Valhalla Ranch, Matt and Kristen

With Independence Day arriving my thoughts have been with Matt Littrell of The Long Trail Home. I still follow The Long Trail Home facebook page and keep up with Matt an his new wife, Kristen through social media. Matt and Kristen have been quite busy since they settled in their new home.

Horse Nation published a nice article in December of 2014 about Matt's journey.  

It will bring you up to date.  

Recognizing that the VA is backlogged and not properly staffed Matt started Valhalla Ranch as a retreat for veterans.  This retreat is everything dreams are made of including beautiful sunsets.  

Kristen established a gofundme page for Valhalla Ranch to help raise money to complete the ranch. Your donation would be greatly appreciated.  

If you find that you're questioning about donating directly to benefit Valhalla Ranch, please donate to the Semper Fi Fund.  Our veterans need our help to regain their independence.

Thank you.

Personal note: I first learned of Matt's mission in May of 2014.  

I just shake my head when I think of learning about him because I 

do not want to admit that I was the fool, but I was.

Seriously, I watch Cops but always know the answer 

before the criminal says a word!

(Reference my blog blog of August 2014.)

 In Matt's case, I am sure that if he had made the 

slightest wrong move I would have caught it.

I will forever call attention to the fact that

Matt Littrell continually exceeds my expectations.

I could not be more proud of the fact that 

Mr. and Mrs. Littrell are continue to focus on 

their mission to help veterans.

The Long Trail Home Leads To Valhalla Ranch

Matt Littrell of The Long Trail Home has been on my mind.  He is now working to construct Valhalla Ranch, a small sanctuary for veterans that are affected by PTSD.  You know how I feel about that term but Matt doesn't care because he knows that post traumatic stress is a problem and he wants to help other veterans grow beyond it.

The other day I told somebody that they needed to get MADD to correct a problem they were having and that's exactly what Matt did.  He got MADD when one of his friends took their own life.  I didn't advise Matt to get MADD but that's what he did, he made a damn decision and started to work on Valhalla Ranch.  Good for you, Mr. Littrell!

I'm assuming that this was quite a shock to Matt's soon to be wife, Kristen.  Sure, Kristen was fine with supporting Matt in his dream of building a ranch where veterans could visit to clear the cobwebs from their mind, but the shock and pain pushed him beyond his having a dream and he started to work to turn his dream in to a reality.  Not an easy job for a young couple, but they have a mission.

Matt and Kristen could use your help.  Kristen has set up a gofundme page for Valhalla Ranch and it would be great if you would donate.  Seriously, they're needing 30K for this mission.  You're supporting the construction of bunk houses and fencing for the horses that Matt and Kristen have trained.

Thirty-thousand dollars and yet we sit around and say, "What's wrong with the younger generation?" Maybe the answer is that we have isolated ourselves so much that we won't believe in anybody from the younger generation.

C'mon, Matt set out to cross the United States on horseback and he did. Need more proof? Okay, it's on Kristen's shoulders.  She believed in his mission, stuck with him on The Long Trail Home and is training the horses that will be used on the ranch.  I guess she does some of that domestic dolly junk like cooking and cleaning too because it appears to me from the pictures she posts that there isn't a pizza shop very close to the ranch.  You can follow them on Twitter at MK Horsemanship or keep up with Matt and Kristen on facebook to watch their progress.

Most importantly, please donate to Valhalla Ranch through the gofundme page.  It's about freedom from miserable memories.
 

As of today, there is no news to report about the recovery of the saddle stolen from The Long Trail Home.  The media in Phoenix did a report about the missing saddle but I guess somebody needed it more than Matt, even though it was very personal to him.  The team is less than 400 miles from Camp Pendleton and I am sure he has raised awareness of veterans and their needs after returning home after deployment.  

Before Matt started his ride I hadn't really heard much about the Semper Fi Fund.  In the past few months I have taken the time to learn more about the organization.  It was refreshing to learn that the Semper Fi Fund has been awarded the highest rating from watch dog groups for charities and though some may immediately assume that they only provide help only to Marines, they actually work with all service branches and retired service members.  

Please donate to The Long Trail Home fund raising page.

Missing Saddle, Believed to be Stolen From The Long Trail Home

While camping in Payson, Arizona a saddle belonging to Matt Littrell of The Long Trail Home was stolen from a campsite at the Payson Rodeo Grounds sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2014.

If anyone has information in regard to the missing saddle please contact Chief of Police Donald B. Engler at (928) 474-5177.

Please share so the saddle can be recovered.

The Long Trail Home fundraiser for Semper Fi Fund

The Long Trail Home facebook page

~Thank you