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

I have been following The Long Trail Home since May, just a few weeks after they left out from Surf City, NC near Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina on horseback. This wasn't something that I had planned on but when my daughter came home from work one day and said that Iron Gait Percheron Horse Rescue was expecting two men to arrive for an overnight stay, every bit of me that's a mother kicked in. I guess moms will understand this. No police officer in the nation will do detective work better than I. The who, what, where, when and why will all be answered!

My daughter had been excited and I had been told all about the coolness of somebody finally doing something of worth to help our returning soldiers and best part for her, these men were using horses to get their message out there. Who are these men?

That evening I pulled my chair up to my computer. It didn't take long at all to find Matt Littrell's name.  I was even able to find his riding partner, Raymond Avery's name too.  Matt and Raymond are from Elbert, Colorado. These two good, honest men are on a mission to help the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. It makes sense that they were traveling across Georgia to get to Camp Pendleton.

Okay, I'll admit that I over reacted a little. Matt and Ray are simply trying to help others that need to be reminded that they did not serve their country in vain.  I do not think anyone should ever be needing reminding but I cherish my freedoms and am thankful to have them and I am especially thankful that Matt has reminded me of what an incredible country this is.  Matt updates The Long Trail Home facebook page regularly so I get to enjoy the horses and the cross country trip.

Please visit The Long Trail Home and make a donation to the Semper Fi Fund through his page.  

Help Save The Horses

I suppose there are people that do not care for horses but I am not one of them.  I do not own a horse and I have only recently learned to say that I have not had the best experiences with horses and yet, they are still able to capture my attention. Because of this, when Iron Gait Percherons Rescue had another open house you can bet your bottom dollar that I went to visit the horses that Iron Gait has rescued.

I'm thrilled to report to you that the horses are doing well.  Maybe there was excitement in the air because Eddie Rigney was visiting to perform a jousting demonstration or perhaps it was because the weather was cooler but the horses were all curious to see their visitors and they seemed pleased to welcome everyone into their home.  I am certain that their behavior is heavily influenced by the rescue's Founder and President, Denise Polydor.

Iron Gait is a nonprofit organization and I would like to ask you to take a minute out of your day to read Denise's story about Noah on facebook.  At the end of the story, there is an option to vote.  It's not difficult but facebook does ask to share your information on this one and it will probably mean that you will get farm ads instead of insurance ads for the next few weeks.  I encourage you to vote for Noah and Iron Gait so that they may possibly be the recipient of a grant from Tractor Supply Co.

I hope Denise does not get upset with me for mentioning her name.  She surely deserves credit for saving these beautiful animals, but she won't like my taking attention away from the horses.