SALT LAKE CITY — Sometimes only another veteran can understand why a soldier might feel guilty when a civilian wants to thank him for his service.
Sometimes it’s only another veteran who relates to the moral battle that rages inside a person’s heart long after he’s left the battlefield.
And sometimes only a person who’s seen the gut-wrenching realities of war can offer any kind of solace to one who struggles to keep those images in perspective or at bay.
And while most veterans simply want to move on after they’ve served their country, many have come to realize that is easier said than done.
Which is why Ben Bateman founded Sportsmen for Warriors, a group that aims to heal and help those who’ve served with the support of both veterans and civilians.
“We want to honor and respect the tremendous sacrifices our warriors face on a daily basis, and the sacrifices of their families,” said Bateman, a former Army Special Forces “Green Beret” Ranger, combat veteran and graduate of West Point Military Academy. “We do that through three pillars — enrichment, which is hunting, fishing, once-in-a-lifetime activities and recreational activities; education and employment, getting veterans and their families jobs; and engagement, which is where we bring people together to share their stories.”
The Second Annual Warrior Weekend this Saturday, May 2, at the Mower Residence in Springville is an opportunity for the year-old group to do all three of those things. The dinner will feature the stories of several local veterans, country musician Craig Morgan, who is a veteran of the U.S. Army, and Medal of Honor Recipient Clint Romesha.
“It’s a fundraiser,” Bateman said of the event, “but it’s also a chance where we can engage and share the stories of the veterans.”
Bateman hopes that the night educates civilians on the struggles veterans face both while serving and long afterward. Some may be moved to help by offering financial support or opportunities for veterans and their families.
The group offers experiences like hunting and fishing excursions, as Bateman mentioned, as well as working with college and professional athletes and teams. In fact, the types of sporting experiences are limited only by the generosity of donors.
For example, supercross/motocross racer Landon Powell invited several veterans to work as mechanics with his crew. And while he intended the experience to be a thank you to the veterans, he told Bateman it was also a profound experience for him and his staff because of what they learned from those who’ve served.
Bateman said that’s a common theme. Those who offer the opportunities to veterans often end up feeling like they benefited more from their association with the men and women than their kindness benefited the warrior. But make no mistake, Bateman said, supporting veterans, with time and/or money, can save lives.
Veterans groups estimate 22 veterans per day commit suicide.
Bateman added that part of the problem is that the experience of serving in the military is so foreign to most people.
“About 11 percent of the population served in World War II,” he said. “About 4 percent of the population served in Vietnam. Just .5 percent of people have served in combat since 9/11.”
That means fewer people can relate to what veterans deal with on a daily basis.
“We have this shared (experience),” he said. “It does change us; it does change who we are. It challenges us. We see things that the average person doesn’t see.”
He said that while experts estimate just 20 percent of veterans suffer from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), most veterans struggle with other issues from survivor’s guilt to fear of being judged for actions they fought to save their own lives and those of the people with whom they served.
“A lot of it is something you’re not comfortable talking about,” he said.
Bateman said that getting veterans together allows them to heal each other, and the civilians that participate offer them opportunities that they may not otherwise be able to afford.
Most of the first-year experiences have focused on hunting and fishing because Bateman said there is something healing about the outdoors.
“There is something tranquil and calming about getting outdoors and getting away,” he said.
Saturday’s event is open to the public with tickets starting at $50 for active duty military/veterans and their spouses. Non-military dinner for two is $250, while a dinner for eight is $1,000. There is also a package that allows for a private meeting with Romesha and Morgan. For more information go to www.sportsmenforwarriors.org.
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