Operation Resilience: 1-17 IN

“A lot of military guys go through things and they bury it. Then it manifests itself later in life through family and relationships. You see guys really fall apart. OpRes helps them see they are not alone in having those struggles.”

- Veteran Brian Giroux

 The Independence Fund reunited the US Army Veterans of 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment (1-17 IN) through the Operation Resilience (OpRes) program in November thanks to generous sponsors and donors. 

1-17 IN, a storied unit based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, endured unparalleled challenges in 2009. Deployed to the heart of combat in Afghanistan's Arghandab River Valley during Operation Enduring Freedom, these brave heroes faced unimaginable adversity, losing 22 men in a single year. 

Upon returning, the group lost more than a dozen more members to Veteran suicide.

The OpRes program reunites military units to foster peer support and connection through the bond of brotherhood. OpRes offers a powerful solution to combat PTSD and Veteran suicide, helping Veterans to understand it is okay to not be okay.  

The 1-17 IN members who attended each left the retreat with more support, resources and connections than before. Their journey does not stop here, and the road to recovery will continue throughout their lives.

With your help, The Independence Fund will continue to support these heroes through the OpRes program and more. Those who complete the program say it not only changes lives, it saves them.

Your Support Matters 

The Independence Fund absorbs the full cost of OpRes retreats – the Veterans pay nothing out of pocket to attend. The Independence Fund can only make events like this possible with the help of proud supporters like you.  

Help raise $100,000 to facilitate the next OpRes retreat and help to prevent Veteran suicide.