Throughout the park, they saw Yellowstone’s iconic herds of buffalo. The audience of the Cody Nite Rodeo recognized the Freedom Alliance veterans in an resounding ovation of gratitude.Īnother day was spent in Yellowstone National Park, where the Marines visited Excelsior Geyser, Dragon’s Mouth Spring, Artist Point, and Old Faithful. While in town that evening the servicemen attended the rodeo, which is the longest-running in the nation. The most popular with the Marines by far was the Cody Firearms Museum! Four hours later, everyone had caught their share of fish, and two novice fishermen had found a new pursuit.įreedom Alliance organized an expedition one day to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in nearby Cody, a multiplex of five museums dedicated to America’s West. But Frank, at the stables, gave him and another new rider his undivided attention and they embarked on their first trail ride ever.įriends of the ranch manager volunteered their time, equipment, and boats so that the veterans could try out fly fishing on the Shoshone River. One veteran admitted that he’d never been close enough to touch a horse. The Marines enjoyed exploring the ranch on ATVs, as well as in the saddle. The least we could was reunite them with their brothers. These 10 men experienced hell on earth … and survived. There were others, they all said, who were more heroic, who sacrificed more.Īnd yet, when one reads their combat records, you see the wounds, the multiple deployments, the outstanding service. Some hadn’t seen each other in years, and, despite horrific shared memories of combat, the laughter and storytelling started up right away.Īt various points throughout the trip, each guest said he did not deserve this kind of treat. From Chicago and Baton Rouge, as well as the states of California, Texas, Florida and more, these Marines from all parts of the country had a common bond…įallujah-the bloodiest engagement of the war. The 10 men we selected for this getaway seemed to immediately relax and settle into the beauty surrounding the Double E Ranch. Ranch owners Erik and Stacy and their family acted as welcome committee, hospitality executives, and new best friends. Ranch manager Troy arranged and guided daytime activities for the Marines. The Double E’s “horse whisperer” Frank provided breathtaking trail rides and one-on-one instruction. Head chef Coletta and her kitchen staff prepared fantastic meals. The two months during which this campaign was fought are considered the most intense of the Iraqi War.įast forward twelve years, and some wonderful folks in Wyoming, the owners and staff of the Double E Ranch, invited Freedom Alliance to use their property to provide a vacation for Marine Corps veterans of Operation Phantom Fury and Fallujah.Īctually, not only did they donate the ranch and its resources for this purpose, but they volunteered themselves, as well. Operation Phantom Fury, also called the Second Battle of Fallujah, was a 2004 joint offensive of American, Iraqi, and British forces, led by the United States Marine Corps.
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