Operation Freedom Bird

UPDATE (7/18/2013) - We have raised over $15,000 toward the total of at least $35,000 needed to insure we're able to take 50 Veterans on the 2013 Healing Journey this fall. $20,000 left to go. Please give generously!

Operation Freedom Bird provides a unique “Healing Journey” for Arizona's combat Veterans of all wars, giving them an opportunity to confront their feelings, share their experiences, and pay tribute to their fallen comrades-in-arms in a supportive environment of fellow Veterans and trained/concerned counselors.

The Healing Journey is an annual four-day visit to our nation’s capitol over the Veteran’s Day holiday.  50 combat veterans from throughout Arizona are selected to participate every year by trained veteran counselors, several traveling with the Vets on their journey. Visits to the war memorials
on the National Mall and Arlington National Cemetery highlight the trip. Dignitaries representing various branches of the military welcome participants to a special Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, “The Wall”. Through the process of sharing their personal challenges and experiences with fellow vets and confronting their own lingering emotions, these warriors pay tribute to their fallen comrades and often find closure to their own emotional war wounds.

Trained counselors from Vet Centers and other programs play an important role in the selection of Veterans who are already in counseling and are prepared to make the journey. The culturally diverse candidates from all walks of life include men and women who are in ongoing treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a result of their
service to our country. Several trained counselors join the Veterans in Washington DC to provide leadership and emotional support throughout the trip. Follow up sessions are held for all participants as well as their family members who may notice changes after their loved one returns home.

At the end of the Healing Journey, veterans are treated to a full-blown “Welcome Home Ceremony” with family, volunteers and officials at the Southwest Airlines hangar. This is a powerful finish to an emotional journey for the veterans, most of whom never experienced a heartfelt
welcome home by fellow Americans.

Operation Freedom Bird has a budget of under $80,000 per year. Overhead expenses are kept at a minimum. Southwest Airlines generously underwrites airfare for all participants covering $25,000 of budget expense. Other expenses include meals and double occupancy hotel rooms for four days/three nights (approx $550 per person), ground transportation and other incidental expenses. 

In addition to the generous support of Southwest Airlines, funds are raised through corporate sponsorships and donations, an annual Heroes Breakfast fundraiser, golf tournaments and other smaller fundraisers held by generous
individuals who understand the valuable impact the organization provides in the process of healing for our veterans.

Hundreds of volunteers, including many former Healing Journey participants and Southwest Airlines employees contribute generously of their time and energy to the organization.