Veterans Find Connection and Healing at RCN’s 2025 Veterans Retreat

Fourteen veterans gathered for a weekend of rest, reflection, and recovery at The McIver Retreat Center in Wayzata, MN, from April 25–27, 2025. Hosted by Recovery Community Network (RCN), the 2025 Veterans Retreat was designed as a healing and empowering experience that honored the strength and service of each participant. Through storytelling, shared meals, therapeutic activities, and quiet moments of reflection, veterans found the space to connect with others and themselves.

Funded generously by Tee It Up for the Troops and the DHS State Opioid Response, the retreat created an environment where every group activity was optional and every voice was valued. Veterans participated in mindfulness practices, acupuncture, peer-led recovery meetings, and creative workshops that acknowledged the complexity of their journeys.

“This retreat was about giving our veterans the chance to breathe, reflect, and be supported without pressure,” said Katie Blue, Executive Director of Recovery Community Network. “For many, it was the first time in a long time that they could just focus on themselves—not as soldiers, not as survivors, but as human beings worthy of peace and purpose.”

Retreat Highlights

Friday Evening: Connection Begins Veterans arrived to a warm welcome, social hour, and shared dinner, followed by a lighthearted icebreaker and an All Recovery Meeting. The night concluded with optional meditation or prayer, offering space for quiet restoration.
Saturday: Healing Through Body, Mind, and Story The day began with sunrise meditation or prayer, leading into a powerful acupuncture session with Major (Ret.) Kristine Fumia, a 20-year Air Force veteran turned healer. Her approach honors veterans’ physical and emotional pain with gentle, non-invasive care.

Later, Dr. James Tuorila, retired clinical psychologist and VFW National Surgeon General, spoke on PTSD, recovery, and the enduring strength of the veteran spirit. As a decorated speaker and founder of the POW-MIA hot air balloon Freedom Flight Inc., Dr. Tuorila’s insights carried both gravity and hope.

The afternoon brought hands-on experiences:

Dan Hughes, former U.S. Secret Service agent and CEO of Dogs for Defense, shared how trained K-9s are transforming veteran safety and well-being.
Matthew Skipper, Army veteran and founder of Combat to Creative, led a powerful workshop on using photography and creativity to reclaim mental and emotional wellness.

The evening wrapped with a movie, games, and continued social connection.

Sunday: Closing with Clarity and Care

The final morning featured a closing All Recovery Meeting and a heartfelt wrap-up led by Katie Blue and Robert. Veterans returned home with new tools, new friendships, and a renewed sense of hope. Looking AheadRCN remains committed to fostering spaces of belonging, especially for those who’ve served and are now seeking peace on the home front. Through retreats like this, we aim to bridge gaps between service, recovery, and community—and we’re just getting started.