Jake Halpern (Host)

The retreat was organized by a nonprofit called Patrol Base Abate, also known as PB Abate. The founder started the organization because he was concerned about the mental health of veterans and their difficulties readjusting to civilian life. And this was kind of the exact crossroads Dex was at. So she applied to go on one of their all-expense-paid trips to Montana.

The retreat was organized by a nonprofit called Patrol Base Abate, also known as PB Abate. The founder started the organization because he was concerned about the mental health of veterans and their difficulties readjusting to civilian life. And this was kind of the exact crossroads Dex was at. So she applied to go on one of their all-expense-paid trips to Montana.

And that's how she ended up drinking her coffee in Big Sky country with all these other vets and meeting Sarah. What were your first impressions of her at the time?

And that's how she ended up drinking her coffee in Big Sky country with all these other vets and meeting Sarah. What were your first impressions of her at the time?

Keep moving, keep moving. Thank you.

Keep moving, keep moving. Thank you.

person who started these retreats was concerned about all the challenges that vets face as they transition back to civilian life. And he wanted this time in the woods to be healing, transformational even.

person who started these retreats was concerned about all the challenges that vets face as they transition back to civilian life. And he wanted this time in the woods to be healing, transformational even.

Dex says that on this retreat, there were just a few female vets. It was her, Sarah, and another former Marine named Natalie. The three of them worked out together.

Dex says that on this retreat, there were just a few female vets. It was her, Sarah, and another former Marine named Natalie. The three of them worked out together.

So just to recap, here's this woman, Sarah, who at the time was just 30 years old, already a decorated war veteran, strong, modest, quietly brave, sprinting down these mountain trails and giving herself these injections to stem the pain. And on top of it all, she also has stage four lung cancer. Dex had to coax it out of her because Sarah's story came out in dribs and drabs.

So just to recap, here's this woman, Sarah, who at the time was just 30 years old, already a decorated war veteran, strong, modest, quietly brave, sprinting down these mountain trails and giving herself these injections to stem the pain. And on top of it all, she also has stage four lung cancer. Dex had to coax it out of her because Sarah's story came out in dribs and drabs.

And it got more tragic incrementally, like a kettle on a stove that heats up slowly until all of a sudden it starts to boil. So the retreat in Montana comes to an end and the three musketeers say goodbye to one another. They stay in touch. And this, by the way, is exactly the goal of this program. Veterans forming real bonds that last long after the campfire goes out.

And it got more tragic incrementally, like a kettle on a stove that heats up slowly until all of a sudden it starts to boil. So the retreat in Montana comes to an end and the three musketeers say goodbye to one another. They stay in touch. And this, by the way, is exactly the goal of this program. Veterans forming real bonds that last long after the campfire goes out.

A few months after the Montana retreat, in December of 2021, Dex happened to be in Virginia, visiting Arlington National Cemetery. And suddenly, Dex remembers that Sarah's brother was a Marine who was killed in action. So she sends Sarah a text and says she'd like to lay a wreath at his grave. Within minutes, Sarah texts back with a plot number.

A few months after the Montana retreat, in December of 2021, Dex happened to be in Virginia, visiting Arlington National Cemetery. And suddenly, Dex remembers that Sarah's brother was a Marine who was killed in action. So she sends Sarah a text and says she'd like to lay a wreath at his grave. Within minutes, Sarah texts back with a plot number.

But when Dex gets to the grave, she notices that this Marine, he has a different last name than Sarah's. And when she looks up his obituary, she sees that they're not even the same race. When she sends Sarah a picture of the grave, though, Sarah confirms that, yes, this is him.

But when Dex gets to the grave, she notices that this Marine, he has a different last name than Sarah's. And when she looks up his obituary, she sees that they're not even the same race. When she sends Sarah a picture of the grave, though, Sarah confirms that, yes, this is him.

You can hear Dex trying to make sense of this, but she said she didn't ask Sarah too many questions about it.

You can hear Dex trying to make sense of this, but she said she didn't ask Sarah too many questions about it.