MAKE AN IMPACT

First, thanks for even taking the time to visit our page and look us over. We appreciate in these busy times your interest in helping stop suicide in our brave warriors. So, some transparency and history first. 

Downrange Warriors started 7 years ago to save one combat veteran who had just gotten his 3rd DUI. Offering help was the desire of a civilian friend of his with a servants heart but he realized he needed combat veteran help to break through. After multiple requests, an experienced but hesitant combat veteran came along side and with God’s help and direction facilitated the young soldier to see there was a future for him in civilian life. It grew from that beginning to a multi-state organization helping hundreds of veterans and first responders struggling with thoughts of suicide. That civilian had to back away because hanging around these hard and wounded warriors gave him and his family PTSD. He had that kind of heart. The old combat veteran that wouldn’t help in the beginning has led the organization ever since.

The annual number of suicides varies around 20-22 veterans killing themselves every single day. That amounts to over 8,000 per year. Tragically 2,605 lives were lost on 911. You can see the disturbing difference.  That total doesn’t even account for the first responder suicides that are at least in the hundreds and probably thousands annually. That horrifying number represents a lost person but more so a permanently damaged spouse and family. The ripple effect is brutal, multi-generational and permanent. Children don’t only develop emotional problems but are forever scarred going into future relationships and careers…becoming multi-generational.

The DW team discovered we have a system and format that produces real change in the lives of those we serve. It seemed just normal to us, but it appears our two prong approach is unusual and amazingly effective.  We are often asked what our secret is.  

First, we only provide teaching and leading through individuals who have really been there so to speak, and have the credentials to be in the conversation. Combat veterans help veterans and experienced first responders help first responders whether law enforcement medical EMT’s or PA’s or Doctors. We often say you don’t know what you are talking about until you have been there and seen death or thought you were going to die. We have learned that really traumatized folks simply won’t open up to another person, no matter what their heart attitude or education, unless that person has been in the same frightening environment they have experienced.

Second, we are faith based. We have learned through experience that we can’t catalyze real healing by ourselves. We must have help from within…and above. We have heard it said that DW can help folks on the outside if they will let God help on the inside. We have seen multiple miracles in the most hardened hearts and see men and women go from suicidal to leading joyful lives while providing for and leading their families.  These are veterans and responders that have been in multiple other programs. The record is attending 17 other programs with no long-term results. God is the difference. God had called the leadership team to do this most difficult and dangerous work because we believe if He leads us to it, He will lead us through it. God truly provides the miraculous healings we see on a weekly basis. That is truth!