TF152 | The 4C Ranch
A note from the Task Force Director.
This week started out as most Task Forces do. Some planning, shopping, packing, and then some volunteers waiting at the bottom of the escalator for a group of America’s Finest. Introductions were made, and the excitement started to grow as we waited for the last bags to get off the carousel. We loaded up and headed east over the pass towards a magical place called the 4C Ranch. This would be our home for the rest of the week.
We pulled off the interstate onto the dirt road, which led us quite a way away from anywhere. Deer and turkeys were trying to find shade in the trees along the road, and we finally pulled through the entrance to the ranch. We downloaded our gear and off-road vehicles and had just enough time to go for a quick drive up the mountain. The view from the top of the hill we parked on was incredible. We got to look at the lay of the land and talk about different activities we would be doing throughout the week. As the sun set, we headed back to the house, had a great dinner, followed by some deep, heartfelt, and very open conversation that set the tone for the week. We had only known each other for less than 12 hours, but we were talking like we had been friends for years.
The next morning, we drove down to one of the beautiful ponds and our Fly-Fishing Master, Gabe, gave a quick instruction on how to fly fish. It did not take this talented group of individuals long before they were hooked! We spent the rest of the day fishing and had lunch in the shade by the pond. We finished the night with some amazing fish tacos, and then the ranch manager, Rob, gave us a tour of some of the parts of the ranch that we hadn’t gotten to see yet.
We woke up the next morning to cold, rainy weather. I was convinced that the guys would want to do some of the indoor activities that we had the opportunity to do, but they said they wanted to just try fishing the creek for maybe an hour or two. Before we knew it, I looked down at my watch and realized it was time to start getting dinner ready. We spent the entire day wading in the creek despite the bad weather conditions. Time had flown by!
Our next day was still gloomy and there was a lot of fog from the storm. We loaded up and left the ranch to drive to Livingston to meet up with our fly-fishing guides. By the time we got the boats launched and started our journey down the Yellowstone River, the sun had baked through the fog and clouds, and it turned out to be a beautiful day. Everyone caught fish, and there were many laughs. We had a great supper at the Rib & Chop, then got back to the ranch a little later. I was shocked when we hadn’t even turned off the van yet, and the guys had grabbed their poles and run off the side of the hill to go try to catch more fish before the last moments of light had left our valley. We had been fishing all day, but the fish were calling! We fished until after it was dark and even ended up catching some amazing trout at night with the fly rods!
Over breakfast the next morning, we talked about all of the options we had for activities. We could shoot clays, pistols, long range, go for a hike, explore the ranch more, and of course, fish. I think by this point you might guess what we ended up doing…. Yep. We went fishing. Although there was some talk about exploring, we decided to explore parts of the creek we hadn’t fished yet. We split up into small groups and decided to tackle different stretches of the creek. As the day went on, we caught fish and had tons of laughs. Partway through the day, a couple of the groups ran into each other and ended up pulling out some camp chairs in a circle. Stories were told, and some of the greatest laughs were had in that circle. It was one of the highlights of the trip. We had our final dinner, and then the guys wanted to get in one last sunset. We drove back up the mountain to take in all the beautiful wonders there were to be seen. On our trip up, we saw a bear and tried to get close enough for a picture of it, but he was a little camera-shy. Sitting on top of the mountain as the sun set in God’s Country was special to all. Montana is truly one of the most amazing places on earth, and we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy it and share it with our country’s finest warriors.
There are no words to describe how special this trip really was to those of us who were lucky enough to be on it. The team of volunteers I had the pleasure of working with was top-notch, and all of them brought some amazing things to share with the recipients. The men we got to serve on our Task Force are some of the most genuine people I have ever met. Although our time together was short, the memories, trust, and friendship we made will be lifelong.
Respectfully,
Brian Nelson
Task Force 152 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Brian Nelson, Task Force Director
Cal Arnold, Assistant Task Force Director
Gabe McMasters
E.R.
Patriots to Thank:
The 4C Ranch & Rob
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Enterprise Rentals
Ron Culver & Melissa Ferraro
Randy Kleinhans
Elizabeth Nelson
Aaron Hagen & Montana Tactical
The Rivers Edge
Stone Glacier
Montana Metal Art
Badger Creek Customs
Madison River Brewing
ANTHEM Snacks
FHF Gear
FlasKap
Graplrz
LMNT
onX
"The week with my BSB TF 152 in Montana is one of the highlights of my life. Bonding with some of America’s finest in the great outdoors was both healing and inspiring.
My time serving in the military has been rewarding but also difficult.
My family and I have exhausted much of our resources in service to the country. It means so much to me that there are people who desire to give back to us.
BSB’s support is not just with thoughts and prayers but also with their presence and friendship. I felt the honest care from our TF Director Brian and his team of volunteers (Gabe, Cal, and E.), as well as the other Active Duty recipients with me.
Like many others, I have suffered the loss of family, friends, and teammates along the way in life.
In 2019 alone, three of my teammates died from combat-related wounds; and my older brother, who also served his country in the Military, died of suicide. Then, just a month before my scheduled week with BSB, my loving Mom died of suicide.
I was crushed. I am so glad my teammates encouraged and pushed me to continue with my planned trip to Montana. I gained friends and some of my strength back. The seven of us bore our hardships with each other, and it showed me that
I am not alone in my pain. The week also reminded me of how good life can be, even in our darkest hours.
New friendships, fly fishing the creeks, Montana sunsets; great food, drinks, and conversation… These memories I will hold close. I am so grateful to serve a country and community that donates their time and money to give back to their military members and families.
Life is hard, but I will press on!
Thank you, Big Sky Bravery, for your help!
-L.”
“Before arriving at the Bozeman airport and meeting the BSB volunteers, I had no idea what I was in for. I genuinely thought it was just an all-expenses-paid trip to get away from work for a week and go fly fishing. Throughout the week, I realized I couldn’t have been more wrong. The first day ended as we watched the sun set from atop a mountain, where we then moved back to the house, and huddled around a table. Brian, the trip director, broke the ice with a question, which he answered with some of the most revealing and personal thoughts and feelings. That moment right there set the tone for the entire trip. Throughout the week, we shared stories and experiences with each other that I know I wouldn’t typically share with anyone, let alone someone I just met.
While I did get expert instruction on fly fishing and have gained a new hobby, I learned a much more profound life lesson. I learned to just relax and enjoy the moment.
I wasn’t worried about being the best, catching the most, or biggest fish (maybe a little), I was just living. I was enjoying the camaraderie, the sound of the water running over the rocks, feeling the light breeze, watching the trout sit right behind a branch waiting for its next meal, and just being in nature so far away from all of the world's problems. My most memorable experience was shortly after I caught a cutthroat trout in the creek, after getting skunked all day, and two of our groups ran into each other, conveniently a little before dinner time. We grabbed a few chairs, gathered around in the shade, and shared stories.
The next day, I was on a plane headed home, but as a new husband and father.
I had 6 new friends, a new hobby/skill, and a level of calm that I have never experienced before. Thank you to everyone from Big Sky Bravery and the donors who made this possible. Keep being the Americans that are worth fighting for!
v/r,
-R.”
"I have been in Special Operations for the last 16 of 21 years in my military career and it seems like there is an unwritten rule that no matter what is going on in your life, mentally or physically, if it doesn't have to do with the mission, you need to shove it down deep inside and deal with it later, if ever.
BSB is so much more than a "vacation"; it's time to heal from whatever is going on in your life.
It's a chance to sit down with other guys who have walked the same walk as you and bring up those feelings and emotions that have been shoved down so deep over the past decade or two. That was the most meaningful and healing thing to me, sitting down and talking about life; the good, the bad, and the ugly. The volunteers are awesome, each bringing their own perspective on life that helped me personally think and work through hard times in my life and what might be the next steps to take once my time in the military is over. I never knew that being out in nature away from the chaos of everyday life could be so beneficial.
I am eternally grateful for Brian, Cal, Gabe, Eliot, and the rest of the BSB staff for caring deeply enough to continue to support those in need like me and the other members of my TF.
To the donors of BSB, words can't express how grateful I am that you support such a meaningful organization. Thank you for what you do to support the members of the Special Operations community.
On the battlefield, we have medics who save us when injured by the enemy. It's nice to know that there are great Americans out there like you and the people of BSB who save us from ourselves while we're home.
-J."
