A note from the Task Force Director.

When I was asked to serve as the Task Force Director for TF 183, I felt humbled, honored, and incredibly grateful. I have volunteered with Big Sky Bravery before, but leading a Task Force carries a different level of responsibility. My hope was simple: create an environment where four extraordinary members of the Special Operations community could set aside the demands of life for a few days, enjoy Montana, build new friendships, and simply be themselves.

Like most every Task Force, our week began with airport pickups, lunch at Big Sky Bravery headquarters, swag bags, staff introductions, and the beautiful drive through Gallatin Canyon to our home in Big Sky. As we wound our way through one of the most breathtaking stretches of Montana, conversations started naturally. Four recipients and three volunteers—most of whom had never met before—began what would become a week none of us will ever forget.

Each morning started around the breakfast table with a home-cooked meal before heading out on another adventure. Those breakfasts became more than just fuel for the day. They became a place where friendships grew stronger and conversations became more meaningful with every passing morning.

Our first adventure took us down the Gallatin River through the famous Magic Mile. Charging through House Rock and the whitewater rapids delivered plenty of adrenaline, laughter, and more than a few soaked clothes. That evening we experienced another Montana tradition at the LMR Rodeo. One of our recipients entered the crowd favorite "Run for Your Boots" competition. Watching him refuse to quit, push through, and ultimately come away with the win was a perfect reminder that the competitive spirit of these warriors never takes a day off.

The adventures continued as we explored Montana's backcountry with Canyon Adventures, spending the day carving mountain trails in side-by-sides, sharing lunch overlooking the mountains, and enjoying great conversation with owner Ed, whose hospitality perfectly reflected the spirit of Montana. We capped off the evening with an incredible dinner at the Auric Room, where the conversations around the table were every bit as memorable as the meal itself.

If I had to choose one moment that captured the joy of the week, it would have been our day on the Upper Madison River. Every one of our recipients caught trout on a fly rod for the very first time. Watching those smiles, hearing the laughter echo across the river, and seeing grown men celebrate each other's success like lifelong friends was something I'll never forget. Those smiles may have been the highlight of my week. Fishing was followed by a personal tour of Willie’s Distillery by Willie himself, whom I would like to personally thank for taking the time to make this special.

Our final full day brought us to Ennis Lake, where another first awaited. Every recipient learned to wake-surf while others carved across the lake on jet skis. A special thank you to Wes for taking the day off work to ensure our recipients had a great time. Between the mountains, the crystal-clear water, elk burgers on the grill, horseshoes on the lawn, and conversations on the shoreline, it was one of those rare days where nobody seemed to care what time it was. We were simply enjoying each other's company, soaking in every remaining moment together.

The last day is always the hardest day.

It's the day hugs replace handshakes, contact information is exchanged one last time, and we watch these remarkable men board flights back to their families. Every Task Force begins with strangers meeting at an airport, but it always ends the same way—with family saying goodbye.

To my fellow volunteers, Justin and Todd, thank you from the bottom of my heart. We had never served together before this week, but your dedication, generosity, and friendship helped create an experience that I know changed lives—including mine.

To our recipients, thank you for your trust, your honesty, your courage, your vulnerability, and your friendship. You serve this country with quiet professionalism and extraordinary sacrifice. It was our privilege to serve you this week. I know in my heart that the bonds created during Task Force 183 will last a lifetime.

Finally, to everyone who supports Big Sky Bravery—whether through volunteering, donating, or simply believing in its mission—thank you. None of this happens without you. The adventures are incredible, but they are simply the backdrop. The true gift is giving these men a place to reconnect, laugh, decompress, and realize they are never alone.

To the entire Big Sky Bravery team, thank you for trusting me to lead Task Force 183. It is an honor I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Respectfully,

Mark Renner
Task Force 183 Director

Volunteers to thank

Mark Renner, Task Force Director
Todd Frediani, Assistant Task Force Director
Justin Sabo

Patriots to thank

Canyon Adventures
East Slope Outfitters
Hunter Parks
Lone Mountain Ranch
Moonlight Basin
Rich Searle
Stone Glacier
Welcome Bag Patriots: Alpine Dentistry, Anthem Snacks, FHF Gear, Graplrz, LMNT, Melissa Ferraro, onX Maps, River's Edge West, & Wild Society Coffee.

“To all the donors and staff at Big Sky Bravery,

My absolute gratitude and appreciation for an unforgettable week. Stepping away from the demands and responsibilities of everyday life and spending time with fellow veterans is a gift that is difficult to put into words. The opportunity to reconnect with nature, build meaningful friendships with men who share similar experiences, and simply be present without the weight of daily obligations was both restorative and inspiring. Because of your generosity, I left Montana with a renewed perspective, lasting friendships, and a deep appreciation for the incredible work you do to support Veterans. Thank you for investing in us and making a profound difference in our lives."

-TF183 Recipient

"Being around like-minded individuals at BSB was transformative for me. It made me realize that I’m not alone, and the brotherhood we formed over the week was truly remarkable."

-TF183 Recipient

“To the crew at BSB,

The week-long experience I was afforded as a result of your collective, ongoing, and generous efforts has been truly humbling. This has been my first exposure to any organization that aims to support the groups that you do, and I am beyond thankful for the opportunity you and your staff provided. I am not proud that I have found it far too easy to readily dismiss any passing “thank you for what you do” comments as simple, obligatory platitudes, but what I cannot dismiss is the commitment, generosity, and selflessness of your organization, volunteers, and donors. Simply seeing, let alone being the recipient of, that level of altruism made me take a step back and realize that there are people out there who genuinely appreciate individuals doing the work that we would have done for free. Having a week of zero responsibility is not something I would have ever anticipated, but it came at the right time for me. Thank you beyond words for what you have provided and continue to strive towards.”

-TF183 Recipient

"Big Sky Bravery was an incredible experience that came at just the right time in my life. From the very beginning, it was an incredibly welcoming environment. It didn’t matter who we were or where we came from, the staff and volunteers were genuinely happy to have us there.

Through the events and guided discussions throughout the week, I was able to step back, reset, and change the way I approach some of the challenges in my life. The volunteers were amazing. They seemed to know exactly when to help our group feel comfortable enough to dive deeper into a conversation and when to simply give us the space to work through things in our own way.

I left Big Sky Bravery feeling refreshed and mentally reset. That experience has helped me become a better husband, father, and teammate.

I owe a huge thank you to Big Sky Bravery and all of the incredible volunteers who made the experience what it was. I’m truly grateful for the time, effort, and care they put into the entire week. Thank you!"

-TF183 Recipient