Peaceful MIND Veterans Adventures: Heroes helping heroes
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REEDSVILLE -- What comes to mind when you think of a hero? Is it bravery, commitment, unrelenting sacrifice? What happens to the heroes when they are no longer needed? When it comes to the members of our military that served so selflessly, it seems most of the world forgets about them.
One Mifflin County man is doing everything in his power to make sure these forgotten heroes stay connected and remembered. Dan Bishop is a medically-retired army veteran who lives in Reedsville and spends some of his time as a volunteer firefighter. The other part of his free time is spent doing everything he can for veterans.
Bishop served a total of 22 years in the United States Military. For 14 of those years he was Active Guard Reserve (AGR). Bishop also took part in a 2009 deployment that sent him to Iraq.
Bishop explained that during Covid, group therapies for veterans had stopped and they were only able to do individual therapy online. Eventually group therapy did return in the form of a zoom call, but that wasn’t the connection these veterans needed. They were suffering from a severed connection to resources, outlets, connections and camaraderie.
“What is a veteran and what makes them so special?” Bishop explained that this is the question with which he starts all his presentations.
“A veteran, they say, is someone who at some point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount up to and including their life. They serve to protect us as a country, and they serve to protect their loved ones including their brothers and sisters in uniform. These veterans make sacrifices throughout their service whether in time of peace or war. They deal with family separation, isolated tours of duty, missing family events and important milestones, long hours with no extra pay and are often put into dangerous circumstances.”
Bishop realized one day that the online group therapies were not helping him, that he needed more. Knowing that about himself, he discussed with his family that there were probably others out there that weren’t being helped in the way they needed. Bishop knew he wanted to have a way for veterans to connect for a positive therapeutic release, so he began getting a few veterans together for coffee.
This small meeting for a coffee and discussion was advertised on social media. What happened next is nothing short of amazing. Word of mouth began to spread, and the coffee trips with a couple veterans turned into a coffee social happening on the first Wednesday of every month, allowing veterans of every branch and era to sit and enjoy the company of others who can understand what they have been through.
Bishop then decided he wanted to share his love of fishing with some of his fellow veterans. Family and friends began donating over time and Bishop was able to supply all fishing necessities to those who wanted to fish with him. He would reach out to veterans and see if they wanted to take a few hours to go fishing. Bishop supplied the bait, the rods, everything but the waders.
In July and September of 2023 Bishop had raised enough funds that he was able to organize two separate fishing charters at Raystown. He sent two groups of five to the lake to enjoy a day of fishing with brothers. Everything the veterans needed was supplied and paid for thanks to Bishop and his group, Peaceful MIND Veterans Adventures.
Bishop said they enjoyed the trip so much he wanted to start working towards more activities like the Raystown fishing trip. Bishop was able to organize a hunting trip with several veterans. He supplied the gas money for six veterans to go pheasant hunting with Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 at Delps hunting ground in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
“There are over 16.5 million living veterans today and over 1.2 million deceased veterans in the United States,” Bishop added. “Over 30% of veterans have some type of disability as a result of their service. It’s important to remember not all wounds are visible. They may face an underlying health problem, PTSD or other mental health issues, issues with readjusting to civilian life, marital problems, or even employment issues.”
Bishop started talking and planning with a friend who runs a local cheer team. The team began taking donations and in December 2023, Peaceful MIND threw a Christmas party for a group of veterans who reside in a nursing facility. The donations were given to these veterans as Christmas presents, making sure they know they are remembered.
“A lot of veterans don’t share details about their combat tours,” Bishop explained. “But veterans are more willing to talk to other veterans because they can relate to each other. There are many things we miss as veterans. We miss the clear sense of purpose while serving, we miss the act of serving others, being a part of something bigger than ourselves. But we also miss the brotherhood, having a sense of belonging and knowing someone is always there to watch your back.”
Peaceful MIND Veterans Adventures is a small nonprofit in our area. Bishop is hoping to grow by donations. He is also positive that through word of mouth, the number of veterans who are aware his program exists will grow as well. Through social media and word of mouth, Bishop has already done much for those who served.
Some things Bishop would like to try and do when funds are available include more fishing, hunting, riding ATV’s, small hikes, lunch get-togethers, small cookouts, trips to the Pennsylvania Military Museum, Gettysburg and Army Heritage Days at the Carlisle barracks. Most importantly, he hopes to provide a safe space and company for anyone who wants to just sit and talk.
The veterans are never asked to help cover any expenses associated with the events Bishop plans for them. Bishop takes care of the monetary side of the event and hopes the veterans can have a worry-free day to relax their mind and enjoy time spent with their peers.
“Please remember,” Bishop explained, when asked what our community can do to help him and help the veterans. “We walk among your ranks every day, and a simple thank you goes a long way for a veteran.”
If you see a veteran, thank them, and if you know a veteran who is struggling with any aspect of life, you or them can reach out to Dan Bishop of Peaceful MIND Veterans Adventures and take the first step toward peace of mind.
For more information on Peaceful MIND Veterans Adventures, to donate or to reach out, call (717) 953-5543 or email peacefulmindveterans@gmail.com.