This secluded spot north of Prosser is where Tri-Cities veterans find refuge
What started as a vision in 2016 to build a place for veterans to escape the city has started to take shape in a dusty rural lot in the Lower Yakima Valley.
The Friends of Disabled Veterans celebrated the opening of a ranch north of Prosser, where veterans and their families can come and take advantage of a lodge, a garden and a traditional archery range.
The 140-acre project is expected to be a place for weekend getaways.
Veterans returning to civilian life can often feel like they don’t fit in anymore, said Khris Beyer, the senior operations director for the nonprofit.
The focus is on the outdoors for hunting, horseback riding, gardening and archery.
“You can get away from it all and unplug,” Beyer said. “It is absolutely stunningly beautiful out here at night and all through the summer. It’s a little chilly in the winter, but it’s beautiful still.”
At the moment, the group has finished an archery range and restrooms. They are hoping to finish a lodge next year and make the entire facility ADA compliant.
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., who has spent years playing host to veterans events across his district, said it was amazing to see so many people came out to support something so necessary.
There are 40,000 veterans in his district.
“They need our help,” Newhouse said. “They were there when we needed them, and we got to be there for them.”
The project started out because of the frustration of group founder Brian Moore, who saw a similar project fold and move out to Montana. He and some others were upset about the project leaving.
“So one disabled vet complained, complained, complained and complained and finally his friend said, ‘Shut up and do something about it,” Beyer said. “So the friend and the disabled vet got together and did this.”
Between spending his own money and donations, Moore was able to secure the land, and the group has had some significant donations that have either donated time, equipment, materials or money.
Some of the donors included Gesa credit union, the Dress family, Ranch & Home, Regal Plumbing and Ray Poland and Sons.
The community has turned out to help make the project come into being. They have had nearly 2,000 hours of donated labor, with a third of it coming from veterans.
“My favorite quote is from a 70% disabled young man (who volunteered). He’s 24 and he said, ‘You know, I don’t donate my time. I’m very selfish with my time. I sacrificed a lot in the military ... and this is what I’m doing.’”
The nonprofit is looking to raise another $400,000 to build the lodge and pave the parking lot, Beyer said.
Anyone interested in donating can to the organization’s website friendsofdisabledveterans.org.
They also plan a golf tournament on Aug. 18 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course, with proceeds going to the shelter.
This story was originally published May 2, 2023 at 5:00 AM.