Welcome

I am a mom of a veteran that took his own life. For months, I felt that I didnt have anyone to talk to that would understand what I'm feeling. I felt isolated, my feelings were abnormal, and couldn't explain the hole in my soul. This grief was different than a parent, grandparents or friends. I went to my first retreat focused on mothers of veteran suicide eleven months after my son died. I found a connection with mothers that were thinking the same thoughts that I was feeling. I could talk about this hole in my soul, and they understood. I understood them. I no longer felt alone or abnormal. This group and retreat saved my mental health.  This group is like no other and it focuses on a mothers grief in a way that no other group can come close. Thank you, Michele, for this group and the retreats.

I was lost and found MOVS. I felt alone and devastated but when Michele reached out about the MOVS22 retreat I felt I needed to go but had no way until she sponsored me. Upon arrival I met her and Joy ! I was welcomed with open arms and nothing but acceptance. Once at the house I was greeted by two other moms Lula and Judy, they hugged me, and I cried. I was so guarded and hiding my grief and pain before but while there I felt nothing but love, understanding and healing! I made new sisters and received tools for healing! I’m so beyond grateful for MOVS and believe that if it wasn’t for this retreat, I’d be still in the dark place I was and struggling. Don’t get me wrong I still struggle but now I have a support system to help me because I’m not alone and have women, mothers who know my pain and help me get through! 

I loved the retreat that National Veterans Resources hosted for us Mothers of Veteran suicide. I finally felt seen, heard, understood and validated. Not like a outsider. I felt like I could finally be myself. The Air B&B was fabulously vintage. It had a huge fire pit with Adirondack chairs. I loved hanging at your house with Randy’s fabulous Italian cuisine. Doing Brett’s breath work and doing face masks with the moms. It was so beautiful that day in the kayaks, but I was terrified! Shopping and lunch in your quaint little town I also enjoyed immensely

with the girls. I loved being able to pour my heart out to you on the beach that day. You have a way of making everyone feel cared about and feel safe enough to open up to. To make us all feel heard and loved. You and your mission mean the world to me. Wherever you travel in the hero mobile know that my Son rides shotgun on your ribbon watching over you!

Thank you for all you do for us! It means everything to me! I look forward to meeting more moms and sharing with the newer ones how I made it through six years of grief. To be happy again!

 Being able to attend the Mothers of Veteran Suicide (MOVS) retreat was a life saver for many of us mothers. My combat veteran son had died on October 25, 2021. I was new to this unbearable heartache and was looking for resources to help me deal with what I was feeling. My child was a piece of me that now was no longer there and my own mental health had taken a tail spin into depression.

I came upon the MOVS Facebook page, which I quickly joined. After a conversation with Michele, she invited me to the retreat. After a couple of days of praying, I took a leap of faith and decide to attend the retreat, even though I did not know Michele very well. We now are wonderful friends!

Getting to know other mothers who we can connect with anytime has provided a level of comfort that you just cannot get from other sources. At the MOVS Retreat, we showed support, love and encouragement to each other. We shared our heartache, feelings, and positive thoughts to uplift each. We shared laughter and tears. And created bonds with one another.

None of us want to be a part of this group, but we are thankful that we have it. It helps us to get through the days when grief is overwhelming, and on days when our heart muscles are stronger, we help other mothers who are in need. 

Your support of the retreat will allow the mothers of 22 Veterans A Day to gather and continue their healing. Additionally, because we as mothers are supported, we are more readily able to help support our own families. 

Joy Kubat, Mother of SGT. Wesley "Snipes" Kubat; Minnesota National Guard 2000-2011; member of the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association (CVMA) 48-7; and chapter commander of CVMA 48-7A