What Participants Have to Say

Mil-Tree is an exceptional program for the community and its service members. As a former first responder and veteran I can find myself in isolation when I am not feeling up to life. However, Mil-Tree provides an option to living through its many artistic and creative outlets. I never knew that I had the capability to access those parts of me, and it has been eye opening and has breathed a new possibilities into my life. 

– Nadia Clark, Captain in Army Reserves and First Responder as Sergeant in Oakland Police Department 

The Tapestry program helped to pull me out of a dark place of isolation and depression that I had been suffering through for some time.  The retreat provided me an opportunity to share in community the stories and military experiences that I had been afraid to speak of.  It allowed me to be vulnerable and express myself through art, as well as to listen empathetically and learn from others.  The workshops, rehearsals, and final performance created space for camaraderie and creative expression that I will forever treasure.

– Omar Columbus, Air Force. E-6 

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the organizers at Mil-Tree. Although I had been aware that Mil-Tree has been around for sometime I only recently started  participating in a few events. These events have not only enriched me with fulfilling some passions I’ve always dreamt about, such as acting and writing, the larger reward has been meeting some very outstanding individuals. I have connected with people in this community, the Morongo basin, but also with persons from all over Southern California and even further. To actually meet people within a mile of my house and to discover they have the same dreams and aspirations is so very exciting. It’s so very nice to call or text someone and we meet for a hike or a meal and excitedly talk about the next workshop or event. Thank you for enriching my life.​

– Mark Grden, USMC Veteran/community member 

“Mil-Tree has created a platform for veterans in which I can participate, volunteer, or lead life changing workshops. They have found a way to tap into the core of what our veterans need, to be heard and to again feel productive. Through art and open nonjudgmental communications, Mil-Tree’s constant  support to me has improved my spirits and helped me remember how much of an impact one positive person or group can make in the lives of others.”

– Richard Finn, United States Army Veteran      

“I was truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in the movement workshop with Mil-Tree. This experience helped me to remember my own personal resilience and created a safe space to explore rebuilding trust in our communities”

– Sonia Johnson, United States Army Veteran

“We created a safe place. Veterans with civilians right there with us, where it was possible for us to risk writing about the wounds we brought back from war. As we rode on the blessings from our rituals to beauty and grief, I tore off 95 pounds of armor I no longer needed. At long last I finally accepted the gift of welcome home.”

– Dr. Scott Pengelly lieutenant in the USS Navy, navigator of the USS Rushmore, in two tours in the Middle East: 1964 – 1970