Stronghold Program Launches at Range Valley Ranch: A Collaborative Initiative by the Best Defense Foundation (BDF) and Mike Siaperas

Imagine a world where a veteran’s greatest battle isn’t on foreign soil but in the quiet moments of returning home. This is the mission of the Best Defense Foundation—where champions like Donnie Edwards transform compassion into action. Born from the heart of an NFL legend, BDF isn’t just an organization. It’s a brotherhood. With veterans like John Wayne Walding and Alex Buggy helping Donnie with the Stronghold Program, BDF does more than provide resources. They rebuild lives and resurrect hope. Each mentorship and program is a bridge between the intensity of military service and the complexity of civilian life. The numbers tell a devastating story: veterans are 57% more likely to die by suicide than civilians.¹ For those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, up to 20% battle PTSD—an invisible wound that too often leads to tragedy.² While government programs provide essential support, research confirms what we’ve always known: community connection saves lives. This is why programs like Stronghold aren’t just helpful—they’re vital lifelines in our veterans’ ongoing battle for peace at home.

But programs are only theory until they become grounded. That is where Mike Siaperas’ Range Valley Ranch fits into the picture. It is a sanctuary where broken spirits are rebuilt, not with words alone, but with dirt under your feet and purpose in your heart. It isn’t just land—it’s a lifeline—and thanks to the Atlantis USA Foundation and Mike’s Ranch, it is the permanent host to BDF’s Stronghold program.

Mike Siaperas has created more than a ranch, he has engineered a revolution of healing. Here, veterans don’t just recover—they transform. His groundbreaking forest management techniques, noteworthy in their own right, aren’t just saving landscapes; they’re rebuilding lives. Each tree cleared, each acre restored becomes a metaphor for personal restoration in a very real way. Battling overgrown forests becomes a new kind of service, where healing happens naturally, literally and figuratively.

This collaborative effort between BDF and Mike provides a serene setting that serves as both a safe haven and a training ground. Mike, a dedicated conservationist, has developed an innovative “no burn” technology to manage overgrown, fire-prone forests, contributing to environmental sustainability, carbon sequestration and supporting the ranch’s mission. His expertise and commitment significantly enhance the program’s impact.

This unique combination of veteran support and sound forest conservation allows participants to benefit from the program while engaging in meaningful work that improves and restores the surrounding landscape to prime health along with those who come here to participate. BDF and Range Valley Ranch foster a sense of purpose and connection to nature. This partnership not only honors veterans’ service but also empowers them to thrive in a supportive environment, providing the support they need to reintegrate into their communities.

Sources:

Suicide Among Justice-Involved Veterans: Understanding Risk and Meeting Needs. Council on Criminal Justice. https://counciloncj.org/suicide-among-justice-involved-veterans-understanding-risk-and-meeting-needs/#:~:text=Veterans%20are%2057.3%25%20more%20likely,in%20the%20U.S.%20each%20day.
(n.d.). Overview of VA research on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). U.S. Department on Veteran Affairs. https://www.research.va.gov/topics/ptsd.cfm

Stronghold Program Launches at Range Valley Ranch: A Collaborative Initiative by the Best Defense Foundation (BDF) and Mike Siaperas

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