b'U . S .M i l i t a r ylimited to those who lived through warthe effects now known as PTSD. What mightRedford Ranch Wellness Center: Rendering of the 20,000-square-foot rehabilitation and vocational be different in Gresenzs generation of warriors were the missed and mis-diagnosis oftraining center for recovering veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty. The founda-physical injuries ranging from orthopedic and neurological, in his case, compoundedtion has purchased the five-acre site near Aransas Pass and is raising funds to build the center.with layer after layer of medications that introduce new side effects and new problems.Throughout the difficult and perilous years that followed his return from Iraq, and then the loss of his Marine brother and best friend to suicide, Gresenz pursued the calling to help others escape the sad reality that he and so many others were facing. After discovering kayak fishing as his route to peace and sanity, he became certified as a guide and began to take his brethren military members and first responders who were dealing with the same difficulties. In that effort, he found the purpose that would extend his recovery and make it permanent. Suicide is a mind virus. After returning from combat, you have a loss of purpose, said Gresenz. Civilian life is less urgent, ordinary and mundane compared to deployment. People who find passion and purpose survive.During his time in Maryland and North Carolina, which he describes as chaotic, Gresenz discovered and met the motivation that would lead to his long-term recovery and survivalhis new wife Carla and his service dog Redford. At a Heroes on theSince returning to the Coastal Bend and establishing roots in Aransas Pass, Doug and Water national conference, he resolved that someday he would build a place forCarla have hosted fellow vets and first responders for kayak outings and cook-outs, veterans where they can find peace and purpose, as he had. People with a passionand above all fraternity and comradery with those who understand their struggles, and purpose dont commit suicide, he said. Redford was my first service dog, and hebecause they all have lived and survived them and were once close to some who did saved my life. When I wanted to give up and thought that people would be better offnot. They established the non-profit Redford Ranch Foundation to raise funds in without me, his loyalty and care for me was my reason for living. Redford got me outsupport of their efforts, and with an eye on the ultimate goal, that being a full-fledged out of the house. I couldnt be a hermit with him. wellness center to be built on those five acres, located just a mile from Conn Brown Redford had been a homeless vets dog that had gotten hit by a truck. GresenzHarbor and some of the best flats fishing in Texas.assumed the veterinary cost of saving him and then adopted him as his own. BeforeThis fall, on September 26-27, the Redford Ranch Foundation will hold its 3rd Annual undergoing vertebrae fusion surgery in North Carolina in 2021, Doug and Carla closedSmoke on the Water barbecue cook-off contest at the Shrimporee Grounds in Aransas the purchase of five acres in Aransas Pass where they would one day build RedfordPass. Over two dozen barbecue teams will compete as part of the national Champions Ranch. With hope in front of him for the first time in years, they confronted the tragicBarbecue Alliance-sanctioned event, with funds raised to support Doug and Carlas loss of Redford, who died of cancer on their trip to Texas. effort to prevent suicide and help struggling veterans and first responders.88THECOASTALBENDMAGAZINE TheCoastalBend.com'