A three-day, two-night ski trip to Monarch Mountain in central Colorado was on the bill for three soldiers from the Fort Carson Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB).
“I really needed this,” said Dionna. “It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time for me. It’s been really stressful this month.” Dionna is a platoon sergeant for Bravo Company at the WTB. She was in desperate need for some time to herself, so she could get back to the task she is devoted to: taking care of the soldiers under her wing who suffer from severe PTSD.
Two patients in rehabilitation joined her for the fun, hoping that a little getaway would aid in their recovery.
Specialist Chris is a National Guard soldier from Utah, who was involved in a blast in Afghanistan in November. The explosion shattered his ankle and resulted in a traumatic brain injury and back issues, all of which required numerous surgeries.
Chris has a five-year-old daughter in Utah, whom he misses and chats about. “This is just so awesome. I can’t thank you enough,” he said again and again about the trip in general and particularly the cabin accommodations.
Private First Class Savanna is also missing her two children, whom she had to leave in Tennessee with her mother so she could recover at Fort Carson. A veteran of three years, Savanna was injured while training to deploy.
Their vacation included ski rentals from Christy Sports, two days of ski lifts from Monarch Mountain, and two nights at the Cheyenne cabin in Salida, Colorado—only twenty minutes from the ski resort. The first thing they did after arriving at the cabin was to soak in the hot tub, which overlooked the snowy mountain range in the distance.
“This is perfect after a hard day of skiing,” Chris mocked. He and Savanna had never skied before and teased each other about their first day of being laughed at by kindergartners. Nevertheless, both were eager to get back to the slopes the next day.
“This is gorgeous and definitely my happy place,” Dionna posted on Facebook about their opulent digs. Whether drinking a hot beverage by the fireplace or relaxing in a loft bedroom, the views from the windows—which included grazing deer—were compelling.
Dionna was enthused. “You have spoiled us with your food and your generosity. It has been an amazing trip!”
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