Heroes Homestead

Follow our personal journey into homesteading, finding life, purpose through the fog of PTSD.

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Heroes Homestead

501(c)(3) in Eastern Washington

Began as a homestead with the vision to become a retreat center framed after the rehabiilitation centers following WWII. The co-founders are children and grandchildren of veterans from WWII and Vietnam War, now raising thier own family. They also have their own story as a veteran family of Pre 9/11 Era. While you can read more about the Holstine's personal story, here is the mission and vision of Heroes as a homestead, as Heroes Market, Heroes Journal and the vision for a national movement.

HEROES is on mission for honor heroes, fortify families and celebrate the freedoms they fought to defend.

HEROES is a movement for the United States to welcome back our service members and make a pathway for them to heal, and step into their best life.

Heroes Homestead strives to make resources and programs available throughout Washington, with goals to develop satelite locations near every military hub across the US. Check out our Sateline plan if interested in starting a Heroes Coffee House, Heroes Homestead, or other endeavor in your region!

Our story

Andrew & Danielle Holstine

Everyone has those days that are their best and worst days. My best days were meeting and marrying my wife, Danielle, having my four kids, and meeting Jesus. My worst day was April 8, 2000. I just celebrated one year anniversary in the marines. I was promoted to Lance Corporal and selected to be part of a training exercise with the MV22 Tilt-Rotor Osprey. It was exciting to be one of the first infantrymen to fly in the Osprey. I served in 3rd BN 5th Marines as a machine gunner. Upon arrival at the airfield we were notified our helicopter assignments were switched. My best friend was now stick 2 and I was assigned to stick 1. During descent, the rear Osprey an engine stall. We watched as the bird rotated upside down and crashed. 19 Marines were lost that day. My best friend George Santos was a far better man than I. Life felt like a gamble.

The memory of the 19 Marines that gave their life that day, was a war in my mind as I raised my own family. PTSD is a fog you live in. It invades your ability to make rational decisions, and pervades your sleep with vivid dreams. It clouds your values and interrupts your thoughts.

Eventually, with the stresses of life, my PTSD began to cycle. Owning my own business, managing a DIY home purchase and raising three kids was a big weight soon after my wife’s employer downsized and laid her off. My capacity to cope BROKE. We needed help.

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The Vet Center and VA were well equipped for veterans, but my wife and children were effected also. They needed support and asssistance. Additionally, it became evident how little was known about mental illness and depression in our community. We were on a journey to find our own means of healing for the whole family.

Danielle, previously worked in interpersonal adjustment for expats working overseas. In the turmoil of our family, she recognized the symptoms of cultural adjustment in myself. Through research she discovered a large void in readjustment for veterans post WWII, and yet connected past experience and skills to the needs associated with readjustmet related to the family responsibility and veteran responsibility to build connection and trust in a circle of repair and return. She recognized my turmoil, my grief and my strife. In the trusting relationship of family and our marriage, she helped regain rhythms, purpose and created a place for grief and healing.

We sold our home in Orange County, California. Said farewell to dear friends and family. Sold our belongings. Purchased an RV, and began an unknown destination of traveling the country. We needed open space, less bills, less stress, and more time with one another. We needed to find hope, and feel joy again- for our survival.

Our road trip brought clarity. It was a long and intentional process to recovery that we have come to realize will be life long. It is a process you live again and again, and a process others can learn for their own journey. We found the answer all along was to slow down and live intentionally, focusing on the ones we love. I was fighting a war in my mind every second of every day. I needed to realize my family was what I needed to fight for to align to God, Family and then country. Veterans are trained for battle, but we forget what the war is for- it’s for freedom, for hope, for the ones we love, for this beautiful nation.

It is through our lived journey that we connect community resources, developed curriculum and built a culture of trust and process of healing for families of our armed members and veterans. Our homestead reminds our veterans of freedom, hope, their family, and the beauty of this nation as we help them align their priorities and gain autonomy in the process of adjusting back home. The homestead and all associated activities strive to engage the great outdoors with their spouses and children. Please support and join our journey.

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Heroes Approach

Fortifying Families

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Heroes Approach

Founders explain the mission and why Heroes Homestead is needed:

Board of Directors

Heroes Homestead is a non-profit based in the state of Washington. Established in 2018 to FORTIFY FAMILIES of our armed service members, veterans and first responders.

Through interpersonal adjustment, peer mentoring, and community service partner, Heroes Homestead helps you thrive in your home, workplace, family and life through transitional services and programs for the whole family.

Service to our nation is something the entire family bears, now and in the future, as your raise a family. Heroes offers wrap around support to give greater hope for healing. Meet our Board of Directors who help guide and safeguard our mission.

Meet the Team

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our Heroes Family Gatherings and stay in touch with how to support our work in the veteran community when you join our Newsletter.

Heroes Journal

Receive the Heroes Journal at home!

American lifestyle magazine designed with the veteran family in mind! Enjoy creative ways to connect with your spouse. Additional pages for easy kids and parent activities to use around the dinner table or for a meaningful connection time. Centered on American history and pride of this great nation and dedicated to hearing from the hearts of our veterans. Special features of Behind the Uniform tell the stories of our Heroes and why they serve our nation.

Heroes Journal Online

We would love to hear from you

Feel free to give us a call or send us an email with any questions or comments you have.

Get in touch

What our Heroes and their families say

Real experiences, real results.

Heroes Family Camp was the first place and time I felt free!

Alyssa

It's encouraging in so many ways to be remembered for my service. The recognition that Heroes Homestead gives has me feeling seen.

Nathan

Heroesgiving Attendee, Veteran

Thankful for everything Heroes Homestead does. Always helping others and allowing space for those that need a connection. Thankful for helping engaged in our community and with other veterans. I love all the social events and connections. After my retirement, I lost my community. I didn't realize how much I needed connection. Heroes has filled that loss for me. Thank you!

Jim, US Air Force

Heroesgiving Attendee, Veteran

I love all things that Heroes put together. The family support you have provided, I am so grateful for all that they have done for my family. One of my favorite events is celebrating 4th of July and Heroes Walk. Thank you most of all for giving s a family away from our family. We love Heroes Homestead.

A heartwarming scene of mother and daughter embracing in a sunlit outdoor setting, symbolizing love and happiness.

Anna

Veteran family