The dream to build the nation’s first sober home for women veterans struggling with PTSD and addiction has been around since the original Bravo Zulu House project began, and it’s growing closer to becoming reality..
For many veterans, the hardest battles don’t happen overseas—they begin when they come home. The transition to civilian life can be isolating. For women veterans, those challenges are often even more complex. Access to resources, safe housing, and community support isn’t always easy to find. That’s why this new partnership matters.
Tee It Up for the Troops is proud to partner with Bravo Zulu House at the 15th Annual Tee It Up for the Troops – Mankato Golf Event
This event on August 24th will be to support the construction of a Women Veterans House in Mankato, Minnesota—a place designed specifically to help women veterans heal, rebuild, and move forward.
A Place for Healing and Stability - Coming Spring 2027! This Women Veterans only home will provide more than just a roof. It’s being built to support women veterans navigating PTSD, sobriety, and the transition to stable, independent living. It’s a place where they can take the next step—not alone, but with support behind them. Through this partnership, we’re expanding the ways our community can show up for those who served—meeting needs that too often go unseen.
For more than a decade, the Mankato Tee It Up for the Troops event has brought people together to honor and support veterans. This year, that impact grows even stronger—creating a direct, lasting difference right here in our community. Bravo Zulu House identified a critical gap in veteran care and stepped in to fill it, creating the first sober living recovery homes specifically for veterans. Now, they’ve recognized that women veterans are one of the fastest-growing segments of the veteran population—and that they need a space designed specifically for their recovery and healing. Tee It Up for the Troops is proud to help bring this Women Veterans House to life. Because supporting veterans doesn’t stop at saying thank you. It’s about showing up in the moments that matter most. And together, we’re helping build a place where women veterans can find strength, stability, and a new beginning.
How Can You Support?
Support can be given in many ways. Sponsor and golf on August 24th in Mankato. Donate funds or your time volunteering at Tee It Up for the Troops. Knowledge is power, Learn more about Brave Zulu House and their Spring 2027 Plans for the Women Veteran's House.
For most people, November 11 is a day to honor those who have served our country. For Erik and Melissa Holtan, it’s even more special. The date marks Veteran’s Day, Erik’s birthday, and the couple’s wedding anniversary.
“It means a lot to me beyond just being my birthday,” Erik shared. “Seeing the pride of older generations finally being celebrated after not getting recognition before—it’s powerful. I’m proud to see the community come together like that.” Every year, Erik and Melissa start their morning at their local Hy-Vee, where veterans are invited for breakfast. “In a funny way, it’s nice to get free breakfast to celebrate our Anniversary.”
“We both served in the same unit, and that’s actually how we met,” Melissa said. “So it’s not just a day of celebration for us—it’s also a reminder of where our story began.”
As the years go by, the day’s meaning continues to grow for them. “Our anniversary is a date, but our marriage is daily,” Melissa said with a smile. This year, the Holtans will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a trip to a Liberty University football game in Lynchburg, Virginia—a getaway they started last year and hope to make a yearly tradition.
During Erik’s deployment in 2005, the couple leaned heavily on their community for support. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) wasn’t around yet when he served overseas, but once it formed, the Holtans didn’t hesitate to get involved. “We knew not everyone had strong family support,” Erik explained. “So we dedicated a lot of time to help local BTYR networks. I served as chairman for our local group, and Melissa was always there beside me helping at events. The community we served was so appreciative.”
That’s why Tee It Up for the Troops’ support of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon means so much to them. “When our local BTYR started, funding was tough,” Erik said. “Having nonprofits like Tee It Up for the Troops partner with us was such a blessing. ” People have needs the other 364 days too. That’s why local networks and nonprofits are so vital—they step in when families need help most.”
Looking ahead, Erik and Melissa hope the next generation continues that spirit of service. “We want our kids and grandkids to understand the sacrifices Veterans and their families make,” Erik said. “It’s not always easy, and we’ll need a new generation of support to carry it forward.”
Erik also encourages his fellow Veterans to stay connected. “Reach out to those you served with, even if it’s just once a year,” he shared. “Time moves fast, and those old friendships matter more than you realize.”
That message of reconnection is exactly what Tee It Up for the Troops’ REUNION Program is all about. Through this initiative, Tee It Up for the Troops brings together combat Veterans who were separated after deployment, giving them a chance to reconnect, reflect, and heal alongside their brothers and sisters in arms.
To learn more about the Reunion Program and how you can support future reunions, visit our REUNION page.
Help Veterans Heal from the Invisible Wounds of War
June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the mental health challenges many of our nation’s heroes face after returning home. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects hundreds of thousands of veterans and subsequently their families. It can lead to anxiety, depression, isolation, substance abuse, and tragically, suicide.
At Tee It Up for the Troops, we have learned that one of the most powerful forms of healing is connection—with those who’ve walked the same path.
That’s why we created REUNION, a life-changing outreach program designed to reunite veterans with the people who understand them best—their fellow comrades. These one-on-one reunions foster healing, trust, and hope.
Not only do we provide support for the veterans but also their spouse/significant others who attend. A key addition was to offer support to those who provide critical care and encouragement for the veterans in their lives.
REUNION helps veterans process trauma and rediscover a sense of purpose, hope, and belonging. Through helpful breakout sessions, reconnection through shared stories, and fellowship on and off the golf course, participants break the cycle of isolation and take steps toward healing.
Tee It Up for the Troops relies on companies, corporations, foundations, and individual REUNION sponsors and donors to assist us in reuniting combat veterans and helping them transition from the battlefront to the home front.
With your donation or sponsorship, you can:
Cover travel and lodging costs for a veteran
Provide access to mental health resources
Rebuild connections that combat PTSD’s isolating effects
Align your brand or organization with a cause that changes these heroes’ lives
Your support sends a powerful message to our nation’s heroes:
You are not alone. You are not forgotten. And healing is possible.
Are You or Someone You Know a Combat Veteran Living with PTSD?
If you or someone you care about could benefit from the healing power of REUNION, we invite you to reach out. Learn more.
More Than a Lemonade Stand – Small donations make a huge difference for military families!
Just ask Cole and Noah Dingels who got patriotic and creative with their lemonade stand and raised $1,817 for military veterans! Watch the video below showing these amazing boys in action!
Small donations make a huge difference and can have a significant impact on people’s lives. Even the seemingly small contribution – like buying a glass of lemonade or donating $20 – can improve the life of a veteran and military family. When numerous individuals rally behind a cause, the collective impact multiplies exponentially.
Noah, age 9, and Cole, age 6 raised $1,817 for Tee It Up for the Troops by selling one cup of lemonade at a time! Noah and Cole are two incredible young men dedicated to our mission for three years in a row with a lemonade stand at our Olympic Hills Golf Club event in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Cole and Noah Dingels get patriotic and creative with their lemonade stand and raise $1,817 for military veterans!
The boys do it in honor of CW5 “Papa Gene,” the grandpa they never had the opportunity to meet, who served our country for over 30 years as a helicopter pilot. This year, Noah had the idea to clean and sell golf balls to help make even more of an impact!
Noah & Cole’s parents ensure their boys understand the sacrifices our military makes and how important it is to support our veterans. Mom, Angela, said, “Each year this event invites important conversation with our kids about our great country and the incredible service men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms.” Small donations make a huge difference when families like this support our veterans.
Thank you to Noah and Cole for making a difference! Additionally, thank you to their parents, Brian and Angela, for teaching their kids about the roles and sacrifices of military personnel, which can help kids understand and appreciate the freedoms and security they enjoy.
Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is a pioneering organization that utilizes its Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to help wounded warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other.
One of the unique ways Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) honors veterans is through its namesake program. All future service dogs are named after service members and veterans who have made significant contributions to our nation. It is with tremendous pride that Tee It Up for the Troops, along with WCC, name Moondog in honor of United States Marine Corps Colonel Derek Donovan (Ret). Derek was a great friend and supporter of both non-profit organizations.
USMC Colonel Derek Donovan (Ret) embodied inspirational leadership that spanned 27 years of military service. Trained as a UH-1N (Huey) helicopter pilot, USMC COL Derek Donovan’s (Ret) distinguished career included over 3500 flight hours, visits to over 70 countries, and living aboard U.S. Naval vessels for more than four years of his life. His extensive operational background included deployments with the Gunrunners, Golden Eagles, Blue Knights, Warriors, Ugly Angels, and Black Knights. His callsign, “Moondog” was awarded in recognition of an irreverent sense of humor and a great appreciation for a well-conceived practical joke.
United States Marine Corps Colonel Derek Donovan
COL Donovan holds the distinction of being the first Marine selected as the aide-de-camp to the Secretary of the Navy. As the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Air Facility in Quantico, Virginia, he provided critical Presidential helicopter mission support, showcasing his leadership in high-stakes situations. His last assignment on active duty was with the Presidential Commission for the Care of America’s Returning Wounded Warriors co-chaired by Bob Dole and Donna Shalala. Following military retirement, Derek continued to serve military members and their families while working for the Fisher House Foundation.
Rooted in a family tradition of service, with his father’s 30-year career in the United States Air Force and his mother’s service in the Army Nurse Corps, his commitment to duty runs deep. His exceptional career and post-military contributions stand as a testament to the values of the United States Marine Corps.
The namesake program has a profound impact on those being honored as well as their family and friends. COL Donovan was nominated by Tee It Up for the Troops with the blessing of Derek’s wife, Kathryn. Colonel Derek “Moondog” Donovan, USMC (Retired) completed his last flight and passed away on February 11, 2024, after an aggressive dogfight with esophageal cancer. Recently, Kathryn had the opportunity to see some pictures of Moondog and virtually meet the service dog named in honor of Derek.
Derek and Kathryn Donovan
“Our Service dogs have an important mission—to carry on the legacies of heroes like Col. Derek Donovan while helping recovering Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” said Rick Yount, Founder and Executive Director, of Warrior Canine Connection. “We feel it’s important that those Veterans have their stories told and their lives honored through our namesake program. We believe when a Veteran’s name is spoken, they are always remembered.”
Another distinctive aspect of WCC’s program is that it enlists service members and veterans to help train the service dogs for others. This No-Fail Mission aligns with the warrior ethos of caring for your brother and sister-in-arms. The veterans and service members doing the training know their hard work will contribute to helping a fellow veteran or service member in need, while also receiving therapeutic benefits themselves.
WCC’s volunteer-based, animal-assisted therapy involves service members and veterans in training future service dogs. Besides knowing the dog will one day go on to help a fellow veteran, many warriors involved cite their own benefits, including enhanced communication, confidence, accountability, emotional regulation, and patience. Photo Credit: WCC
It is with tremendous pride that we name WCC’s Moondog in honor of United States Marine Corps Colonel Derek Donovan (Ret).
Check out the link to their website for more information about this wonderful organization- Warrior Canine Connection.
Tee It Up for the Troops and The Warrior’s Journeyare excited about a new Continuum of Care Program. This new collaboration will provide continuing services and programs to Tee It Up for the Troops’ REUNION warriors and their families.
REUNION is a multi-day event where combat veterans and their comrades discuss their days of service, injuries, and post-military struggles in a supportive environment surrounded by support networks and partner resource organizations. The physical and psychological injuries sustained during combat can affect multiple aspects of a veteran’s transition from the military to civilian life. The invisible wounds often lead to isolation, addiction, and suicide. REUNION connects and reunites combat veterans who use their common bonds to work through post-military challenges.
One of our vital partner resource organizations that has been active in providing group learning and discussion sessions and other support at REUNION is The Warrior’s Journey. The Warrior’s Journey provides warrior-to-warrior intervention and preventative resources to care for the invisible wounds of war and helps equip veterans with the tools they need to tackle the problems life throws at them.
Oftentimes, the REUNION event opens emotional doors that have not been opened for quite some time – some good and some bad – and further processing and support are needed when veterans return home. The REUNION experience has now come full circle with opportunities for customized after-care provided to warriors and their families by The Warrior’s Journey. That’s why Tee It Up for the Troops and The Warrior’s Journey are excited about a new continuum of care program.
Kevin Weaver, President/CEO and Co-Founder of The Warrior’s Journey speaks to a group of REUNION warriors.
“Serving in the military comes with unique challenges that most people do not fully understand,” said Kevin Weaver, President/CEO and Co-Founder of The Warrior’s Journey. “The invisible wounds that veterans carry are a testament to the sacrifices they made. The Warrior’s Journey, along with Tee It Up for the Troops, wanted to make sure there is support that follows the veteran and family after they attend the REUNION event.” Kevin is a US Air Force veteran. He served in the USAF Security Forces and the Office of Special Investigations from 1983-1987.
Tee It Up for the Troops and The Warrior’s Journey are excited to continue ongoing services and programs to assist our warriors on their journey. Some of the challenges faced include PTS, financial difficulty, family brokenness, addiction, suicide, loss, isolation, and more. Staff from The Warriors Journey coordinate reach-out messaging, intake, connection to resources, case management, and follow-up. The Warrior’s Journey has built a team of veterans, called “warrior connectors,” to provide real-time crisis intervention. They respond within 24 hours (always warrior-to-warrior and 100% confidential) to provide community support, resources, and referrals. The individualized approach to intervention is focused on navigating the available help and resources provided by over 70 partner organizations.
Through this new continuum of care program, veterans now have a new “Battle Buddy,” and a personal advocate through The Warrior’s Journey organization, who can help them navigate many post-military issues and offer support whenever they need it. No warrior should have to navigate alone. Together we are helping veterans heal and strengthening families.
On behalf of our Tee It Up for the Troops warriors and families, we want to thank The Warrior’s Journey for all they are doing for the men and women who served our country! We are so thankful for this expanded partnership that is helping warriors and families live in wholeness and navigate the unique issues of military life!
Give a Gift to Thank Veterans and Honor America’s Veterans and Military Families
November is a perfect month to honor America’s veterans and military families and thank those who served our nation in uniform. November 11 is Veterans Day, a day when we honor and give thanks to those who have served our country in war or peace. November is also Veterans and Military Family Appreciation Month, which is a great opportunity to recognize the sacrifices and contributions military families make that many times go unnoticed.
As we commemorate our veterans and their families, we honor the individuals who have served our country for generations — those who served out of honor, duty, and love for their country, and some who made the ultimate sacrifice.
If you would like to make a donation in honor of America’s veterans and military families, click HERE FOR EASY WAYS TO DONATE.
Give the Gift of Reuniting Veterans
What could be better than interacting with some of America’s combat veterans while helping them to heal and get back on course? What if we throw in playing golf on signature courses designed by three of golf’s greatest legends: Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Arnold Palmer?
Tee It Up for the Troops relies on corporate sponsors and donors to assist us in reuniting combat veterans who were separated due to battlefield situations. The game of golf serves as the backdrop for our signature REUNION event, January 10-14, 2024, at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.
We have developed multiple sponsorship options for differing budgets and commitment levels to help you honor America’s veterans and military families You can also contact us to see if we can create a specialized sponsorship opportunity for you!
Please click HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT REUNION SPONSORSHIP.
When it comes to charitable giving, we know it’s important that you, as a donor or supporter, know you are giving to a top-rated charity- one where you trust the mission, integrity, and financial responsibility of the organization. Tee It Up for the Troops is proud to announce that it has once again received a coveted Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator.
Charity Navigator rates organizations on four key beacons: impact and results, accountability and finance, leadership and adaptability, and culture and community. As a top-rated charity, Tee It Up for the Troops earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon, leadership and adaptability, and culture and community. Charity Navigator has not yet developed an algorithm to estimate Tee It Up for the Troop’s programmatic impact.
According to Charity Navigator, receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that an organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way.
Check out our top-rated charity profile on Charity Navigator HERE.
Charity Navigator helps highlight what percentage of a monetary donation is going directly to the support of a top-rated charity and nonprofit’s mission. Charity Navigator has given Tee It Up for the Troops an Encompass Rating of 100 out of 100! A score of 75 or above indicates that a nonprofit is effective and transparent based on Charity Navigator’s criteria. This means you can give with confidence!
In addition to Charity Navigator, top-rated charity Tee It Up for the Troops, has received the highest level of recognition offered by highly regarded “non-profit watchdogs” including GreatNonprofits and GuideStar.
This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Tee It Up for the Troops and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust. As a valued supporter, you can have trust and confidence that we will be excellent stewards of your money.
For the past 11 years, Tee It Up for the Troops has hosted REUNION, a veteran outreach initiative where wounded vets find healing and hope on and off the golf course. REUNION reunites battle buddies who were separated due to battlefield injuries. Through REUNION, combat warriors reconnect with those they trust most, experience healing, and develop new relationships and support networks, helping them with their ongoing transition from the battlefield to the home front.
Hometown, High School, and Warrior Buddies – Dan Thiesfeld, and Nick Kimmel – Reunite at REUNION
“I almost teared up just giving him a hug because I haven’t seen him in forever. It meant so much. Just to be here at this event, to see all these people and hear all their stories is just amazing,” said one warrior attendee.
Click below to watch the emotional video of how our 2023 wounded vets find healing and hope on and off the golf course at REUNION.
Many valued non-profit partners “stepped up to the tee” at REUNION by participating in the Non-Profit Partner Resource Expo. Throughout REUNION, our non-profit partners each bring unique resources that are introduced and available for veterans and their families.
Non-Profit Partners Expo at REUNION.
Most of these partners also send combat veterans to experience the healing and hope that comes from attending REUNION. These wounded vets find healing and hope on and off the golf course
Below is a list of the wonderful non-profit partners who brought support to REUNION and links to their organizations.
The Tee It Up for the Troops Desert Mountain Golf Club Event in Arizona, like all our military charity events, honors both our fallen soldiers and those Gold Star Families left behind. This particular event brought healing and involvement for one Gold Star Mother.
Vicki Dryer’s son, Corey, was only in the Army for a little over a year. During his first deployment to Afghanistan, he was killed in action about two months into his assignment. “Before Corey left for deployment, he had a talk with me to prepare me,” Vicki stated. “He knew he was going to a really bad place. He said ‘Mom, everyone will move on…my wife, my sisters, others …except you Mom.’ He would be so surprised at all the people, including those he served with, that will always carry him and his story forward.”
A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Army Pfc. John C. Johnson, of Phoenix, Ariz., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., May 28, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)
Vicki started working at the Desert Mountain Golf Club after Corey’s death when she was feeling the early stages of intense grief. “I was really, really struggling,” said Vicki. “My husband encouraged me to get out of the house and off the computer.” She had never been on a golf course before, but a friend drove the beverage cart and encouraged her to apply at the Desert Mountain Golf Club. During the interview, Vicki told the golf course personnel that she was seriously grieving over the loss of her son, but that she was honest, hard-working, and could learn just about anything. She was hired and started out driving the beverage cart, but soon was doing a little bit of everything around the club. When the first Tee It Up for the Troops golf charity event came to Desert Mountain in May of 2022, everyone at the club agreed that Vicki needed to be involved.
Vicki, who finds her way forward by getting involved to honor and support all those who have sacrificed so much to serve our nation, was instrumental in getting the first Desert Mountain event off the ground.
In the military, there’s a saying “no man left behind.” At Tee It Up for the Troops, we want to let Gold Star Families know they won’t be left behind either.
Gold Star Families are the surviving family members of military personnel who died while on active duty. During our golf events’ open ceremonies, we provide an opportunity for Gold Star families to honor their loved ones and fallen warriors.
Gold Star Family Ceremony honoring loved ones.
Vicki, a proud Gold Star Mother, honored her son, Corey, at our Desert Mountain Golf Club Charity Event in Phoenix, AZ last May. PFC John Corey Johnson died on May 27, 2011, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Vicki organized many aspects of the patriotic event, including the Arizona Patriot Guard Riders arriving at the event with flags waving on their motorcycles, elements of the opening ceremony, including an Honor Guard, and a wreath-laying by Gold Star Families. Vicki will tell you that the most important thing she did in helping to organize the golf charity event for military veterans was “wearing the hat.” “For months leading up to the event, I wore that Tee It Up for the Troops golf hat and talked to everyone I could about the event,” Vicki explained.
Patriot Rider Motorcycles.
“Getting involved in the Tee It Up for the Troops Desert Mountain Golf Club event brought me additional healing and great joy,” Vicki said. “People who find great joy in life, give back. I had taken a break from giving back and after examining my happiness, I figured that I needed to show love and give back.”
“Being a volunteer and getting intrenched with this charity helped me immensely,” Vicki added. “The Tee It Up for the Troops event is truly unique. It honors our military and fallen soldiers in a very patriotic way, but it’s not all somber like some remembrance events. It was great to see everyone having fun on the golf course and how everyone was enjoying themselves.”
PFC John Corey Johnson, 28, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March of 2011. This was during a very heightened conflict time with the Taliban and al-Qaeda shortly after Osama Bin Laden was killed by U.S. Forces. Insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire, killing Corey.
PFC John Corey Johnson.
Six other members of Corey’s battalion were also killed in action during this conflict. Sadly, three additional members of his unit would die by suicide.
On Mother’s Day in 2011, from Afghanistan, Corey sent his mom, Vicki, a dozen roses, a gift box of Shari’s Berries, and a card. Corey joked with his stepfather, “Beat that Dryer…all the way from Afghanistan!” Nineteen days later Corey was killed in action.
Vicki, Corey, and granddaughter McKenna.
When asked for the three things Vicki would want others to know about her son, Corey, she replied:
“He was a defender of his sisters, his mom, and his family. He always took care of all things good.”
“He was funny. He would hide in strange places and jump out and scare me.”
“He was unique. He was a redneck – that was my pet name for him. I told him he could not get a tattoo unless it was a tattoo for his mom. At 18 he got a tattoo that read ‘redneck.’ He called it his ‘mom tattoo.’ He also had his daughter, McKena’s feet from her birth certificate tattooed on his chest. Those baby feet left a lasting impression on the men who cut his uniform off and performed medical attention to try to keep him alive.”
Corey’s awards and decorations include the Army the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
It is the ultimate sacrifice that Corey and others have made on behalf of their country that we remember and honor at Tee It Up for the Troops golf events. “It’s really important as a nation to remember that Afghanistan was the longest war in American history,” said Vicki. The effects of this war are generational. Our work and our gratitude are never done.”
Please take a moment to watch the Desert Mountain event video below. It’s an impactful patriotic video reminding all of us of the blessings and freedoms we have due to the service and sacrifices of our amazing military men and women.
Are You or Someone You Know a Combat Veteran Living with PTSD?
