Fifty veterans and active military members attended the annual Southern Minnesota Military Women’s Retreat at the Mt. Olivet Retreat Center in Farmington August 16-18.

The retreat, hosted by Owatonna Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, included a resource fair, music and art therapy, hiking and other activities. It was designed to honor participants for their military service and provide a relaxed environment to focus on their well-being, learn about opportunities and network. Navy veteran Patty McNeese, who has served as retreat coordinator for the past five years, said participants, who range in age from 18 to 70, describe it as beneficial and life-changing.

“Some have said it saved their lives because of the connections they made,” McNeese said. “The retreat is a place where women can connect, collaborate and communicate to build a network and support for those who believe they are invisible.”

McNeese gave the example of a former participant who was in the process of leaving an abusive relationship and experiencing great challenges. Through the retreat, she was able to connect with organizations and individuals who supported her in successfully finding a job and a home, returning to school and gaining custody of her children.

“So community, connection and collaboration are key,” McNeese said. “Female veterans know other female veterans. Who can they call if they’re in trouble? Some of us are going through tough times right now and really need our support. You never know what you don’t know. By bringing everyone together, we create those connections.”

According to McNeese, the Disabled American Veterans began hosting similar retreats in 2017, but only for DAV veterans. In 2019, she and the Owatonna BTYR took over the effort and offered all female veterans and female National Guard members the opportunity to participate as well. The retreat is run by volunteers and McNeese, who is also a board member of the Owatonna BTYR.

Air Force veteran Kristine Fasnacht Fumia said the retreat provides a safe place for female veterans and military members.

“And you know how people say women can be hard on each other? Well, here I can see women loving each other, supporting each other and building each other up,” Fumia said.

Fumia served as a medic in the military and is now a licensed acupuncturist in Madison Lake, Minnesota. This was her second year of providing acupuncture treatments to retreat participants.

“I’ve been able to network very well and find other facilities that I’m very drawn to, like addiction treatment centers. I offer my services because I’ve experienced how beneficial acupuncture is for someone,” said Fumia, who sees acupuncture as a way to provide veterans and military members with a way to heal their mind, body and spirit while giving back. “It’s how I serve my community.”

Fumia said she was overwhelmed and touched when she first offered her services at the retreat last year. When others learned she was a veteran, she received a Quilt of Valor, which is given to all participating veterans and military members.

“I had never seen anything like this distributed. Oh yeah. I wasn’t that kind of crybaby. And when the lady said, ‘I made this,’ I was like, ‘Oh my God!'” Fumia said. “So, I look at this every day, every day.”

The field trip is free to all participants and is funded by grants and donations from various organizations that support the military community, including Operation: 23 to Zero, which raises awareness of veteran issues such as post-traumatic stress and suicide prevention.

McNeese recently retired and this will be her last year as coordinator of the retreat. She is passing the role to Mellissa Franz, director of the Women Veterans Initiative and DAV. “I will miss the team I put together and how we worked together as a unit to create amazing events and enriching experiences for these amazing women,” said McNeese. “Coordinating the event was a wonderful honor, but the stress that comes with such a task takes its toll. However, if I am asked to step back in after a period of recovery, I would be honored to do so.”

By Cristina Oxtra

Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs