For Dan Bue, the transition from twenty years in the U.S. Navy to civilian life was a grueling uphill battle. By 2022, the retired sailor found himself trapped in a cycle of depression and anxiety, noting that his voice had become monotone and his smiles had vanished. Everything changed when he attended a Tactical Healing Retreat hosted by Operation Warrior Resolution, a Manatee nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans rewire their brains after trauma. Through a combination of neuroscience-based healing, equine therapy, and mindfulness practices, Bue began to recover his sense of self. The change was so profound that during a subsequent couples retreat, his wife Jen told organizers that the program had simply given her husband back.
Today, Bue has come full circle, serving as the organization’s retreat logistics lead and teaching Combat Conscious Yoga. He now leads sound journeys and yoga sessions at locations ranging from the American Legion in Venice to the serene surroundings of the Myakka Elephant Ranch. While he admits that healing is a lifelong work in progress, he describes his current ability to navigate emotional lows in hours rather than weeks as a breakthrough. This personal success mirrors the broader mission of Operation Warrior Resolution, which pairs mental health recovery with tangible career opportunities. Since July 2024, the nonprofit has funded commercial driver’s license training for over 200 veterans, boasting a ninety six percent completion rate and opening doors to high paying careers in transportation.
The organization is currently entering a period of significant growth despite facing devastating setbacks. After Hurricane Debby destroyed nearly everything they owned except for what could fit on a single small table, founder Kendra Simpkins turned the tragedy into an opportunity for stability. The nonprofit transitioned from renting space to owning six acres off Water Line Road, where they are planning a massive expansion including additional session rooms and a new six bedroom home to increase retreat capacity. A recent grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County further supports these efforts, alongside partnerships aimed at providing affordable housing and construction trades training for transitioning service members.
While funding for the physical expansion is nearly secure, Simpkins says she is facing another critical shortage: people. Maintaining six acres of land while hosting frequent retreats requires constant effort, from cooking and cleaning to landscaping and painting. Local garden clubs and church groups have already stepped up to help with mulch and flooring, but the organization continues to seek volunteers with property maintenance skills or general willingness to lend a hand. As they build out their permanent sanctuary, Operation Warrior Resolution remains focused on shortening the distance between military trauma and lasting wellness for those who served.
