Based on feedback from the previous year’s participants, the Fund decided to dedicate this summer’s retreat to the spouses and family members of the fallen. Hiking Gold Star Peak, a now annual event, is on the itinerary; however, the remaining experiences will be tailored to each participant’s requests in order to make their time together truly unique and especially meaningful.

If you are interested in participating as a friend or mentor and joining us in Alaska between July 25-31, please contact Mark ([email protected]).

2021 98 Fund Retreat Agenda:

Sunday: 18 July 2021
Arrival Day
Group Dinner and Event Meeting

Monday: 19 July 2021
Memorial Cabin Project Work
Prep Gold Star Rocks

Tuesday: 20 July 2021
Fishing Trip
Memorial Cabin Project Work
ATV Safety Training

Wednesday: 21July 2021
ATV trip to Eklutna Lake
Memorial Cabin Project Work

Thursday: 22 July 2021
Hike Gold Star Peak

Friday: 23 July 2021
Finish Memorial Cabin Project
Polar Bear Plunge
Group Dinner / Photo Show / Bonfire

Saturday: 24 July 2021
Departure Day
Travel Day

Based on feedback from the previous year’s participants, the Fund decided to dedicate this summer’s retreat to the spouses and family members of the fallen. Hiking Gold Star Peak, a now annual event, is on the itinerary; however, the remaining experiences will be tailored to each participant’s requests in order to make their time together truly unique and especially meaningful.

Unfortunately, the 2020 Retreat was cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic.

2020 Draft 98 Fund Retreat Agenda:

Sunday: 26 July 2020
Arrival Day
Group Dinner and Event Meeting

Monday: 27 July 2020
Hatcher Pass / Independence Gold Mine
Short Hike (practice / assessment time)
Events in Palmer, AK

Tuesday: 28 July 2020
Trip to Whittier / Glacier Cruise
Tram to Alyeska
Dinner in Girwood, AK

Wednesday: 29 July 2020
ATV trip @ Eklutna or
Events in Anchorage
Prep for Gold Star Peak

Thursday: 30 July 2020
Hike Gold Star Peak
Dinner in Eagle River, AK

Friday: 01 August 2020
Drive to Talkneeta / Denali Viewing
Events in Talkneetna
Group Dinner / Photo Show / Bonfire

Saturday: 02 August 2020
Departure Day
Travel Day

This year the Fund sponsored Jayme Anderson’s daughter and Jason Goody’s son, daughter, and widow for a week in Alaska. Unlike previous years, the participants did not request to build something but did want to participate in activities their fallen parent loved: land navigation, salmon fishing, and horseback riding. Everyone also had the opportunity to hike Gold Star Peak.

In 2018 children from two fallen classmates shared their summer retreat. Franklin Massey’s daughters saw the tree fort their father designed come to life and Paul Voelke’s younger son had the opportunity to build a table future visitors could enjoy.

Beyond creating lasting projects, the children had the opportunity to explore the beauty of Alaska by hiking Gold Star Peak.

The bulk of 2016 and 2017 were spent preparing the Alaska site to host future retreats. Supporting Disabled Veterans while serving as a way to connect them to The Fund, the DeRocchi family sponsored events centered at the Hatcher Pass location (site of The MAJ Paul Voelke Memorial Bridge).

Final preparations and lessons learned from the first summer became integrated into what would become the Alaska Project.