A sign at Bravo Zulu House’s future sober home greeted groundbreaking attendees.

Veterans disproportionately struggle with addiction. Bravo Zulu House, an organization dedicated to providing veterans with effective treatment, is declaring a ‘war on PTSD’ to address a common underlying symptom of substance abuse disorders.

“Veteran sobriety is the number one barrier to successfully treating PTSD,” the organization asserts. “The VA confirms that 75-90 percent of all PTSD sufferers abuse drugs and alcohol. Even more tragic is there are virtually zero all-military sober homes in Minnesota.”

That is about to change.

Bravo Zulu House, which was founded by Trinity Sober Homes, seeks to treat PTSD by opening the first all-military sober home in the country on a rural property in southern Minnesota.

Bravo Zulu House’s vision is fast approaching reality. The organization’s first-ever sober home for veterans held its groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, April 24, marking the official start of the innovative project.

Bravo Zulu House was drawn to southern Minnesota because of the area’s tranquil, veteran-friendly atmosphere. The organization eventually found the perfect property on 230th St. in rural Winnebago, a farm house on a five-acre lot, and purchased it for $240,000.

However, Bravo Zulu House has extensive renovations in mind for the house, and Trinity Sober Homes executive director Tim Murray reminded attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony that the project’s costs actually total $1.2 million, half of which has been raised so far.

“We need your help,” he urged the crowd. “You can be a doer, a donor or a door opener.”

Among other things, the funds will finance an expanded floor plan for the house to accommodate 14 bedrooms and two ADA-accessible bathrooms, plus a two-story lift, a sound-proofed counseling session area and a large great room to host gatherings.

“We try to encourage the guys to get out of their rooms and interact with each other,” Murray explained at a Bravo Zulu House open house in January. “We try to create as much community as possible – how we heal is by connecting with people.”

The home will accommodate 13 veterans, plus one live-in, full-time licensed alcohol dependency counselor (LADC), who will also be a veteran.

The house will offer other resources for its residents, as well. They will have access to optional spiritual coaching and PTSD counseling, and they will also be required to undergo a psychological assessment before they are admitted to Bravo Zulu House. They will need to attend 12-step meetings every week, and submit to random drug testing.

Additionally, Bravo Zulu House will provide veterans with a sense of purpose by requiring residents to work or volunteer for at least 30 hours every week.

In pursuit of this goal, Bravo Zulu House plans to build a hydroponic farming operation on the house’s premises to promote sustainable living for its residents, and dignified jobs.

Finally, Bravo Zulu House will connect veterans to their community through a guest cottage located on the premises, 24/7 on-site transit, and support rescue and therapy dogs.

Murray is particularly excited for the rescue and therapy dog program, which he refers to as ‘sneaky therapy.’ Bravo Zulu House will be partnering with Paws for Cause, a local animal boarding, training and rescue business, to make the program possible.

Paws for Cause’s owner, Ava Tvedten, will work individually with each resident to pair them with a dog and guide them through the training process.

“A lot of data shows that people suffering from PTSD benefit when taking care of an animal,” Murray observed last January. “We know that PTSD therapy is all about connecting with others.”

Murray, who is based in the Twin Cities area, is partnering with Minnesota American Legion Membership director Pam Krill to develop local connections with individuals and businesses for Bravo Zulu House and its soon-to-be residents.

Area organizations have stepped up to help with the project as well, including the American Legion, the VFW and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

The project is near and dear to Krill, a veteran who herself has struggled with recovery following her service.

“There was no place for me to go and talk to veterans who have struggled, like me, with their demons,” she told the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony. “This house, right here behind us, is going to help veterans like me.”

The project has also generated support from area political leaders, including U.S. Congressman Brad Finstad and State Representative Bjorn Olson.

Both representatives, who were present for the groundbreaking on April 24, expressed their enthusiasm for the project.

“Because of the sacrifice and service (veterans) have performed for us, it’s our job to give back – and I think this wonderful building and this wonderful program will be our way that we can serve them in return,” Olson said.

Finstad observed, “This is an amazing thing to say that we have in southern Minnesota. There are a lot of folks in Washington who are paying attention to this. This is where things are happening – right in our backyard.”

Murray concluded the groundbreaking ceremony with a few words of thanks, and a reminder of the purpose Bravo Zulu House will serve.

“Without Pam Krill, and without Steve Fosness (Commander American Legion Post #36), we would not be here,” Murray said.

He continued, “There are 30,000 veterans this month who are coming out of treatment for chemical addiction, and it will be that way for a decade. There are 20,000 sober homes in the country, but there are exactly zero all-military sober homes that address the underlying PTSD.”

Murray concluded, “Between a beautiful living environment, a band of brothers, hydroponic farming and sneaky therapy, this will be a model for the country.”