Military and First Responder Widows Gather in Nashville for Never Alone: Widows of Heroes Retreat
(Photo courtesy Never Alone Widows)
Never Alone Widows, along with the Gary Sinise Foundation, hosts annual retreats for women to find support and community
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.”
– Psalm 30:11
First responder and military widows from across the country gathered in Nashville, Tennessee for the latest Widows of Heroes retreat hosted by Never Alone Widows.
The Widows of Heroes retreats, in association with Never Alone Retreats, are sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation and designed specifically to honor widows of fallen military and first responders. The Gary Sinise Foundation, who provides support through multiple programs for Veterans, First Responders and their families has provided Never Alone Widows with a generous grant to help put on the Widows of Heroes retreats.
This year’s event included women sharing their stories of loss and testimonies of hope, worship, guest speakers and loving on the widows in the forms of feasts, gifts and massages. At the heart of the event is the fellowship and relationships forged through a common loss that these women are, in fact, never alone. Among the guests and featured speakers this year was Gracie Parrish Miller, widow of Zack Parrish and Founder of The Shelter Foundation.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck (second from left) joined widows from across the country including Gracie Parrish Miller (far right), Founder of The Shelter Foundation. Photo courtesy of Never Alone Widows.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck spent some precious time with the widows this year as well. Hasselbeck is wife, mom of three, former TV Host from The View and Fox & Friends and author of several books including her latest entitled Point of View: A Fresh Look at Work, Faith, and Freedom. While meeting with the women this year, she had each of the women at the retreat write on a rock that she carries with her on her runs. She explained that she physically carries each one in her heart as she prays over them.
Never Alone states that their “desire with these retreats is to create a family of widows that feel honored in their sacrifice and loved into a life of purpose and joy.” Never Alone offers daily inspiration and encouragement to all women through their social media platforms, devotionals and other media along with national gatherings and conferences.
In order to apply to attend the Widows of Heroes retreat, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Must be a widow of any active military/veteran branch of service OR a first responder widow (Police, Fire, EMT, Law Enforcement, FBI, CIA, Rescue, Secret Service)
Widowed within the last 5 years
Not remarried
Currently raising children alone at home
Must identify with the Christian faith and be willing to provide a recommendation letter from a pastor or other spiritual leader
The next Widows of Heroes Retreat will be October 5-8, 2023 in Tennessee, while Never Alone also will host upcoming retreats in Alys Beach, Florida (April 2023) and North Carolina (July 2023).
To learn more about Never Alone, visit neveralonewidows.com.
Photos above courtesy of Never Alone Widows
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