Central American Adventure for Afghanistan Combat Veterans

December marks the “high season” in Costa Rica as the weather turns—almost overnight—from frequent rains into a breezy paradise along the Pacific coast. December also marks the beginning of a new series of Freedom Alliance Offshore Experience events, held at the premier luxury resort in the central Pacific: Los Sueños Resort and Marina. 

The program comprises high-adventure activities coupled with a structured series of group talks that revolve around warriorhood and carrying the burdens of war.  Those burdens may include survivor’s guilt, symptoms of PTSD, disillusionment with mission, inadequate and inept care upon return from war, as well as distrust of the public. With the help of psychotherapist Dr. Ed Tick, Freedom Alliance developed a program that addresses these issues in a way that encourages lasting impact.

The group selected for December had a common experience of fighting in Afghanistan during the hard-fought years of 2010–2012. With the controversial withdrawal of troops in 2021, we felt this was a group that deserved our focus.  

Two Marines from Virginia attended: Drew L. and Shawn H. Both served in 3d Battalion, 6th Marines during the two battles in Marjah, Afghanistan. Ruben M., a Corpsman (or medic) who served with the 24th Marine Regiment, in both Iraq and Afghanistan, traveled from Florida to attend. Lastly, Brent W., a soldier who served in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2012, came from California. 

Upon arriving at the resort, the men were shown their quarters for the week. Drew and Shawn stayed in a condo donated by Gerald and Virginia Lindholm that looks out on the golf course and surrounding jungle. Ruben and Brent stayed in a condo donated by Toni Maxton that overlooks the marina and bay. 

One of the very special aspects of this program is that it can only exist through the generosity of the community at Los Sueños. Almost everything is donated—from the condos previously mentioned, to the activities, the golf carts (thank you, Durman family of Gato Gordo Golf Cart Rentals!), and even the meals. Throughout the program, supportive members of the community host our veterans at various restaurants, breaking bread and engaging them in togetherness. The resort also gives Freedom Alliance a deep discount on meals at its restaurants—a reminder that even those not seated at the table still want the best for them.

The first activity we scheduled was a hike at Rain Maker, just about an hour’s drive south of the resort. The trail features suspension bridges through the jungle canopy as well as waterfalls and pools to refresh oneself from the heat.

After the hike, we encountered some of the wildlife at the resort—the common scarlet macaws and iguanas but also the elusive two-toed sloth. As we headed to the condo for our group discussion, we were visited by a troop of capuchin monkeys!

All this in just their first few hours in Costa Rica! The remainder of the day was spent laying out the framework of our program and diving into the workbook and materials that address warriorhood. 

Frank Bongiorno, CEO of Staten Island Yacht Sales, donated a day of fishing on his 58-foot Viking, Dealer’s Choice, which was our vessel to the open waters the next day. Although Frank couldn’t be there, he graciously allowed his crew to take us out fishing—and fish we did!

We happened upon a school of tuna and landed 13 in the boat. We also caught the brilliant green, yellow, and blue mahi-mahi. Mr. Bongiorno even arranged for a local restaurant to prepare and serve the fish we had caught. Dinner that night was fish prepared every way imaginable: sashimi, ceviche, fried fingers, pan seared, and blackened. It was quite the treat.

The next day, thanks to another generous donation from Will Drost of Louisiana, the men boarded the 46-foot Maverick yacht, Geaux Fly, for a second day of offshore fishing. Will has supported our program for years through both fishing-day donations and financial support.  

Captain Simon and his crew piloted us to another location where the mahi were plentiful, and we landed 10 that day. But it was all cheers when a blue marlin crashed into the teaser and took the pitch bait.

Drew was the next angler in line and got to have his first fight with a billfish! Fighting a marlin is vastly different to cranking in a mahi, and it pushed him to his limits. The sense of accomplishment when the marlin was safely released made it all worthwhile.  

The next day, and their last full day in Costa Rica, Jimmy Kitchell treated the men to a trip to Isla Tortuga on his catamaran tour agency, Costa Cat. Isla Tortuga is a gem among the islands dotting the Gulf of Nicoya and only a mere 45-minute boat ride from Los Sueños.

The tour includes reclining chairs, lunch, snorkeling, hiking, as well as a wait staff who never allows anyone to go thirsty. The men went snorkeling and, after a bit of rest in the shade of the palm trees, embarked on the hike that circumnavigates the island. We headed back under the benediction of an incredible Pacific sunset. 

Virginia and Gerald Lindholm had arrived back in Costa Rica and treated the men to dinner that night at a local beachfront restaurant. Gerald is the Chairman of the Freedom Alliance Board of Directors and, along with his wife, Virginia, has enabled this program to thrive.

They shared stories of past Offshore Experience groups they’ve hosted and invited everyone back to their condo to see their display of military paraphernalia that participants have given them. It’s inspiring to the veterans to witness first-hand the respect these Americans have for those who fought on our behalf. 

That evening concluded with the final group session and a ceremony, whereupon keepsakes were given to each participant to remember their time in Costa Rica with Freedom Alliance. 

Drew wrote on Greatnonprofits.org: “There are a lot of different nonprofits out there that have a secondary agenda, but Freedom Alliance’s only focus is taking care of us combat veterans. They truly care for us and fight to ensure that we don’t become just another statistic. Freedom Alliance has proven to me that they actually care about our well-being and quality of life and go above and beyond to put programs together that not only help us bond and interact but also help us to work through past traumas.”