Veterans find community at Warrior Revival events and activities

When clinical psychologist Katie Fry, Ph.D., recognized that the military veterans she counsels needed more community support and opportunities to socialize, she decided to do something about it. Two years ago, she founded Warrior Revival, a Utah-based nonprofit that supports veterans and their families' transition to civilian life through recreation opportunities, mentorship and retreats. Among the many social activities offered by the organization is a monthly book club that meets in Draper.

"When we first started, we thought we'd have one activity per month," Fry explained. "It has just taken off. We now have 10 to 12 activities per month. Everything is free and it's all run by volunteers."

Hikers at a Warrior Revival retreat in Bruin Point, Utah paused for a selfie. (Photo courtesy of Katie Fry/Warrior Revival)

She noted that veterans who return to civilian life face unique challenges when they leave the military. "I see it through my patients," she said. "There's a loss of community and sense of meaning and connection. We want veterans to feel safe and supported."

To that end, Fry started Warrior Revival as a way to bring veterans and civilians together. "We try to partner with organizations in the community," she said. "The goal is to give back and break down barriers."

Currently, over 500 veterans from throughout Utah have participated in Warrior Revival events and activities. "We'll have between five and 20 meet up for coffee hours and the book club," she said. Over 100 signed up for the Hook & Honor Warrior Fishing Classic that was held at Strawberry Bay Marina last September.

Other activities the organization has sponsored include scuba diving opportunities, hiking and biking trips, a whitewater rafting retreat and off-roading excursions. All of these events are made possible thanks to corporate sponsorship and foundation support. "We really rely on fundraising," Fry said. "We rely on the community to help us."

 In addition to the larger events, Warrior Revival members also gather for coffee hours and a monthly book club. The book club meets after business hours at Houzd Mortgage, 11550 S. 700 East, in Draper. Brandy Tilo, a realtor who served in the Navy, initiated the book club last year. "It kind of morphed into Warrior Revival," she said. "We just got more and more veterans but anyone can come."

Tilo explained that while some of the books they have read specifically address how to transition from the military, other books contain life lessons with more general appeal. "We read 'The Let Them Theory' by Mel Robbins and books by David Goggins," she said.

"It's funny how we end up," she added. "There is a lot of crying and a lot of laughter. It's become almost a self-help therapy session."

The Warrior Revival book club meets monthly after hours at Houzd Mortgage in Draper. (Photo courtesy of Katie Fry/Warrior Revival)

The meetings, which start at 6 p.m., usually begin with a little socializing before the club members share their thoughts and perspectives on the book. They then collaboratively select a book for the next month.

"I never thought I'd get so much out of a book club," Tilo said. "I look forward to that last Tuesday of the month."

The Warrior Revival book club is made up of both men and women of all ages. "It's a very mixed bag. Not all are military but I think that's even better, we get different perspectives," she said.

"We average about seven to eight people in the club," Tilo said. "It's our safe space so we don't want it to get too big. But we certainly have room for more. It really is a good time."

Fry emphasized that Warrior Revival serves all veterans. Recently, the organization hosted a virtual get-together and a lunch meeting just for women. "We are working on adding space for women to come together," she said.

"We truly welcome everyone to join our community," she said. "We welcome those who want to give back to our service members — those veterans and their families who have selflessly given so much to us."

To learn more about Warrior Revival, visit warrior-revival.org.