Back to All Events

Veterans Rite of Return - April 21st - May 2nd


  • Eastern Washington (map)

Welcome Home

The Rite of Return is a rite of passage for warriors seeking to answer the soul’s call for deep healing in the wilderness in order to lay down what longer serves and step into who you are truly called to be after military service. Separated from society, in solidarity and solitude, cross the threshold as a Whole Warrior to answer Who Am I? What’s My Purpose? Where do I Belong? 

This ancient, cross-cultural ceremony has proven to drastically reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and suicidal ideation by embracing the wholeness of our human experience and true nature.

The Ceremony 

The 12-day ceremony will be held in the wilderness of Eastern Washington with trained veteran and non-veteran guides. Participants experience time in community with other vets, four days of solo time, fasting in the wilderness, and a marked return where their stories are shared and witnessed in a“council of elders”. This return marks the beginning of a veteran’s process of incorporating that which they have gained and learned during their time in service and explored in the context of time alone in the wilderness, so they may bring their gifts home, able to participate more fully in service of their families and their community.  Initiates will be supported throughout their incorporation year by Veteran Rites and the circle of whole warriors they are initiated with.

Eligibility

The Rite of Return is available to Current and Prior Military Service Members, Spouses, Partners, Gold Star (18+), and Dependent Survivors of Veteran Suicide. Veteran Rites will work with every warrior called to the land to fully prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for their Rite of Return journey and address unique barriers and conditions that may prevent participation.

COVID-19

Veteran Rites has adopted enhanced safety protocols and practices to prevent and mitigate transmission of the coronavirus among participants, our loved ones, and communities before, during, and after the ceremony.

CLAIM YOUR SEAT AND ANSWER THE CALL BELOW

HELD IN THE WILDERNESS OF EASTERN WASHINGTON APRIL 21 - May 2, 2022

RITE OF RETURN CEREMONIES ARE LIMITED TO (8) PARTICIPANTS

Email Ryan Mielcarek at council@veteranrites.org if you have any problems in filling out this form or have any questions. We are here for you.



Earlier Event: February 9
Guerrilla Gardening Wednesday Workshops with Beau Gromley
Later Event: May 20
Veteran Camp and Spring Workshop: Mirroring for Intent and Empowerment
We are grateful and inspired to share the story of Dan and Jess’s @spartan Race journey. Dan and Jess have been the heartbeat of Veteran Rites, as friends, volunteers, facilitators, guides, and initiates always at the ready to Welcome Home our
Touch the earth. John O’Odonahue
Welcome Home The Rite of Return is a rite of passage for veterans seeking to answer the soul’s call for deep healing in the wilderness in order to lay down what longer serves and step into who you are truly called to be after military service
Not Just Statistics to Me - 988 Crisis Line - Jo Arlow Full blog post at www.veteranrites.org/blog WASHINGTON STATE HAS A NEW LICENSE PLATE EMBLEM HIGHLIGHTING THE 988 CRISIS HOTLINE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION, WITH FUNDING FOR VETERAN COMMUNITY AND
A dear friend to Veteran Rites has boarded for his final destination. Vietnam Veteran, Elder, Peer Support Specialist, embodied advocate of turning our wounds into peacemaking. We Salute you and your family for your example and sacrifice. Farewell
Stay strong. You got this. Posted @withrepost • @michele_bavassano Wild Poland 2023 🦬 From 20 to 25 February 2023 I will hold a wildlife photography workshop in Poland. Available for Italian and English speakers. ℹ️ Would you like to join?
Some Unimaginable Bird that Loves Us - Winter Solstice White-Eyes by MARY OLIVER In winter all the singing is in the tops of the trees where the wind-bird with its white eyes shoves and pushes among the branches. Like any of us he wants to
Posted @withrepost • @onewildlife December is deep upon us and here in the Northern Hemisphere the days are short and the nights are long. However, celebrated around the 21st December, the Winter Solstice is a turning point in the year, where a
Posted @withrepost • @geometry.in.nature Light is the source of life energy — the engine responsible for all motion and forms in the universe. Photo author unknown, please comment for credit. #geometryinnature #fractalsinnature #sacredge
Friend of VR. Consider this a must have for your parenting tool bag. Hey community! Couldn’t make it to our in-person book launches in Washington? We are excited to share that we will be gathering the larger circles of our community for this
Amazing offering by Army Veteran, Culture Broker, and Rite of Return Initiate Aaron Pina to empower dads to step up their game with a support team behind them. Funded through the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy.
This is a beautiful event and directly supports the Cowlitz Warriors Program. Do it!
Love and Honor
First Fridays at 10am at the Seattle Vet Center (305 S Lucile St #140, Seattle, WA 98108). In-Person Veteran Vibrations Frequency Meditation funded by the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy. RSVP at the www.VeteranRites.org/gath
ADAM M. RAUMA, USMC - OIF JIM VINES, ARMY - VIETNAM BRYAN DIAGLE, USMC - OEF CODY DENHAM, ARMY - OEF GREGORY M. LEWIS, NAVY - SOF LARRY MEDOFF, ARMY - VIETNAM WASHINGTON GOLD STAR FAMILIES We are grateful and honored to share the names of the Veter
What badasses #welcomehome #givingtuesday #veteranrites
Shoutout to all our Task Force 12 Partners on #GivingTuesday check em out! Posted @withrepost • @heroeshomestead Heroes Homestead volunteers ROCKED IT! Joining Seahawks Task Force 12- we TRIPLED the fundraising efforts for Seattle Seahawks Spi