Lake County Parks Honors Veterans with a Veterans Day Gratitude Reception and New Trail

On Saturday, November 7, Veterans, students, and NWI residents gathered at Hebron, Indiana’s Stoney Run County Park to hold a morning gratitude reception in recognition of Veterans Day. There was, however, another point to this reception – Lake County Parks also soft opened their new trail, a project they call Trail of Hope.

The reception started with the reciting of two poems, each punctuated by several songs sung by Hobart High School’s Wolffgang choir. Refreshments, including boxes of donuts and taps full of hot coffee, were provided by Family Express, attendees enjoyed them throughout the morning. 

“Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and suffer long.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jason Zaideman, the founder of Operation Charlie Bravo, a non profit dedicated to helping Veterans find relief from the common issues that plague them, gave the final speech of the reception. He played a major role in putting together this new trail, and he spoke about the importance of it, both for Veterans, and anyone dealing with mental health struggles.

“It’s hard for Veterans to communicate their feelings on what they’ve been through,” Zaideman said, “But it’s also very difficult for everyone else in society to understand them as well. The idea of Trail of Hope was not just a name; it was an actual thing.”

Attendees of the reception were given a guided walk along the Trail of Hope with Zaideman. It was an extremely powerful hike, weaving through the autumn foliage of Stoney Run County Park. There were signs placed along the path depicting encouraging quotes made in coordination with Lake County Parks and Zaideman.

“We hope that these signs really hit home for everyone, not just Veterans, but anyone that might be struggling or have lost someone. We hope that people have the ability to walk this trail and move down a different path. Maybe you take a different fork in a road or a fork in a path – It’s just like life,” Zaideman said.

The origins of Zaideman’s strong held conviction of helping veterans stems from his experiences. He had grown up as the son of a Vietnam War Veteran, and, throughout his life, watched his father grapple with the struggles that his service had left him. Zaideman himself is a Veteran, and has an intimate understanding of the issues that plague them, the dark thoughts that can brew. His work with Operation Charlie Bravo, as well as on the Trail of Hope, reflect this desire to help his people.

“My father was a Vietnam Veteran, and seeing him waste away and give up on life was something that really hit home to me. I didn’t understand what was going on with him, even though I was a Veteran myself, and I had my own traumas, physically and mentally, for my service. As I grew older, I still carried along all those things that I witnessed in my dad’s life, and the mental health struggles that Veterans go through, especially as they age and they get older. This is something that mental health in Veterans, especially because of the things that we’ve been through, is a very difficult thing for society to to realize, it’s hard for Veterans to communicate their feelings on what they’ve been through. So, what we’ve done over the years in this organization was bringing Veterans together, so that we could help solve each other’s problems.”

Lake County Parks’ Veterans Day Celebration was an intimate service, for both the community and veterans. The weight of the trail and its message was certainly felt, and the community responded with strong support. Attendees had the opportunity to socialize with each other, grab a donut, and enjoy live music. 

For civilians, the reception taught more about what Veterans go through after their service. For Veterans, it offered a chance to not just be recognized, but heard.

“Look back only for as long as you must,
Then go forward into the history you will make.

Be good, then better.  Write books.  Cure disease.
Make us proud.  Make yourself proud.

And those who came before you?  When you hear thunder,
Hear it as their applause.”

-Alberto Rios

We’ll keep you posted on this trail project when these dynamic partners are ready to officially open the trail for all at Stoney Run County Park. In the meantime, if you would like to donate to the project or sponsor next year’s event — please reach out to KaraM@LakeCounty Parks.com.

For more information on Lake County Parks, visit lakecountyparks.com.  For more information on Operation Charlie Bravo, visit https://www.combatbikesaver.org.