ABOVE: Supporters mingle outside the Bravo Zulu House during the Grand Opening Ceremony on Wednesday.

WINNEBAGO– Just over a year after the groundbreaking ceremony, the Bravo Zulu House and its many supporters celebrated the Grand Opening of the sober living home for veterans with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) on Wednesday in northern Martin County.

Plans, however, for the Bravo Zulu House have been in the works for the last few years, ever since Tim Murray, Executive Director of Trinity Sober Homes, began looking at what other demographic needed to be served. In doing research, he discovered that 20 to 30 veterans a day nationwide are committing suicide and thousands more struggle with PTSD.

Bravo Zulu House will serve male veterans coming out of treatment facilities and act as a transitional home that will provide special services to treat PTSD, including canine therapy and hydroponic farming.

That’s always been the goal from the get-go and while some plans have changed since the groundbreaking– the original plan was to remodel a house and instead a 5,000 square foot barndominium or “shouse” was built– everyone came together on Wednesday to celebrate the near completion of the facility and the start of what’s to come next.

“This is a significant moment in history. This year we’ve had some firsts. We have the first American pope. Now in the month of May, it’s not only mental health month, but military month. It’s only fitting that we bring together this fusion of mental health and military to celebrate the Bravo Zulu House,” said Murray, before acknowledging the veterans present in the crowd of about 300.

He shared that Governor Tim Waltz had declared the day, May 28, as Bravo Zulu House day in the state of Minnesota. While she was not present, Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Southern Minnesota outreach director, Chuck Ackerman, spoke on her behalf and congratulated everyone on their commitment to and effort on the project.

“We know that one veteran struggling with drugs and PTSD and lost to suicide is one veteran too many. We can and we must do better. Bravo Zulu House is more than just a building, it provides a lifeline to veterans, supporting those with PTSD and addiction and empowering them during a challenging transition,” Ackerman read.

Several others spoke during the Grand Opening ceremony, including Jean Anderson, the mayor of Winnebago, and Lee Baarts, the mayor of Fairmont, who read a proclamation from the city, which also declared May 28, 2025 as Bravo Zulu House day in the city of Fairmont.

A few veterans, including Steve Chase, Mike Gilligan and Jack Zimmerman, also spoke of their experiences and of the importance of the Bravo Zulu House.

American Legion Post 26 Commander, Steve Fosness, who Murray said was instrumental in solidifying the Bravo Zulu House’s presence in Martin County, expressed gratitude for everyone else who believed in the project and worked toward it.

“For me it was two years ago that I got two phone calls, one from Doug Landsteiner and one from Ruth Cyphers who said, ‘you’ve got to meet with this guy.’ I’m happy that I did and it looks like it turned out pretty good,” Fosness said.

Some organizations that aided the project had representatives present, including Sofia Humphries, Senior Director of Community Impact at Housing First Minnesota, which gifted $100,000 to the Bravo Zulu House.

Dr. Karthik Ghosh, vice president of Mayo Clinic Health System Minnesota also spoke about a partnership Mayo will have with Bravo Zulu House.

“At Mayo Clinic Health System, we recognize and understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. Addressing and supporting mental health, along with providing comprehensive services and treatments is a key priority,” Ghosh said. “Our commitment extends beyond the capital campaign gift for the building itself we were so proud to be a part of… we’re also dedicated to providing a wide range of outpatient alcohol and treatment services for the residents of Bravo Zulu House.”

Murray thanked countless others who, 100 weeks ago when conversations about the project began, were instrumental in bringing it to this point.

“That small group, over the last 100 weeks, have generated over 900 meetings and presentations and one on one opportunities that then generated over 800 individuals and over 100 businesses that donated a total of $1.3 million and that includes over 50 American Legion organizations, Rotary Clubs… the Elks, Knights of Columbus, that have donated cash, labor and materials,” Murray said.

To wrap up the program, Congressman Brad Finstad presented Murray with a flag that he had flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the Grand Opening and also addressed the crowd.

“You really are the greatest example of what makes Southern Minnesota so amazing. As I look at this board and all of those that put their time, talent and treasure into this project, I don’t see the federal government or state government or taxpayers. I see you reaching into your pockets to make something in your own backyard and that’s something we should all be proud of,” Finstad said.

He expressed amazement at what was accomplished just a little over a year after the groundbreaking and said he hopes the Bravo Zulu House will be the first of many of its kind.

In closing, Joseph Votel, retired four-star general in the U.S. Army, spoke and called the Bravo Zulu House a world-class pioneering step in veteran care. Like Finstad, Votel said he hopes to see more facilities like it appear across the state and nation.

“The need for Bravo Zulu House has never been greater than it is today,” Votel said. “Bravo Zulu House will be the national model of excellence, filling critical gaps in veteran healthcare by offering integrated, behavioral help and trauma-informed services, especially given the compounded risk of suicide when trauma and substance use disorder coexist.”

While much of the work on the Bravo Zulu House has been completed, Murray said they are still fundraising for a dog kennel as each of the 13 tenants will be assigned a dog for therapy use. Those interested and willing to donate can do so at BravoZuluHouse.org.