Big Buffalo hearts help support veterans
Elaine Morrow has a big heart, volunteering with numerous charities over the years, but veterans and service members hold a special place. Every two weeks, with the help of neighbor Thomas Loeffler, Elaine loads her silver Ford Escape to capacity and drives to Sauk Centre to deliver a collection of donated items to the veterans of Eagle’s Healing Nest, a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of veterans and military members who suffer from the effects of trauma, addiction, and homelessness.
Elaine’s youngest brother, Terry Strehlow, served in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. During his service in Vietnam, Terry was specially trained to conduct reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines, gathering information and intelligence to report to senior officials. These missions caused him to crawl through vegetation and underbrush sprayed with agent orange, a chemical herbicide used to clear foliage that acted as natural cover for the enemy. After returning home from the war, Elaine stated that her brother suffered the effects of complications from Agent Orange exposure for the remainder of his life. “Agent Orange ate up his internal organs. He was in a wheelchair and on oxygen. He suffered for many years until his death at age 68.”
Elaine remembers how her brother was always proud of his service to the county. Terry Strehlow wanted to help his fellow veterans and felt bad about negative treatment that many who served in Vietnam received upon returning home. It was Terry’s wife, Lena, who introduced Elaine to Eagle’s Healing Nest, asking for her help to donate Terry’s belongings to the organization after his passing in 2018.
Eagle’s Healing Nest:
Originally a Reform School for girls, the grounds of Eagles Healing Nest span 127 acres and are supported through the efforts of the veterans who live there. Residents work to grow crops and raise their own food, while also keeping therapy animals, which are a source of support and an integral part of each veterans’ recovery process.
The success of Eagle’s Healing Nest lies with the brotherhood and sisterhood created by the men and women who participate in the program. A unique tradition exists at the Healing Nest. If a veteran is struggling and in need of support, they don’t need to ask, they simply need to build a bonfire, and veterans who see the flames will come. This level of human bonding and peer-to-peer support plays a big role in the recovery process of the veterans at the Nest.
Many hands and many hearts have contributed to Eagle’s Healing Nest since the Sauk Centre campus opened in 2012. Buffalo Girl Scouts have completed service projects at the Nest, working to design and decorate bedrooms, while members of 4-H, along with local students, have helped to beautify the landscape around the grounds.
Therapists, counselors, and teachers have donated their time in an effort to help veterans work through the unique and complex symptoms of trauma and addiction, along with gaining job skills to be used for future employment. Elaine stated that many people associated with the Buffalo American Legion have helped by donating items for veterans at Eagle’s Healing Nest, along with various other members from the Buffalo community. “A big thanks is due the residents of Tower Hill for their generous donations, especially Gary Johnson, who is always on the lookout for items at thrift stores to clothe the veterans and spread the word. I’ve even gotten my chiropractor and dentist to donate.”
In July 2023, Eagles Healing Nest opened a unit named “The Ranch” dedicated to the treatment of traumatic brain injuries. When the unit opened and needed crutches and wheelchairs, Elaine worked to fill that need, delivering wheelchairs and walkers donated from the families of Janet Lemp and Jeanetter Entigner.
A special bench sits on the campus grounds, which honors the memory of United States Olympic Champion, Mark Pavelich, whose family sponsored the restoration for The Ranch. Pavelich was a member of the “Miracle on Ice” team, which won the gold medal in 1980, and also spent time with the Minnesota North Stars. Pavelich suffered effects from TBI, which haunted him throughout his life. Though not a veteran himself, residents at Eagle’s Healing Nest welcomed Mark, and a brotherhood was formed. A tribute article by Mark’s cousin, Jack Pavelich, states, “The Veterans there, themselves, invited Mark to be with them. They had a heart to help another with some of the very dark troubles they too had to deal with.” Ultimately, Mark Pavelich succumbed to the devastating effects of TBI. He died by suicide at Eagle’s Healing Nest in 2021.
A Spirit of Service:
Elaine comes from an upbringing of generosity and service instilled in her from a young age. “We grew up poor, everything was a hand-me-down.” Despite being poor, her mother would donate to thrift stores, and her father was a strong advocate for conservation and the protection of nature. “My parents were big on charity and helping others.”
Elaine Morrow has a mission in life, her benevolence and generous heart are the driving forces that propel her forward, along with a little help from her silver Ford Escape and friend, Tom, who loads her vehicle. “The veterans are so appreciative of the donations. It’s the least I can do for all they’ve given us.”
When a veteran leaves Eagle’s Healing Nest, they are given household supplies, such as dishes, pots, pans, and towels, which are used to outfit their new place of residence. “We always are looking for more donations and supplies to replace the ones we give to veterans when they are ready to leave.”
Elaine seeks to raise awareness for the veterans of Eagle’s Healing Nest and the work that they do to help veterans recover from mental illness, trauma, and addiction. Eagle’s Healing Nest relies solely on donations and receives no state or county funding. Elaine hopes people will make donations twice per year, once for Memorial Day, and again for Veterans Day, even offering to pick items up from generous people around the community. “As long as I can drive, I will be doing this for the veterans. Veterans are so close to my heart.” Elaine can be contacted at 952-913-2356. To learn more about Eagle’s Healing Nest or to make a donation visit: www.eagleshealingnest.org.
