ORE CITY, Texas — David Smithers, a U.S. Army veteran, passed away in June, and while his family is still grieving, they are also reflecting on the kind person he was.
“My husband had a difficult life. He struggled with problems himself and to get out of the city and find peace here was one of his greatest joys,” said Victoria Smithers, David's wife and co-founder of nonprofit Counting Stars Ranch in Ore City.
Victoria Smithers said it was her husband's dream to share their property with veterans struggling with PTSD.
“When this place was full of other people, laughing, the children playing, everybody's cell phone away and just all giggles he was the biggest one to get right in the middle," Smithers said.
That dream became a reality when the husband and wife duo built a supportive community with other likeminded veterans that provides a place for rest and relaxation.
“It made him feel like life had purpose and he was grateful, he said everyday thank God for another day,” she said.
For David, it was important to give back to disabled veterans and together with Victoria, they hosted three families every month for a therapeutic outdoor weekend of games, family and wildlife.
“He realized that when people come home, they carry a strong burden, many suffer with PTSD, others with physical wounds and he just had a heart for other veterans that were struggling,” she said. “We’re able to get back to the most important things and that’s love and family.”
Though David will be missed by Victoria and their family, they plan to continue his legacy.
Counting Stars Ranch plans to have three fall retreats, grow their volunteer staff, open an indoor dog training facility and continue to grow with more small cabins to host more families.
“We hope to be able to be here forever, he wanted to leave the lodge and this property for veterans for now and for always,” Smithers said.
For more information about Counting Stars Ranch and its services, visit their website here.