ABOUT

Here at Veterans in Parks, I am driven by a single goal: to do my part in exposing our Nation's service members, Veterans, and Gold Star Families to the healing powers of nature.

This website and movement will likely change drastically over time, but the overall idea is to provide the opportunity to experience the absolute joy that our National Parks and Lands have brought to myself, and my late partner and best friend, Alexander Lofgren. 

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The idea for this initiative was born out of a love of nature, love for and heartbreak over the death of my best friend and partner Alexander Lofgren, a lifelong desire to help others, and to make the world a better and more positive place.

There is so much good and an immeasurable amount of beauty out there, and I think it needs to be celebrated and accessible without boundaries by the heroes that have served our country - past and present. The National Parks and lands changed our lives for the better, and I know it can change yours too.

All because of Alex.

On December 27, 2021, the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act was signed into law, recognizing the life of my US Army Veteran for his love of nature and his lifelong dedication to helping Veterans. I am on a mission to ensure this incredible Act is known, utilized, and loved by all who deserve it most.

On April 4th, 2021, I lost the love of my life in a tragic and brutal hiking accident. After falling 70’ from a cliffside in Death Valley National Park, Alex suffered incomprehensible injuries and was left stranded on a steep, desolate, impassible canyon ledge. Without hesitation, I was able to downclimb halfway, but fell the remainder of the way. I was able to be by his side and comfort him until he succumbed to his injuries about 30 minutes later. From that moment on, I relied fully on mental fortitude, determination, and hope to make it out alive, because nothing seemed real or survivable after the moment of his passing.

I suffered a severe ankle injury, snapping both my tibia and fibula in half upon impact. I was stranded on the same small cliff by his side for six days, unable to move or call for help. I was surrounded by two vertical walls towering hundreds of feet to my left and right, a 70’ vertical climb behind me where I fell from, and a 100’ vertical drops in front of me.

I don’t know fully why I’m alive, but this Act and this account/initiative is the best I’ve got. I have to dig deep every day to find my purpose, but I certainly have the fortitude and encouragement from my guardian angel to keep me going.