Deep Sea Valkyries

01/01/2026

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to take a look back on our DSV journey so far:

Since 2016, Deep Sea Valkyries has provided services to hundreds of Veterans/First Responders and Family members across the United States….

Over 7,500 hours of trauma counseling has been administered through the intensive week long trauma counseling programs.

Men and women from every branch of service

Vietnam Veterans to Active Duty

Law Enforcement, Fire, Dispatch, Medical, and Corrections from local to Federal

3252 dives totaling more than 163,000 collective feet at depth (~ 31 Miles)

148,987 minutes underwater (~ 103 days exploring and discovering the peace and serenity found beneath the waves)

More than 3,700 years of service to this country and their communities

7,300 months deployed - more than 600 collective years in combat zones.

As we conclude our 10th anniversary year of retreats and enter our next decade, just imagine what we will do next. Please consider partnering with us as part of our 2026 monthly giving campaign:

https://dsv.betterworld.org/campaigns/one-degree-course-correction-dec?

12/31/2025

12/31/2025

Happy birthday John, wishing you a new year filled with joy!

📸: Dobson Ayerule

12/31/2025

Applications close tonight, December 31st, at Midnight Eastern.
deepseavalkyries.com

12/30/2025

They served us. Now it’s our turn.
Your year-end donation helps Veterans & First Responders reclaim hope, purpose, and community.

⏳ Choose a one time gift or partner with us on a monthly basis in 2026—don’t miss your chance to give with purpose.
➡️ Donate now and create lasting change.

https://dsv.betterworld.org/campaigns/one-degree-course-correction-dec

12/29/2025

Today we raise a toast to a brother gone far too soon. We celebrate your life and your sacrifice and we are humbled to carry forward in your memory. "Here's to us and those like us.....DAMN FEW LEFT!"

12/26/2025

Only a few days remain to apply, don't miss your chance!

Applications are now live for our 2026 Veteran/First Responder Retreat, Operation Patton's Prayer (May 22-29, 2026) and will remain open through midnight (EST), December 31st. Visit our website www.deepseavalkyries.com to apply.

📸:

12/26/2025

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a beautiful new year filled with peace and wonderful next chapters.

~ The Staff of Deep Sea Valkyries

12/25/2025

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

12/23/2025

Happy birthday to one half of our favorite rap duo, hope it's a great one Jarid!

📸: Dobson

12/22/2025

APPLY TODAY for Deep Sea Valkyries summer 2026 retreat! Truly a voyage of healing for mind, body, and soul.
📸: Dobson
https://www.deepseavalkyries.com

12/21/2025

Happy birthday Onanimal!!