Ranch Offers Vets A Place To Heal

2019 - Volume #43, Issue #5, Page #19

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Rolling hills, tree-bordered fields and an inviting homestead are all part of what attracts visitors to “The Ranch” in South Dakota, which is dedicated to veterans, especially those with PTSD.
World-class pheasant hunting is also a big draw for veterans, but owner Ken Korkow knows there is more at work at his South Dakota ranch.
“The Holy Spirit is there,” says the former Marine who survived the 77-day siege of the Khe Sanh Combat Base during the Vietnam war. The Navy Cross and Purple Heart recipient was seriously wounded while rescuing wounded men during the siege. He nearly died, and when he survived was told he would never walk.
Korkow not only walked, but was driven to work hard and became a successful land broker. But joy and hope in his life were elusive as he anguished over survivor’s guilt.
“I was a real jerk,” he says of his behavior for many years. “I am amazed that my wife Liz stuck with me.”
Whether it’s being a driven-workaholic or addicted to alcohol, drugs or risky behavior, veterans “medicate” themselves to fight off the demons of war, Korkow says.
After hitting rock-bottom, a Bible study mentor helped lead him to surrender control to Jesus, he says.
Since then, Korkow trademarked the quote that “God doesn’t waste pain.” He adds, “You’ve gotta feel it to heal it.”
His surrender led to opening up the 540-acre ranch he inherited about 20 miles southeast of Pierre, A.K., as a retreat for veterans.
Veterans pay nothing; the Korkows invest their own resources along with donations they receive, to keep the ranch operating.
With an extended pheasant hunting season granted by the state, veterans come for the hunt, but discover much more. With a bunkhouse and remodeled grain bin, the ranch accommodates up to 28 people at a time, with 4 rooms that are wheelchair accessible. Liz cooks meals for guests. There’s a shooting range, a track for high-speed ATV racing, horse therapy, and a 25-ft. tower with a hot tub that has an awesome view.
The Ranch shares materials Ken has developed, which have been approved by the Marine Corps commandant, though there’s no set program, Korkow says. But between activities, guests share stories and their deepest emotions. There are giant bonfires and walks around the ranch that pass sculptures, including an Iwo Jima statue, giant shotgun, and a wooden cross.
He believes that whenever people contact him it’s a “divine appointment,” that he must answer.
For more about the ranch, check out the video and information on the website.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ken Korkow, 1905 S. 113th Ave., Omaha, Neb. 68144 (ph 402 677-7082; www.theranchministries.com; kkorkow@cbmc.com).

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Ranch Offers Vets A Place To Heal BUILDINGS Miscellaneous Rolling hills tree-bordered fields and an inviting homestead are all part of what attracts visitors to “The Ranch” in South Dakota which is dedicated to veterans especially those with PTSD World-class pheasant hunting is also a big draw for veterans but owner Ken Korkow knows there is more at work at his South Dakota ranch “The Holy Spirit is there ” says the former Marine who survived the 77-day siege of the Khe Sanh Combat Base during the Vietnam war The Navy Cross and Purple Heart recipient was seriously wounded while rescuing wounded men during the siege He nearly died and when he survived was told he would never walk Korkow not only walked but was driven to work hard and became a successful land broker But joy and hope in his life were elusive as he anguished over survivor’s guilt “I was a real jerk ” he says of his behavior for many years “I am amazed that my wife Liz stuck with me ” Whether it’s being a driven-workaholic or addicted to alcohol drugs or risky behavior veterans “medicate” themselves to fight off the demons of war Korkow says After hitting rock-bottom a Bible study mentor helped lead him to surrender control to Jesus he says Since then Korkow trademarked the quote that “God doesn’t waste pain ” He adds “You’ve gotta feel it to heal it ” His surrender led to opening up the 540-acre ranch he inherited about 20 miles southeast of Pierre A K as a retreat for veterans Veterans pay nothing; the Korkows invest their own resources along with donations they receive to keep the ranch operating With an extended pheasant hunting season granted by the state veterans come for the hunt but discover much more With a bunkhouse and remodeled grain bin the ranch accommodates up to 28 people at a time with 4 rooms that are wheelchair accessible Liz cooks meals for guests There’s a shooting range a track for high-speed ATV racing horse therapy and a 25-ft tower with a hot tub that has an awesome view The Ranch shares materials Ken has developed which have been approved by the Marine Corps commandant though there’s no set program Korkow says But between activities guests share stories and their deepest emotions There are giant bonfires and walks around the ranch that pass sculptures including an Iwo Jima statue giant shotgun and a wooden cross He believes that whenever people contact him it’s a “divine appointment ” that he must answer For more about the ranch check out the video and information on the website Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ken Korkow 1905 S 113th Ave Omaha Neb 68144 ph 402 677-7082; www theranchministries com; kkorkow@cbmc com

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