What does healing look like for a combat veteran after war? In this episode of Operation Mission Possible, Joseph VanFonda, USMC SgtMaj (Ret.) and CEO of Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF), sits down with Forged Valor co-founders Col. John Mayer (Ret.) and Mo Smith.
They discuss how Forged Valor grew out of work with catastrophically wounded Marines at Walter Reed, and why horses, ranch work, and meaningful purpose can play such a powerful role in recovery. John reflects on the early days of bringing wounded veterans into the arena and onto working ranches, while Mo shares how he was called in to help shape what would become Forged Valor.
This conversation explores resilience, service, identity, and the importance of giving veterans more than treatment alone, giving them something noble to be part of again.
