MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A first-of-its-kind event in Hutchinson will give military veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder a unique escape from Fourth of July fireworks — 650 feet underground.
Passageways, a Wichita-based nonprofit that serves homeless veterans, is partnering with Strataca to host "Mission Underground," an overnight event designed to provide a quiet, safe environment for veterans who struggle with the sights, sounds and concussions of Independence Day celebrations.
Jennifer Garrison, co-founder of Passageways, said the idea grew from years of working alongside veterans experiencing PTSD.
"We knew that some of the heroes would grab backpacks, head to the Flint Hills, trespass on property, and spend the night just trying to escape fireworks," Garrison said. "It just occurred to us last year ... we just need to take them underground."
She said fireworks often trigger combat memories because of their flashes, smell and percussive blasts.
"They feel it in their body," Garrison said. "They flash back to their combat time serving this country. They did that for us, for our freedoms, and we needed to figure out a way to give them freedom for that night — freedom from their PTSD."
Veterans attending the event will check in Saturday evening before descending into the Strataca salt mine, where they will remain until 6 a.m. Sunday. The overnight experience includes meals, games, giveaways, personalized swag bags and opportunities to connect with fellow veterans.
"We're going to spoil them that night," Garrison said.
Strataca is donating the underground space for the event and providing staff support throughout the evening.
Jacob Reed, Strataca's special projects and events supervisor, said the museum is also offering complimentary mine tours and train rides to participants.
"We are donating the space for Passageways to put on the event," Reed said. "If they want to take any of the rides or anything like that, we'll give them rides for free."
While Strataca regularly hosts overnight events for groups such as scouting organizations, Reed said this is the first veterans overnight the attraction has held.
"It's a brand-new thing, and we're just happy to be as flexible as possible," Reed said. "Anything they want to do, if we can accommodate it, we will do."
The response has exceeded organizers' expectations. Garrison said 21 veterans have registered, with only two beds remaining before the event.
She hopes the inaugural program becomes an annual tradition.
"If they enjoy the event, it automatically saves a bed for them next year," Garrison said. "We're really hoping they'll spread the word to other veterans they know that struggle so we can get them some help next year as well."
Reed said Strataca is already optimistic about the future.
"Hopefully it goes well enough this year that we can figure out a way to scale it and make it possibly even a larger event next year," he said.
In addition to offering relief from fireworks, organizers hope the evening provides something many veterans say they miss most after military service — the support of fellow service members.
"This is going to be their first time to be able to relax, get out of their head and just enjoy the peace and quiet and the camaraderie with the other veterans underground," Garrison said. "They literally feel alone during this whole process. We want them to know they're not."