ABOVE: A progress photo of the Bravo Zulu House in northern Martin County. Construction on the building started in November and is expected to wrap up in the late spring. Submitted photo.

FAIRMONT– A lot of progress was made on the Bravo Zulu House in 2024, both in terms of fundraising and building. The all-military sober home, located in northern Martin County, is expected to be completed in the late spring of 2025.

After the ground breaking in May 2024, persistent and heavy rain put a damper on the house that was to be remodeled. As a result, plans changed and now a 13 bedroom, 5,000 sq. ft. shouse (shed-house) is being built to house the men.

Servant Leader, Tim Murray, said the framing started to go up before Thanksgiving. Since the beginning, those behind the Bravo Zulu House have planned to use local contractors and what’s more, some are even veterans themselves.

“The priority was to spend the money on veteran-related businesses or Martin County-related businesses,” Murray said.

He said Rodney Hinz of the Tom and Rodney Hinz brothers, is a Vietnam Veteran who has been heavily involved in the building thus far.

With an original fundraising goal of $1.2 million, about $1 million has been raised so far, with half being monetary donations and half in-kind donations.

Along with actually building the structure, a portion of the funds are being used to construct a 13 dog kennel and pay for equipment to start a hydroponic farming operating, both of which will serve as therapy for the men.

“We have roughly $200,000 left,” Murray said. “The response and support we’re getting from Martin County, all the way up to Mankato, and from the local Winnebago folks has been really outstanding,” Murray said.

He spoke about the success of a recent trap shooting contest that took place on Dec. 21 at Center Creek Gun Club in Winnebago.

Murray said they had approached the club with the idea of Bravo Zulu buying 13 annual memberships for its future tenants and donating some safes, and the club gladly let them use the venue for the event at no charge.

“We had 40 shooters and probably another 40 spectators. We had 80 people out there, it was unbelievable,” Murray said.

He said it served as both a community event with Santa, live music and raffle tickets, as well as a fundraiser. Ultimately they raised about $3,000.

“It’s a good example of the Winnebago community stepping up and embracing this house,” Murray said.

He is in conversation with the Center Creek Gun Club about doing another event in the summer.

For now, the plan is to continue building and fundraising throughout the winter and spring.

“We’re looking at the last week of May for our grand opening and ribbon cutting. That’s the target right now,” Murray said.

They won’t start accepting people to live in the house until about 30 days prior to opening because they will be taking people directly from treatment.

“Of all the concerns we have, filling the house is not one of them,” Murray said.

Bravo Zulu House is under parent organization Trinity Sober Homes, which is in contact with roughly 300 treatment centers across the midwest and rest of the country.

There are about 15,000 treatment centers in the U.S. and roughly 300 that Murray has identified as specializing in helping veterans. However, he hasn’t been able to find any that specifically address both addiction and PTSD.

“Since 9/11, in the last 23 years, we’ve lost about 7,500 troops in combat and we mourn every one of those losses. It’s a big deal,” Murray said. “In that same 23 year period, 120,000 veterans have committed suicide and 90 percent of them have PTSD and addition problems.”

Bravo Zulu House boasts methods that will specifically address that, which is why it is adding the therapy dogs and hydroponic farming operation.

All in all, Murray is happy with where they are currently at and he specifically thanked the Fairmont American Legion, Fairmont VFW, Knights of Columbus and various service clubs that have stepped up to help.

“Really there are so many organizations that have stepped up,” Murray said.