By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
In the last couple of weeks, my life has been powerfully impacted by a young woman by the name of Emily Larson, who, with the support of her husband Rich, has launched a 501 (c)(3) support group for veterans, first responders, families, and caregivers that is called Forward Ascent. I find the name fascinating, as it captures the two things in life that are the most challenging—moving forward AND moving up, especially after things like deployments, combat, PTSD, trauma, or just plain life throwing hard curves and smacking us. We don’t usually blend the two movements in conversation, but really, when you think about it, the title of the organization itself serves to give determination and strength.
Emily was inspired to start this group for the sake of others as well as pursuing her own “forward ascent,” and she knew that number one, she didn’t want to do it alone; and number two, the power of community, the grace of God, and “ohana” is something that should be available to those who have experienced the call to put themselves in harm’s way for our safety and freedom. At first, she thought she was going to primarily focus on women, but having remarried a good man who served in Desert Storm as well as OIF caused her to see she needed to increase the size of her vision.
Emily is in the life-long process of letting God turn pain into purpose, and her story is all too common. Her first husband, who had served in the military, secretly struggled with substances, and when Emily was 3 months pregnant with her daughter Faith, he unexpectedly died in his sleep as a result. What came after was a nightmare quagmire of discovering that nearly everything he had told her was a lie, their affairs were in complete disarray, benefits would not be forthcoming, and more. On this side, Emily will never have the answer to the question, “If something like Forward Ascent had been in place to help him, would he have been able to straighten his life out?” But she is determined to make sure that others don’t have to experience what she did.
Here is where the Hawaiian concept of “ohana” comes in, and amusingly, it comes from the cartoon film and TV series, Lilo & Stitch. When Emily was young, she loves the characters and how they transformed into the extended ohana family that includes being chosen as a family member and never abandoned. Stitch was changed by that love and commitment, and over time goes from being a creator of chaos and mayhem to a family member that goes to great lengths to protect his adopted tribe. He becomes a “redeemed rascal,” and lives out the decision that no one gets left behind, and no one has to do it alone.
That quality is what Emily and Rich want as the foundation of Forward Ascent. They met in 2024 at a Combat Vets Bikers event and were married just a few months later. “I was done, and so was Rich, when it came to the idea of ever remarrying,” Emily told me, and we all laughed about how God laughs at our plans. Rich completely backs Emily in her endeavors, including being crisis trained, getting her life coach certification, and starting Forward Ascent. He also loves being a dad to Faith.
The first launch meeting, or Rally Point for Forward Ascent occurred at the Scout House in Athens on July 20, and focused on vets and first responders. The second was on July 23 and primarily was for families and caregivers. The scope of what is offered includes fellowship, resources, crisis prevention, and a safe place where people and families can move forward together, even if it’s inch by inch.
I asked Emily why I should choose Forward Ascent when there are so many veteran and first responder/family and caregiver organizations already in existence and who are doing good work. And while I have come to observe firsthand how she supports other groups and has no desire to compete, her answer was simple and no surprise to me: “Ohana. I’ll be with you.”
If you want to be on the ground floor of an organization that has as its mission statement to “empower, guide and lift those who serve—and those who stand beside them—by building connections, providing support, and offering the tools and resources to thrive,” then come to the next Rally Point meeting at the Scout House at 313 E. Washington Street on Monday, August 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and see if this is your tribe.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
