Valhalla is a nonprofit retreat in the Ozark mountains dedicated to assisting post-9/11 combat soldiers and warzone civilian workers. At Valhalla, guests can decompress, learn new skills like sustainable building, gardening, and animal husbandry. The 200-acre property offers housing, forests, pastures and opportunities for farming, crafting, and community. Founders are preparing the land and facilities to serve as a self-sustaining sanctuary starting in 2012.

1. Valhalla
A special retreat for
Post-9/11 combat Soldiers
& combat zone civilian
workers

4. The ancient Norse legend
told how half the Soldiers
who died in battle went
to Valhalla, where they
became comrades
again… forever

6. The Soldiers of Valhalla
worked during the day
and tended their wounds
at night. They took
care of each other.

8. They also feasted each night
in the Great Hall of Odin

9. Many of today’s Soldiers
are feeling the stress from
multiple deployments
and hardships.

11. They’re tired,
often worn out.

16. So are some of the
civilian workers who also
live and work in the
war zones alongside
Soldiers.

20. Their work and the
overall working
conditions are difficult
even on the best days.

24. Typical accommodations
are pretty depressing
at best.

28. And don’t even
mention the food, which is
still better than MREs.

30. They should have a
place like Valhalla to
decompress, readjust afte
returning from combat,
learn new skills, and
just have fun!

31. We found what will be Valhalla
on 200 acres in the Ozark mounta

32. Hunting, fishing, and
the chance to set up
and work on a farm, and
learn to build cabins
and cottages from
scratch.

33. So who are we
and why do we want
to create Valhalla?

34. The Valhalla Project
is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to assisting
post-9/11 combat Soldiers
and warzone civilian
workers

35. The founding
Valhalla Project Inc.
Board of Directors

36. Lt. Colonel (ret.) Gordon Cucullu
President & Valhalla Co-founder

37. Chris Fontana Cucullu (civilian),
Valhalla Project Founder & Treasurer

38. Major Theo Polet (Army Nat’l Guard),
Secretary

39. Lt. Colonel Tom Lombardo (US Army)
Director

40. MSG Mike Stillwell (US Army)
Director

41. The Board serves
without drawing salaries,
benefits, or other
compensation.

42. Why are we doing this?
Because we’ve all been
down range and know
the realities and
challenges personally.

43. Valhalla has a large house for ten
people.
Someday Valhalla will host up to 50 at a

45. Soldiers and selected
civilians will be able to
visit for a weekend or
stay for up to 3 months
at a time. What will
they do at Valhalla?

47. We saw what some Soldier
built from scratch using
scavenged materials for
their FOB (Forward
Operating Base) in
Afghanistan

52. Those at Valhalla will be
building energy efficient
off-the-grid cabins…
for themselves, and also
for future generations of
Soldiers and combat zone
civilian workers

53. Straw bale building example

54. Straw bale plastering example

55. Completed straw bale cabin

56. Straw bale building interior

57. Cob (clay & straw) example

58. Completed cob cabin example

59. Earthbag building example

60. Completed earthbag cabin

61. Why will building cabins
be so important? Because
Soldiers can’t go back to
FOBs that meant a lot to
them, but they will be able
to come back to Valhalla
each year if they want to.

62. The soil at Valhalla is very rich in clay

63. Clay like this is perfect for cob
building

64. Clay is also great for straw bale
plasters

65. Building cabins will give
a sense of
accomplishment
and confidence in the
civilian world, and teach
skills so individuals can
build their own

66. So what else will
the Soldiers and war
zone civilian workers
do at Valhalla?

67. Soldiers and US civilians
in Afghanistan have been
teaching villagers how to
farm. Some units also keep
their own chickens and
goats for food.

70. Good food starts with
healthy, happy animals
so Valhalla will have
chickens, sheep, goats,
rabbits, a few cattle and
other livestock to care for

71. Chickens for eggs and pest
control

72. Goats for
milk, meat,
and weed
control

73. Donkeys for guarding the
smaller farm animals

74. Cattle for milk and meat

75. Hay is already being grown in
Valhalla’s pastures

76. Friendly neighbors willing to

77. Raised bed vegetable
and herb gardens as well
as orchards and berry
patches will grow the
additional fruits and
other foods needed

78. Raised bed gardening example

79. Another example

80. Another raised bed garden
approach

81. The 200-acre Valhalla
property has an incredible
array of forests, pastures
and features that offer
endless possibilities.

82. Tall trees and forests

83. Pasture lands

84. Creeks and streams

85. Building sites for cabins &
cottages

86. Countless places to camp

87. Deer are everywhere

88. The friendliest dirt delivery man
ever

89. That’s really great dirt for the

90. Deer scouting the planned garden

91. Get out of there, now!

92. We’ve found wild turkey eggs

93. The old abandoned farmhouse

94. 200 acres is a lot of area!

95. So what are we
doing today to make
Valhalla a reality by
Spring of 2012?

96. We’ve acquired the
property and are now
preparing the existing
house for the first
“Valhallans.”

97. The sunken living
room floor was a
safety hazard so
it has been
raised.

98. Narrow
doorways have
been widened
to allow for
wheelchair
access...

99. A cramped bathroom has been
converted into an open wet room
for
those with mobility challenges

101. Valhalla needed an office, so
space
from the oversized master

106. Many beds have been acquired so
up to ten people at a time will
have places to sleep by next

110. Other basic furniture is also
being

112. Other essential furniture is still
being acquired with frugality
in mind at all times.

114. EnergyStar super-
efficient
appliances
must be
purchased
new, but they
will help Valhalla
save energy and
resources in the

116. The first initial
environmental initiatives
have also been launched
on the Valhalla property to
prepare for not only people
but also the animals
we will all depend on.

117. Tons of lime have been applied to
the neglected pastures to help
build

118. Abandoned vehicles that have
been leaching toxins into the soil
have

119. Health and safety hazards of all
kinds that posed a threat to
animals and people are being

120. One small pond was choking on
livestock manure, cattails and

121. It’s been enlarged and completely
rebuilt to ensure that both
livestock

122. A deer feeder had been set up;
wildlife food plots will be planted

123. And we are working on
building positive
working
relationships – and
awareness – of the
Valhalla Project within
local neighborhoods.

127. Response has been
wonderful so far.
Civilians wanting to
honor Soldiers are
investing their spare
time and equipment to
help Valhalla happen.

130. It is our intent to
serve as a prototype
that
can be copied all over
the USA to help
ordinary people assist
those who have given

131. V is for Valhalla (satellite view)

132. Military support.
Mental health.
Environmental
sustainability.
These are our
objectives.

133. But about $400,000
into it by
ourselves, now
we need help too.

134. How can you help?
By getting the word
out.
Tell your friends about
the Valhalla Project.

135. You can also buy a book called
“Warrior Police” that first inspired
the Valhalla project

136. “Warrior Police” authors Gordon and
Chris Fontana Cucullu are the
founders
of the Valhalla Project, and they live
at Valhalla as managers to make sure
the vision is carried out as intended.

137. Any and all
profits from the
new book
Warrior Police
will help finance
Valhalla, yet
more will be
needed.

138. For more information,
please visit the Valhalla
blog on the internet:
www.valhalla-project.com

139. Or contact Valhalla
at
valhalla.mailbox@gmail.com

140. Thank you in advance
for your support.
It’s all about the Soldiers
war zone civilian workers,
and what must be done
to help them thrive.