Dr. Rick Trietley
(Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, Retired)
President, Viterbo University
For most of my life, I understood very little about the man, St. Francis of Assisi. While I had heard the name and the stories of his unique relationships with animals and nature, I did not comprehend the profound impact of his life as a privileged youth, soldier, prisoner of war, wounded veteran, peacemaker and servant of God. The stories, life experiences and inspiring accomplishments of this simple yet complex man became a shining light for me and a source of personal healing and redemption.
My 22-year active-duty Army career began in 1986 as an infantry officer. My service took my family and me to Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Wainwright, Ark.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Leavenworth, Kans.; and many other locations. While serving at Fort Bragg, with the 82nd Airborne Division, the tragic events of 9/11 occurred. These events set in motion my eventual combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2003. As the second-in-command of over 3,200 paratroopers, the deployment was challenging, rewarding, exciting and life changing. I attribute my faith, continual prayers, desire to make it home to my family and an unwavering commitment to our soldiers and the mission as the reasons that I persevered. However, like many veterans, the experiences of combat took a mental toll on me, which I did not fully understand or accept until years later.
For nearly 15 years, I experienced vivid and sometimes troubling dreams, anxiety, hypervigilance (“head on a swivel”), lack of patience and other effects that I now realize were associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite this, I was able to function at a high level, and my family and personal relationships did not suffer. However, I did not feel right. Something was off. I convinced myself to just suck it up. Airborne Rangers never complain and never make excuses, so I continued to deny the truth and avoided addressing the problem.
A Pilgrimage to Assisi
As providence would have it, I had the opportunity to travel to Rome in 2014 as part of an Assisi Veterans’ Pilgrimage, led by the Franciscan Pilgrimage Program. It was a transformative experience to walk in St. Francis’s footsteps, learn about his life journey, touch the same spaces he did almost 800 years ago and begin the process of letting go of the guilt I had been carrying.
I was accompanied by fellow veterans who shared similar experiences and challenges. I listened to them, and they listened to me. It was also on this pilgrimage that I met Father Conrad Targonski, a retired military chaplain and Navy captain who led the pilgrimage. Father Conrad and I forged a friendship that continues to this day. I like to say that Afghanistan took me to Assisi, and Assisi led me on a journey to forgiveness, healing and redemption. I returned from the pilgrimage with a new outlook, “less baggage,” and hope for the future. I had a new outlook on life, feeling lighter and filled with hope for the future.
Helping Veterans Connect with St. Francis
Fast-forward four more years to a new opportunity in my higher education career as divine providence surfaced once again. I was recruited to serve at another Catholic Franciscan university in the Midwest. The university chaplain at this school was none other than Father Conrad. I accepted the position and, with Father Conrad’s assistance, finally sought the help I had avoided for so many years. Father Conrad and I also partnered to recruit more veterans for the Veterans’ Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi.
Additionally, Father John Cella of the Franciscan Pilgrimage Company provided me with the opportunity to serve as the liaison for the Veterans’ Pilgrimage. Our goal remains to serve our nation’s veterans by providing opportunities for healing, support and camaraderie with fellow veterans through the veterans’ pilgrimage experience. We have expanded to two veterans’ pilgrimages per year. We actively recruit veterans from the Korean War to the present day to join us in Assisi and Rome.
I returned to Assisi and Rome in 2018, accompanied by my wife of 37 years, Michele. The opportunity to share this experience with her and finally tell my personal story to the other veterans and spouses in attendance was meaningful and therapeutic.
Service as the “Lesser Brother”
I currently serve as the president of Viterbo University in La Crosse and have the privilege to work with Father Conrad every day as we continue to support our student veterans and their families. We are incredibly proud that Viterbo has once again earned the designation as a Military Friendly “Gold” status institution. Serving those who so selflessly served our great nation is an amazing honor.
The life and example of St. Francis have brought renewed clarity and inspiration to my personal and professional lives. Through humility, surrender and acceptance, I have journeyed with fellow veterans, family members and friends to follow in his footsteps. My post-military service experiences have reinforced my commitment to servant leadership and the concept of leadership as a “lesser brother.” I am truly blessed for all that God has provided in my life and will continue to live with a spirit of charity, service to others and deep faith. Thank you, St. Francis, for opening my eyes, ears and heart to this journey—a good journey indeed.
“Pace-e-Bene.”