CityView Magazine

Discover CityViewNC.com's fresh updated look! | 33 SAVE ON NEW & USED VEHICLES Go to www.Reveel.it and scan this page Activities like these are why Mary Katzenberger comes to Rick's Place with her 5-year-old son Tristan. Katzenberger, a sergeant first class in the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), has endured two combat deployments to Iraq. Last year, she heard about Rick's Place when it was hosting adult and youth competitions on "American Ninja Warrior" style obstacle courses. Darren Jeffrey, an executive with the company that produces the TV show's obstacle courses, serves on the board of the Herrema foundation. e competitions at Rick's Place drew a crowd, including Mary and Tristan Katzenberger. "at was fun for me but most important, for my son," she said. Katzenberger has been grappling with a recent divorce, becoming a single parent and sharing custody of Tristan with his father. e tighter financial situation worried her until Rick's Place. Tristan rode a horse for the first time during a monthly "fun" day. It was free. "Being a military parent is challenging just like any kind of parenting is," Katzenberger said. "You'll miss months out of your child's life, and it can be a hard pill to swallow as a mother. For me, the time I do have here with my son where we can make memories every time, you can't put a value on that. Rick's Place is a place he wants to go back to." Katzenberger shows her appreciation by volunteering on work days and taking professional-quality pictures for the foundation. "When you're a military family, you're transplanted from your real family and friends and hope to be a part of a family wherever you end up," she said. "When I go to Rick's Place, they remember my name and my son's. It feels like going home every time I attend an event." Herrema's family also visits Rick's Place and Dick Herrema, Rick's father, serves on the foundation's board. In April, Mary Herrema and members of her church and another church in Michigan came to Rick's Place to participate in a work day. ey helped build a stage on the grounds and clear land. at day, Mary Herrema met a military wife with seven children. Upon learning Mary Herrema's identity, the woman asked Mary for a hug and thanked her for the park. e moment stuck with Mary Herrema. Her church has since "adopted" the family and plans to send the children birthday gis and handwritten cards. "In my mind, they always say God has things happen in your life for a reason," Mary Herrema said, saying those seven children are the grandkids she won't have from Rick. "I see the good that has come out of Rick's Place and the families enjoying themselves. I see that horrible day [Rick's death] has meant something good." ere's no sign Rick's Place will slow down. e park's offerings have expanded each year and more people finding their way there. "e response of the people that come to the park shows Rick's Place addresses a very real need," Jordan said. "e Herremas so generously shoulder their own experiences and give hope to other families about how to recover from war. 'Family' is defined as the sphere of relationships the soldier calls home. It may not be their biological family, but friends and others who give them support and relationships." To learn more about the Rick Herrema Foundation and Rick's Place, visit https://www.rhfnow.org/rsvp. You can also learn more about upcoming Work and Fun Days, special events and how to help and donate.

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