BY KAREN BOSSICK

As a former Navy SEAL officer, Cole Petrie understands the “band of brothers” mentality that exists between service men and women who have had one another’s back during conflict.

So, he was humbled to learn how an Army medic who earned three Purple Hearts while serving on  battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan had found that sense of camaraderie while taking part in a Higher Ground camp for wounded warriors.

“He felt a boom while riding in an armored vehicle and the two men behind him died and the guy in front of him lost his legs. Matthew couldn’t walk for a couple years and was in a real dark place when he came to us,” said Petrie. “But he went on to write a book “Why My Heart is Purple,” full of stories about combat medics. That goes to show you that the impact Higher Ground has not only here in the community but for vets and first responders outside the community, as well.”

Petrie expects to learn of many more stories like that one as the new chief officer of Higher Ground, which uses adaptive sport to help 1,100 men, women and children with disabilities achieve a better quality of life.

“They’ve done a great job the last 25 years when it comes to fiscal growth so we look to serve more people. The passion of the staff is so evident and the passion the board has for Higher Ground is very unique. It’s inspiring the act of service that goes on. Everybody here is here to serve others,” he said.

Petrie grew up in a Portland suburb, his parents involved in real estate. He himself took a job as commercial real estate agent in Denver after graduating with degrees in entrepreneurship and finance from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. But one day he looked around at the stressed-out employees in his office and realized: “That’s going to be me if I don’t do something else.”

That something else might have proven highly stressful for others, but Petrie loved the multiple calisthenics, close-quarters combat and cold weather training of Navy SEALS basic training—so difficult that only 200 of a thousand candidates succeed.

He spent two stints in Iraq during 2019 and 2020, enduring 120-degree temperatures during summer and snow during winter.

“We went out after ISIS targets. We had trained so much, and our training was so realistic we didn’t get scared. It was habit,” he said. “It was a great adventure surrounded by great people from different backgrounds.  The hardest part was getting up at 3 every morning and pulling on your shoes. But the hard truth for everything is: You’ve got to show up.”

Moving to the Wood River Valley to join Higher Ground was not a hard decision. His parents Craig and Brynda, who had already moved here fulltime eight years ago, brought Cole and his younger brother to Sun Valley to ski over spring break when they were young.

“I started skiing at 2. I remember sledding Penny Hill, skiing out of the old Dollar Lodge and sitting in the old hot tub outside the inn. While Coronado Naval Base was always sunny and 75 degrees, I missed the seasons, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, I’m looking forward to getting back on skis this year.”

Since reporting for duty this summer, Petrie has taken part in Higher Ground’s golf outings, flyfishing trips and mountain bike rides. He accompanied a raft trip on the Main Salmon River, took part in bocce ball games and just got back from an elk hunting rip for vets in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

“The disabled population we serve has the biggest hearts. And working with first responders reminds me of being back in platoon with a bunch of people that will drop everything and run towards harm’s way to help you.”

Petrie oversees 27 full time staff, plus 236 volunteers who offer programs daily, even on Thanksgiving and Christmas when they’re assisting adults and youth in skiing.

“There are a handful of organizations that do something similar to what we do, but there’s only one that does as well as we—and that’s Higher Ground,” he said. “We’ve been doing adaptive sports since 1999, and we began serving veterans in 2004 so we have a proven track record.”

When not taking part in what staffers call the Higher Ground “lifestyle,” Petrie can be found running with his family. Cole pushes 1-year-old son Mac in a stroller, while his wife Bridget rides a bicycle since she’s due to give birth in late March. Their golden retriever Troubadour happily bounces alongside.

Often, he’ll hearken back to his Navy SEAL days, getting up early to run in the dark and finishing it off with a workout in his garage.

He takes part in a Navy SEALS book club called BOTSAT (Bunch of Teammates Sitting Around Talking) that just finished reading, “How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions.” And he attends Calvary Church on Sundays where he is learning more leadership principles studying the Book of Daniel.

“My favorite Bible verse is I Thessalonians 5:16: ‘Rejoice Always.’ That’s my go-to,” he said.

One of Petrie’s hopes is to get Wood River Valley residents 8 and older back in Special Olympics. Higher Ground’s Green Team will practice racing ski gates on Dollar Mountain on Wednesday for eight weeks this winter, hot chocolate included. Wood River Valley resident Jerry Smith won a gold medal at the World Special Olympics in Korea the last time the Wood River Valley participated--about 15 years ago.

“Competition is important,” said Petrie. “It fosters motivation and teaches collaboration. It’s being part of something bigger than yourself, and it offers the camaraderie that comes with cheering one another on.”