KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Call it the healing power of dirt.
“I’ve been given much and I think it’s time for me to give back,” said Michael Trost, a wounded veteran.
He survived a brush with death after he was hit with multiple machine gun rounds in Afghanistan. After years of surgeries and therapy, his wife saw the biggest positive change in her husband when he started working on their farm.
“I saw the healing that happened and Michael, on our farm, and I told everybody, his healing wasn't just his physical healing, but it was his spiritual and his emotional healing. And so that's when we knew there was really some depth to this,” said Stephanie Trost.
The charity, Frontline Gardens, started almost four years ago and WBIR first featured their work in a story for the Service and Sacrifice series in 2022.
“It’s just, like, catching wildfire,” said Trost with a smile.
He was speaking at the charity's biggest garden build yet. It features raised beds and will serve as the gateway to a sanctuary for fellow veterans, planned on the property of a Marine combat veteran in Morristown.
“We hope this will serve as a place where veterans can come and take a breath, relax and share some fellowship,” said Doug Rines.
He served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan and is helping build the new garden.
“There are benefits with having your hands In the soil,” said Michael Tros, another person who helped kick off the build.
With the help of Marine volunteers from Delta Company in Knoxville — within a few hours, the wood and soil transformed into a place to grow and nurture plants and a person's self.
“We have the opportunity to take a day and contribute back to the local veteran community, and help honor those who have served before us,” said Doug Wainwright of Delta Company 4th Combat Engineer Battalion.
In all, Frontline Gardens has built more than 50 gardens for veterans and first responders and is already expanding to other states. To volunteer or donate, here is a link to their site: Frontline Gardens.