Operation Check Six

Mission Statement:

“Promoting the healing of trauma survivors who served in the military, as first responders, including affected family members, through the Arts, entertainment, and education.” 

Check Six: Watch your back, watch your partner’s back.

History

Operation Check Six is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation started by Dan and Angie Hudson in March 2021.  Dan is an Air Force Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran and has worked in Law Enforcement for over 25 years. After experiencing several traumatic incidents in his careers, he and his wife Angie decided it was time to find answers.

The medical professionals at the Fargo, North Dakota Veteran’s Administration walked a recovery path with Dan and Angie. Dan completed a specific program and has become a mentor and advocate for other veterans healing from trauma.  Dan also published two books, PTS ME and MEOETRY, detailing his journey to recovery, mentorship, and advocacy. He has appeared on numerous radio programs and podcasts discussing the growing epidemic of trauma for veterans and first responders.  He has created several presentations and training programs for first responders relating to trauma identification, mitigation,  and treatment. Dan and Angie, with a wonderful team of trauma survivors, have made Operation Check Six’s mission to not only just bring awareness of trauma survival, but to help them in and their families on a journey of recovery through the Arts, music, and education. 

The Arts are Therapy

Pick your art, we will try and get you paired with a mentor. There has been countless research that show the benefits music and the Arts can have for those who are experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental illness. The process of creating, writing, and playing instruments, or painting allow each person to use both sides of their brain.  The calming effect these activities can have is therapy in itself.  The of Goal Operation Check Six is to pair trauma survivors with compassionate musicians, artists, tradespeople.  As a team we create something beautiful out of sometimes an ugly situation. This pairing can be virtual, in person, or mediated by Operation Check Six personnel. 

Success Stories

In the Fall months of 2019, Dan was appointed committee member for the Warriors of the North planning group.  This group is sponsored by the Veteran’s Administration and promotes the Arts as a healing mechanism for veterans who experienced and suffer the effects of trauma.  An annual program is done to showcase the art to the community.  

Dan received a poem from a fellow board member and sexual trauma survivor. What grew was a unique friendship that included a love of writing and music. Dan plays guitar, drums, and has been around music his whole life. Together they moved some words around and created a song format.  A friend of Dan’s connected Dan with a national act singer and Mission 22 Ambassador. The singer arranged a melody and got the song produced. It has changed the survivor and Dan’s lives forever.   They have created a very special bond with the singer as she is also a survivor. 

The song is called “Collateral Damage” was released as the singer’s single at the end of March 2021.  The song is available on all music platforms. It was nominated for Independent Single of the Year. 

Humanity

Operation Check Six, it’s founder, family, and members do not discriminate individuals for their race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, political affiliation, or disabilities.  We believe in humanity and unity through the arts.   If these are not your core values, this organization not likely a match for you.  Operation Check Six believes that for us to thrive as humans, we must respect and honor our fellow humans. This is not an organization for debating personal beliefs.  Operation Check Six promotes individuals expressing themselves through their own works of art.