Burr Forges Coalition Between Elks and Veterans Groups
Operation Second Chance brought him here for a visit; finding a sense of home brought him back to stay
By Denise Rivette
When Elks Exalted Ruler Darlene Sirrine was looking to expand the Elks’ Veterans program beyond the monthly meal and subsidies they are known for, she met with Jason Burr. Burr had already been thinking about bringing Operation Second Chance and the local VFW together with the Beartooth Elks Lodge in Red Lodge to create an outreach effort to Carbon County veterans with the goals of making sure veterans have what they need and that they know a welcoming community is here for them. Sirrine said these shared goals and Burr’s can-do attitude combined with his life skills made him the standout candidate to chair the Lodge’s veteran committee. Sirrine officially installed Burr as chair of the Beartooth Elks Lodge Veterans Committee earlier this month. Sirrine observed, “We’re lucky to have such a dedicated and talented veteran become an Elk and even more fortunate that he’s willing to lead our most cherished committee in this program expansion.” Burr brings a veteran’s heart, a servant’s soul and a warrior’s determination to the task. Carbon County is lucky he found his way here and that he chose to stay.
From the moment he emerged from his first plunge into Sioux Charley Lake, Jason Burr knew that this part of Montana is where he wants to spend the rest of his life. He moved here soon after that experience and joined organizations that share his values and allow him to use his skills and experiences to help others.
Burr brings 17 years of Army experience including six years as Infantry and eleven years as Special Forces. He also spent a year in the hospital at Walter Reed after being shot twice in Afghanistan. Eventually medically retired, Burr continued contracting with the government as he made his way back into civilian life. Then, as luck would have it, local veterans organization Operation Second Chance gave him the opportunity to find his home. In his own words:
“I came out here with Operation second chance on a summer retreat for a week. And I'll never forget it. We rode horses up to Sioux Charley. And I was like, ‘Can I get in that lake?’ They're like, ‘Man, it's 37 degrees, but okay.’ So I'm like, ‘I'm going!’ And, bloop, in I went. When I came out of that water, I knew I wanted to live here. It was just, I've never called a place home my entire military career and doing other things. I told Bob Larson (of Operation Second Chance), I said, ‘I'm coming back.’ He said, ‘Okay’. So I sold my home on the East Coast, and I moved out here.
For the first three years I was gone a lot, deploying all over the world as a contractor. Then I just got tired of doing it. So now I help out with Operation Second Chance as much as I possibly can. It's my way of giving back to the troops and their families, whether it's a summer retreat, the winter ski retreat, our hunting program, or our long range shooting program. Giving back the way I was given to is what brings me joy. You know, seeing those faces, watching people come out of their shell, watching a husband and wife start communicating again. And also helping those in the community. I've been the commander for the VFW here in Red Lodge for over two years. So, for me, it's not just the troops that we bring in, it's also important to reach out to the veterans in our community. I think a lot of them are untouched, and some of them want it that way, but others just don't know there are kindred spirits and others who care about them and are ready to provide as much (or as little) community as they desire. Whether it’s a meal, an activity, someone to talk with or someone to help locate the right services, I’m looking forward to joining forces with veterans groups around the county to meet the needs of our veterans.”
Being an Elk is just one way Burr chooses to give back to his Montana and veteran communities. In addition to being active in Operation Second Chance and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burr is very active with Red Lodge Fire Rescue. He and his dog work in Search and Rescue and are currently working to be certified in locating human remains. In addition, he volunteers as an EMT and firefighter. Fighting wildland fires has become a new calling for him, a calling that took him to California with Red Lodge Fire Engine 75 and its crew in January 2025.
Now that he’s safely back from California, Burr is back to being one of the hardest working and dedicated “retired” soldiers around. Sirrine and Burr look forward to rolling out new opportunities for veterans in the coming months.
Disclosure: The author is a member of the Beartooth Elks Lodge in Red Lodge.