SCDVA’s Upstate Pathfinder Manager, Tito Vazquez, had the privilege of staying at Tranquility Point, a respite facility aimed at helping those facing mental health challenges find peace and stability.

Tranquility Point is a member of SCDVA’s Veteran Coalition, a platform that connects Veterans to verified services including everything from housing to education and mental health resources.

Tranquility Point, located in Cross Hill, South Carolina, has served more than 800 guests since their conception in 2021. The organization’s priority is to reduce suicide among Veterans, first-responders, and foster children who have aged out of the system.

The following is Tito’s account of his weekend at the retreat.

When you first turn off the road toward Tranquility Point in Cross Hill, South Carolina, it doesn’t feel like you’re just arriving at a retreat—it feels like you’re being quietly welcomed home. Tucked among the trees and the stillness of the lake, this nonprofit wellness retreat was created with one mission in mind: to give Veterans a safe place to breathe again, heal, and remember that their lives still matter.

The cabin you see is where that healing often begins. Simple, warm, and inviting, it’s designed for real rest—whether you come with your spouse, bring your pet, or arrive alone just needing to reset. Inside, the pace of life slows down. Outside, you’re surrounded by tall pines, open sky, and the kind of quiet you can actually feel.

As you walk the property, you pass a battlefield cross memorial etched in stone. It stands watch over the shoreline, a powerful reminder of the brothers and sisters who didn’t make it home—and of why places like Tranquility Point are so important. Here, their sacrifice is honored not with big speeches but with space for reflection, grief, gratitude, and life.

A few more steps take you down to the dock. Hammocks sway gently over the water, chairs face the lake, and the world feels a little lighter. This is where conversations happen, where worry starts to loosen its grip, and where you can finally hear yourself think again. For many guests, this dock becomes a sacred spot—sunrises, sunsets, and long, quiet moments that do more than words ever could.

When the sun goes down, the magic doesn’t stop. Path lights and blue accent lights trace the walkway, cabins glow softly through the trees, and the reflection of the night sky shimmers on the water. It’s peaceful, safe, and calm—the kind of calm that lets your nervous system unwind after years of carrying things you rarely talk about.

Tranquility Point invites Veterans into this environment for multi-day stays at no cost to them. During their time here, guests are supported with a mix of recreation, rest, and simple routines—good meals, time outdoors, hands-on activities, and unhurried conversations. There’s no pressure to “perform” or “be okay.” You’re met exactly where you are, whether you’re dealing with PTSD, moral injury, grief, or just burnout from the battles you’ve fought long after taking off the uniform.

At the heart of all this are Barry and Kim Gambrell, along with their staff, community partners, and volunteers. They’ve poured their energy, their resources, and their hearts into building Tranquility Point one deck board, one trail, and one cabin at a time. Local supporters, churches, Veteran organizations, and neighbors all pitch in—repairing, sponsoring, cooking, listening—so that Veterans and their families can experience this place free of financial stress.

Even the small details tell the story: the porch where you drink your first hot coffee in real peace, the memorial by the water, the dock swings, the lights guiding you safely back to your cabin at night. Every corner of Tranquility Point quietly says the same thing:
You’re not alone.
You are remembered.
Your life is worth resting for, fighting for, and rebuilding.

That’s what Tranquility Point in South Carolina does for Veterans—and for their spouses, their families, and even their pets. It’s more than a beautiful place by the water. It’s an environment of relaxation, meditation, and deep comfort, built by Barry, Kim, their team, and their community—one stay, one story, and one life at a time. ~ Tito Vazquez, Upstate Palmetto Pathfinder Manager

For more information on Tranquility Point CLICK HERE.

To learn more about the Palmetto Pathfinder Program, click the photo below to email your inquiry.