How it all began:
Retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lieutenant Dwight L. Durant and retired Registered Nurse Shelley L. Durant have always had a passion for the water. Shelley practically grew up at and on Grand Lake camping, fishing, and boating around. Prior to his service with the Patrol, Dwight spent many years working on a tug boat on the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System. They married in 2006 blending into a family of six. Dwight and Shelley raised their four children, Connor, Shae, Bailee, and Caroline with frequent weekend and summer trips to Grand Lake. They later moved their boat to Skiatook Lake and named it TEN-SEVEN, the police code meaning “Off-Duty.”
After their kids grew up and moved out, the empty-nesters moved their boat to Table Rock Lake in Missouri, but 67 mi² of water wouldn’t be enough for Dwight and Shelley. Thirsty for a new adventure, the Durant’s retired and decided to move their boat to Kentucky Lake to prepare for, and set course on, America’s Great Loop. They traversed the 7,775 mile circumnavigation route around the central, south, and east coasts of the United States, crossed the Great Lakes, the upper Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and stayed in the Bahamas for several months.
A few mechanical issues were nothing the Durant’s couldn’t handle, and Dwight and Shelley, along with their two Redbone Coonhounds Molly and JoJo, completed their journey through 15 U.S. states in thirteen months, and “crossed the wake.” They documented the adventure on their YouTube Channel TEN SEVEN FREEDOM and Facebook page TEN SEVEN FREEDOM. Lori Fulbright with Tulsa’s Channel 6 even did a segment on their accomplishment!
The Durant’s sold their boat after completing The Great Loop and quickly began contemplating their next endeavor. They ordered a 2023, 42 Leopard Sail Catamaran and although the new boat, named TEN SEVEN FREEDOM, wouldn’t be water-ready until the end of the 2022 season, the Durant’s did not stop thinking about how they can share the serenity and healing power of blue skies, clear water, sandy beaches, and stunning sunsets.
Police officers and nurses give to their communities throughout their careers, and as retirees the Durant’s wanted to find a unique way to give back while using their skills and passion for boating. Dwight and Shelley, now Boat Captains, along with their daughter Caroline Ratliff, combined ardors and abilities to establish Ten-Seven Retreat, a Non-Profit 501(c)3. Through donations, Ten-Seven Retreat aims to provide an all expenses paid, week long retreat for the spouses and children of Oklahoma Police Officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The retreat offers much needed reprieve, reflection, relaxation, and new adventures for the survivors to write a new chapter in their own book.
Becoming Boat Captains:
Together, Shelley and Dwight have accumulated more than 1,500 USCG documented sea service days. They cruised through shoreward and seaward waters of the U.S., Bahamas, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and the Gulf of Mexico. They traversed U.S. navigation channels, including inland rivers and the Great Lakes. Prior to his service on the Patrol, Dwight worked for many years on a tug boat on the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System. Shelley was given her first boat at the age of 13 and was let loose on Grand Lake. She has been an avid boater ever since. Both have dozens of years of boating experience on Oklahoma and Missouri Lakes.
In February of 2022, the Durant’s attended the True Course Captains school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The coursework and schooling focused on the rules of the road, maritime laws, weather and low visibilty navigation, mapping, safety, boat maintenance, and expert boat operations. Shelley and Dwight thrived as they completed this intensive school and passed all of the exams on first attempts. They both have acquired their USCG certified OUPV Captain License Credintials.
Shelley and Dwight both completed their ASA Sailing Certificates from the American Sailing Association in March of 2022, and the Durant’s achieved the status of American Sailing Certified Sailors. The school was conducted by Blue Water Sailing School in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The hands-on course aboard a Leopard 44 Sail Catamaran, a boat very similar to the Leopard 42 that will be used for the retreats, provided exemplary sailing experience.
Dwight achieved his upgrade to Master License with up to 100 Tons Credentials in April of 2022.
History of helping those who serve:
As a Trooper, Dwight served many years assigned to additional duties as a member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrols Officers Assistance Program (OAP). The OAP program provides emotional and physical assistance to Troopers who suffer traumatic events, physical injuries, and mental challenges that include difficult personal, and often times, private matters. The progam also provides extended assistance to the families of Troopers who suffer fatal tragedies, both occupational as well as off duty events. In this capacity, Trooper Durant received hundreds of hours of related training through the Patrol.
Trooper Durant spent many days, weeks, and even months assigned to Troopers and/or to their families, providing long term assistance in hospitals and at Troopers’ residences across the State of Oklahoma. One event included providing assistance for two weeks in a Dallas area hospital where an injured Trooper was flown due to life threatening injuries suffered after being hit by a passing motorist. In some instances he remained in regular contact with Troopers or their families for years while following up with and providing support for personal challenges. After two years of retirement, Dwight still corresponds with who he calls “his Troopers” by giving encouragement and guidance.
Trooper Durant created and directed a Tulsa-based substance abuse chapter (AA), “First Responders Group.” This program was specifically designed for First Responders, and met every Monday at New Spring Church in Jenks to help those in the Tulsa area who suffered from this disease. There are dozens of First Responders (Police, Fire, and Paramedics) who directly accredit their recovery and continued professional careers to Trooper Durant’s work with OAP and the First Responders Group. He regularly gets messages, such as a photo of a yearly sobriety coin accompanied by a big grin and a thumbs up, from First Responders who are excited to share their sobriety milestones.
Shelley was naturally an intricate partner in Dwight’s endeavor of service. With her support, Trooper Durant was able donate his time away from family. Shelley would often accompany him across the State for days and weeks. She offered her time and resourses to this cause without compensation, but simply for the love of being a servant to those who serve. She once accompanied Trooper Durant and a delegation to Police Week in Washington D.C., escorting the spouse and children of a Trooper who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Many times when Trooper Durant was assisting an injured member, Shelley would be with the family’s children, taking them to the cafeteria to get a snack, or helping the injured Trooper’s spouse with everyday needs. She would go on long walks with Troopers’ spouses and just talk. Shelley would provide incredible compassion and love and help any way possible to work through grief and just about anything else that needed to be expressed and worked through by the spouse. Trooper Durant often says she is more important to the cause than he could ever be.
Although both Shelley and Dwight are retired, their need to still be serving is undeniable. Once a servants heart, always a servants heart, and thus Ten-Seven Retreat is created. They both believe that after years of service to their communities and to those who serve, this may be their most challenging and rewarding service yet, as this will be the most meaningful to the families of fallen heroes.