Heroes on the Water Dallas-Fort Worth checks out the Cheetos-eating fish at Frito-Lay

HOW Dallas-Fort Worth had the great fortune of being invited to use the lake at the Frito-Lay Pepsico compound and, boy, the fish in that lake were biting! Surprisingly enough, as those fish are fed Frito-Lay chips every day for lunch (apparently, they prefer Cheetos)! The company cafeteria is right on top of the lake, so the employees enjoy sharing their lunch with their underwater friends.

The day was amazing! There were 30-40 people at the outing comprising of veterans, their families and volunteers. AND, most people caught 5-15 bass and catfish in just a few hours!

Check out this picture-story of the day:

It is 7 am and the first kayak is in the water:

The first fish of the day was caught by a lucky volunteer. In the hours to come both veterans and volunteers caught many more:

A fish-eye view of vet Patrick, who just caught a catfish:

Chris has had the bad luck of never catching a fish in his life, but this all changed at Frito-Lay, where he caught 3 fish in just a couple of hours, starting with this big boy bass:

  

Warriors strategically located in the "catfish hole" right underneath the cafeteria:

Sam caught one of the cheetos-happy catfish:

 Ray caught well over a dozen bass and catfish using his special lures:

It was a Frito-Lay employee who took home the title of catching the biggest catfish of the day:

The Frito-Lay Men of Marketing group had a big surprise for HOW. They had organized an internal mustache-growing competition to raise money for HOW where every dollar was matched by Frito-Lay! The total amount came to $5,400!! The money will be spent on buying a kayak trailer for the chapter.

The whole team of veterans, family, volunteers and Frito-Lay employees:

What a great and fish-full day!

2-June, Fort Desoto, St Petersburg Florida

“I can do that!” 

Since our last HOW event held on May 19^th at the South Skyway rest area that phrase has been running through my head. “I can do that” is what one of our heroes said when he saw a Hobie kayak.  Since suffering a stroke during his rehabilitation, Brian has very limited strength in his arms and was only able to paddle a very short distance before having to turn back. A chance conversation about a three wheeled trike that the VA had purchased for him led Rik Llewyellan to show him a Hobie Outback.  Once Brian saw that kayak, a huge smile appeared on his face, “I can do that”.  And do it he did. I heard they had a hard time keeping up with him.

Brian joined seven other heroes and their families for a day of paddling and fishing at Fort Desoto Park, located on the tip of Tampa Bay. A slight brisk wind greeted all the volunteers as they arrived to set up the kayaks.

As our anglers arrived, they were paired up with a “guide” who would instruct them on everything from the basics on how to hold the paddle, to where the fish were biting.

After receiving their instructions, it was time to launch.

I had the very distinct honor to act as guide for Bill, who had been injured in a helicopter crash during Vietnam. A little bit worried about leaving his support dog “Montana” behind on shore (we did try to put Montana in the New Ranger 15, but he was so excited he almost tipped it) I can feel his anticipation slip away as we paddled further and further away. Telling him I was sorry for not finding the fish, he told me not to worry. “Every day is a good day, fish or no fish”. Well we hung in there and the fish gods smiled down on us, as we found some nice little trout.

The bite died down, so we decided to head back to shore, where we had a great shore lunch prepared for our guests.  Seems everyone else had the same idea and we all came back around the same time.

Walt Ruda, one of volunteers was the lucky winner of a beautiful tailing redfish print that was donated and raffled off to raise funds for HOW. Walt was gracious enough to pass it along to one of our heroes, Patrick.

All too soon the day came to end. Everyone packing up and heading home. I was left with another phrase to keep me motivated until our next event.

“Every day is a good day”.  Man, aint that the truth.

 Last names for our heroes have been omitted to protect their privacy.

Bill Howard
Tampa Bay HOW chapter

Wounded veterans find a peaceful place to play

Erin Booke of the Dallas Morning News published this heartwarming article on 23 May 2012.

The young men in kayaks arrive at the muddy shore of Moss Lake near Gainesville, smiling and mocking each other’s fishing skills. They seem relaxed, miles away in body, mind and spirit from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan and the injuries they suffered there.
Many of the veterans don’t look injured. They don’t have missing limbs or visible scars. Most have traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and soft-tissue injuries. They are suffering on the inside, and every day is a battle since they returned from war. But today, out on the water, they are happy.

These wounded warriors are taking steps toward recovery thanks to Heroes on the Water, an Allen-based nonprofit created by fellow veteran Jim Dolan. He and his team of volunteers organize kayak fishing outings for veterans who are suffering from war disabilities.

“It’s the best therapy I’ve ever had,” says Ray Queen of Weatherford. Queen served one 15-month tour in Iraq from 2006 to 2008 where he suffered two traumatic brain injuries. He’s also been diagnosed with PTSD and fibromyalgia and takes 22 pills a day, including mood stabilizers, dream suppressors and muscle relaxers. He’s in constant pain and can’t have children, and he’s had multiple cavities because of the pills. He’s 25.

“I still have two head doctors. But there’s nothing like [kayaking]. I get lost. I forget to smoke, eat, drink. It’s all about fishing,” he says.

‘Whoa, what just happened?’         Click to READ MORE...

Bragg N' Barn Makes it Happen for Heroes

The Bragg N' Barn, a local thrift shop on the Fort Bragg post, awarded a $325 donation to the Fort Bragg/Cape Fear chapter of Heroes on the Water.Michelle Little, Chapter Coordinator, said that the contribution will directly support our primary mission of getting folks on the water to experience the benefits of kayak fishing and the outdoors, and we are incredibly grateful."

On Thursday, May 17th, Manager, Christiane Leake, and Assistant Manager,Gwen Hudson, with a Certificate of Appreciation for their support.

Details about the Bragg N' Barn can be found on their website http://www.fbthriftshop.com/home.shtml. More information about Heroes on the Water can be found at http://www.heroesonthewater.org.



Freedom Captured.

Erie veteran heads up Texas-based Heroes on the Water program

For many veterans, coping with the horrors of combat is a lifelong battle in itself. Many return home only
to face a long and emotional war against the memories of fighting overseas.

Kody Wilson has taken his post-war life  down a productive avenue to help other combat veterans in the healing process. Wilson, a 2004 graduate of Erie High School, is the coordinator of the Brooke Army 

Medical Center chapter of Heroes on the Water (HOW), which is an extension of the Wounded Warriors program.

Wilson lost his left leg following a tour-ofduty in Iraq in an improvised explosive device  (IED) attack. He also sustained a fractured femur and heel in his right leg, a shattered left elbow and three fractures in his spine, along with a mild traumatic brain injury. He underwent rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Read more at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72650552/March_24_25__2012%20article%20on%20Kody.pdf

Freedom Captured.

This is HOW I say thanks.......

 In the past, I have been blessed with many new opportunities both in business and in my personal life.  I cherish the work that I have done and currently do on a daily basis, but I often find myself getting anxious to get home and spend time with my son.  You see, he is growing up before my eyes, albeit too quickly for my tastes, but nonetheless, it is happening.  I wasn't blessed with a spoiled childhood, but I wasn't deprived either.  My parents took did what they could to provide for my sister and I and I am thankful for it.  I pride myself on trying to teach my son what it means to give thanks and show appreciation towards others.



I truly wish there were more hours in the day, because I constantly find myself wanting to do more......more for my family, more for my friends and most recently more for HOW.  That's Heroes On the Water for those of you that have never heard of it.  HOW is an non-profit organization founded by Jim Dolan in Texas and goes to great lengths to show appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifices and loyal service our military service members have made.  As a former service member myself, I know of the pains and struggles of being separated from your family and friends unexpectedly due to a deployment.  I know of the challenges faced abroad when you are sent into a foreign country in the spirit of protecting the premise of human rights.  I too know what its like to fear for one's safety during a time of conflict.

We were blessed with a mild day albeit with windy conditions, but the day was a success on many levels.  We were able to have a safe and fun outing on the water.  We were able to lead the service members to the right areas and they caught several fish.  We also succeeded in having family members of the service members on the water at the same time and getting them involved in the catching of fish as well.

Read more at http://froggin4bass.blogspot.com/2012/04/this-is-how-i-say-thanks.html

Freedom Captured.

Ft. Hood Heroes on The Water - First Report!

On Saturday, 14 April 2012, our first outing was held by the Ft. Hood HOW
Chapter. Although small in execution, it was huge in starting the great
things to come. We braved tremendous winds with one great American by the
name of SPC Shann Saunders.

This was not Shann's first time fishing from a kayak. Shann managed a small
bass and a big smile. We have scheduled two more outings in April and hope
to fill the four kayaks we have with participants as we are on our way to
establishing ourselves in the central Texas region.
We welcome other wounded warriors in the Ft. Hood area to  contact us if interested in participating in a future outing.  

Freedom Captured. 

HOW salutes ‘Welcome Home a Hero’

The Welcome Home a Hero program at DFW Airport ended after 7 years 9 months of service on March 14, 2012. Since the program’s inception in June 2004, North Texans welcomed home more than 920,000 troops over 2,900 days at the DFW Airport location alone. More than 10,000 individual volunteers and groups greeted troops as they returned for two weeks of rest and recuperation – from school children and business professionals to community leaders and veterans – each one to show support and make a difference in the lives in our returning soldiers.

A special “thank you” to all who participated.  There are still many ways to support the troops and show our gratitude to the men and women in uniform. Heroes on the Water is listed in the brochure as one of the non-profits making a difference. Visit http://www.heroesonthewater.org/ and find ways to get involved.

Volunteer champion, Donna Cranston, with the Defenders of Freedom, was at the airport every day during this period with the exception of a few vacations that she took with her family. She was recognized by Lt. General Campbell and other dignitaries for her service. The U.S. Army closed Personnel Assistance Point operations at DFW Airport in response to a decrease of deployed service members in the Middle East.

Freedom Captured.

"Welcome Home a Hero"

Its Brain Health Awareness Week ....

In time for Brain Awareness Week, March 12-18, an article by the Center for Brain Health in a recent newsletter focuses on Traumatic Brain Injury and its effects.

                                   

Heroes on the Water has served thousands of injured active duty military and veterans, and over the past four years has helped many of them realize  breakthroughs while dealing with the challenges of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder through kayak fishing and the outdoors.

This article helps us to better understand the challenges many of our veterans face upon returning home and in reintegrating with society.

                                    Traumatic Brain Injury

    

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and  violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. With military members, this is often the result of a concussive blast or  explosion. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain.

Read more about TBI here

http://veterans.vermont.gov/healthcare/tbi

http://www.oasas.ny.gov/tbi/severity.cfm

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm 

Heroes on the Water Impact: 

“I will never forget one of the kids we took fishing on the coast,” said Jim Dolan, HOW’s national coordinator.  “He was totally lost in whatever had happened to him in the Middle East and, when he responded to our questions, his responses usually consisted of one word. “The first fish that he caught resulted in a big grin.  Forty eight hours and several fish later, he was looking us in the eye and speaking in three or four word sentences.  We didn’t cure that kid but we put a crack in the shell where he was able to see something other than his own problems.”

Freedom Captured.

25 Wounded Warriors Kayak Fishing at San Pablo Reservoir

What a fantastic day for 25 wounded warriors from 5 different Veterans Administration in-patient clinics who  went kayak fishing with the Northern California Chapter of Heroes on the Water... We had perfect weather as the day before was hard core rain. Volunteers numbered close to 30 and vets were greeted with homemade breakfast burritos…  This could have easily been the highlight of the day as they were so good!!! Lunch followed with HUGE hamburgers, chili dogs, fruit, potato salad, Tabouli, soda, chips..etc… etc...

Vets started deploying on the water, some with one on one guides and others in groups. Another group just wanted to shore fish and immediately we had a hook up which got everyone excited. About 6 of the vets we never saw again till we had our bass boat go out and call them back in.. easily 3 to 4 hours out on the water…

Many stories of the big ones that got away and some that did not. Many other first time experiences of vets who have never caught a fish, and especially from a kayak.

Everyone including the therapist had an excellent time and could not say enough about HOW and what we were doing.

Special Thanks to East Bay Municipal Utilities District for making this so easy to put on, helping us with fees, quagga muscle inspection and just being a fantastic host.

Here is a link to ncka.org with our local report…
 http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,36333.0.html

Norcal HOW…
All is well….
Don Anglin, Chapter Coordinator

**********

When you help a Veteran..........

Have a look at what "San Marcos Daily Record" has to say about us.

" Over a million military veterans, from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, have returned to the U S badly wounded and hurting. They must deal with injuries both visible and invisible. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are very prevalent and cause long term problems. All theses wounded warriors need help.

When you help Heroes on the Water, you help a veteran. When you help a veteran, you help their family. When you help a veteran and their family, everybody wins."

See more at:   http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/sports/x1704535160/Heroes-on-Water-easing-trauma-for-wounded-soldiers 

Experience - A Post from HOW Tidewater's Chapter

Mr. William Ragulsky talks about his involvement in HOW .William is the 2012 president of Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association, on the Pro Staff of Hurricane Kayaks, and a volunteer with the Tidewater Chapter of Heroes on the Water.


"I have been in the outdoors since before I could remember.  Many of the values I have today came from fishing and hunting with my family.  My passion for the water came when my dad brought home our first canoe. " 
See more at http://how-tidewaterchapter.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-experience.html#comment-form

The Wonders water can do!!

Recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury can be a lengthy process.  It involves two essential processes: restoration of functions that can be restored and learning how to do things differently when functions cannot be restored to pre-injury level. Chances are high that the person may not even remember their basic habits.  Individuals with traumatic brain injuries are often unaware of their errors and can become frustrated or angry and place the blame for communication difficulties on the person to whom they are speaking. Reading and writing abilities are often worse than those for speaking and understanding spoken words. Simple and complex mathematical abilities are often affected. 

The Rehabilitation process can be done in two phases. The basic skills should be strengthened before other complex skills could be restored. Simple tasks like solving math puzzles and reading could help in restoring the basic skills. The next step, involving them in group outdoor activities like kayak fishing, restores their ability to be independent and reintegrate back into the normal world. We at Heroes on the Water take pride in bringing a change in their lives.

Being out in the water on their own helps they overcome their mental challenges. Everybody is equal in a kayak. Anybody can do it. We have kayaks you can pedal with your legs or paddle with your arms. The connection they experience with Mother Nature when they kayak, rejuvenates and changes their brain activity. 

This change can be seen in the story of one of our participants. She was in a coma for three long years. Today, she is living in Livermore VA Hospital, California as a functioning adult, but has virtually no short or long term memory. In other words, she could not tell you what happened last year, or earlier today. Until now.

Heroes on the Water (HOW), arranged for our wounded veteran to spend a day on the water kayak fishing. Her recreational therapist called us three days later extremely excited.  The veteran remembered going kayak fishing!  Her day on the water made such a positive impact in her life that her brain decided to treasure the memory. Her kayak fishing trip "cracked the shell" and allowed her to take the first, important steps forward in regaining her memory.  

Dr. John Hart is a brain specialist at the Center for Brain Health in Dallas. He has conducted extensive research with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We asked him to explain the effectiveness of Heroes on the Water. Why does being on the water and kayak fishing, have such a profound positive impact on our veterans? This is what he said.

"When they first arrive, they see a group of people having fun. Puts them at ease. Very similar to the military band of brothers. A group they want to be part of. Fishing and joking around with their buddies relaxes them.

The main change comes from water. Water impacts all five senses at the same time with a very positive, powerful image and memory. The good memories from their day on the water helps override the bad memories and images that haunt them. And possibly crack the shell letting them rejoin the world. Like our lady in California."

Freedom Captured.

Reference: 

The Brain Injury Resource center

http://www.headinjury.com

US National Library of Medicine
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/

The War Inside.....

Like a Sun, in his last deep hour;
Watched the magnificent recession of farewell
Clouding, half gleam, half glower,
And a last splendor  burn the heavens of his cheek.
And in his eyes
The cold stars lighting, very old and bleak,
In different skies. 
-Wilfred Owen

He was a warrior. He is not in the war front anymore. But he is struggling inside. He is fighting a war within himself. 

For a warrior, to see his fellow men bleed , experience excruciating pain and die in front of his eyes is a dreadful experience. This sight can pass in a few minutes but it remains in their inner mind for long. This may show up later and affect their routine . This condition is commonly called PTSD ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). 

Common symptoms of  PTSD include

• Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
• Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
• Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
• Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
• Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)

Army  Spc Brandon Garrison is a a veteran who was in the Afghanistan war front. He could not come out of the mental picture of the gory situation he was in. 

"Inside, Garrison fights a rage that consumes most of his days since returning from 17 months of combat in Afghanistan. It's a demon that shows no mercy and interrupts even simple routines like eating and sleeping. At any moment, halfway through a football game or in the middle of the night, he can lose himself to this evil."

Reintegrating back into their family and leading a normal life in the society is not an easy task for them. We at Heroes on the Water are helping them forget the traumatic experiences by taking them out for Kayak fishing. 

At a recent outing in Mansfield, TX, we heard from the wife of a wounded soldier..."

"Hear that laugh? That's his real laugh. I don't get to hear that at home". Heroes on the Water took Ray and his wife, Becky, fishing on a small lake. A group of us were onshore talking and Ray was with a Marine vet on the small pond catching fish. Becky had been talking about how fishing keeps him going. Then we heard a good belly laugh.


Being in a Kayak does not need any supervision. It is something they can do independently. Kayaking out in the water for long hours, relaxes their mind  and helps them great deal in dealing with PTSD's eccentric conditions. 


References:
US National Library of Medicine
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/


Military Resources:
http://www.military.com/

Stanford School of Medicine:
http://ruralhealth.stanford.edu/videos/patient-stories/heroes-on-water/