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

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