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"