Adopting a sport, like kayak fishing, as part of occupational, physical, and mental therapy is tied to the notion of teaching people to help themselves on the path to independence. Bringing injured and disabled Veterans out on the water to a place that offers solace, nutures the spirit and restores the heart. Showing genuine interest in a wounded warrior's well-being provides them with a renewed sense of hope and reintegration into the community.

This holiday season, Heroes on the Water chapters are actively reaching out to wounded veterans, engaging them in kayak fishing and making them feel at home with holiday festivities. During the Thanksgiving weekend, the Brooke Army Medical Center Chapter with Coordinator Bill Stroud and his family, hosted two wounded warriors at a Rio Raft cottage in Sattler, Texas.

Kayak fishing at Rio Raft, Sattler, TX

After first instructing in how to kayak, the guys paddled up-river about 40 yards before one Veteran broke out in a big smile and said "This is awesome!" One can only imagine the feeling of freedome and control, paddling the kayak across the water. Combined with many hours of kaya fishing, they enjoyed camaraderis with others around the table for Thanksgiving dinner with the VFW Post 8573.

Christmas weekend, the BAMC Chapter will do it again, bringing injured soldiers this time to the Guadalupe River to have fun, be with others, and to experience being captain of their own ship. The kayak is easily controlled, establishing a sense of self-reliance, which is tremendously empowering.

The 'gifts' that wounded warriors receive through the Heroes on the Water mission...to help them relax, rehabilitate and reintegrate through kayak fishing and the outdoors...are made possible by the support of a growing number of volunteers, members, partners, sponsors and donors.

With heartfelt thanks we wish all of you and your families a wonderful holiday filled with love, happiness and good health!