Our nation's warriors face a new battle as they return home. As a consequence of war, military families in our local communities will face a lifetime of physical and psychological challenges. The average combat time served in the Global War on Terror is 45 months, 3-6 times longer than any previous war. The injuries - visible/physical and invisible/Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury - are profound.*
The Heroes on the Water (HOW) program offers military personnel suffering from visible and invisible wounds an outdoor therapeutic experience that yields independence, hope, and recovery through mastery of a new sustainable life skill.
The program is unique in that it is a long-term activity (not a one-time event) that will be there for them when they need to escape and restore their self-confidence. They also learn a new sport that provides a lifetime of family enjoyment, helping them to restore their relationships and hope for a better life.
The need is great and HOW is expanding the kayak fishing program across the country to serve thousands more warriors and families in 2014.
Help a Hero by donating today. It's easy - just click DONATE to give online or by mailing a check. Every donation gives
warriors hope for a brighter future.
If you have given already, we thank you! You are helping warriors like Chris in their recovery..."Life's not over after an IED. You know, if you can fish, what else can you do? It's rough healing 5-7 days a week. You push yourself physically, and emotionally you're tested day in and day out. These outings really help you unplug and uncork. You can come out here and completely unwind."
Together, we can help them win the battle. FREEDOM CAPTURED.
*The Pew Research Center released "War and Sacrifice in the Post-9/11 Era" findings on October 5, 2011, of which post-9/11 combat veterans report:
* Half (51%) say they had difficulty readjusting to civilian life. (by contrast, just 25% of veterans who served in earlier eras said the same).
* About half (48%) say they have experienced strains in family relations since leaving the military.
* One-half (49%) of those who served in combat say they have suffered from post-traumatic stress.
