Heroes on the Water (HOW) is a therapeutic kayak fishing program dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation and reintegration of military personnel and veterans who have been wounded, injured or disabled. The program allows participants a chance to decompress from the stresses associated with combat and the physical rigors of rehabilitation while enjoying the natural benefits of the outdoors on guided fishing trips. Originally developed in 2007 for patients at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, the non-profit program quickly expanded and now has over 50 chapters across the United States.
One of the more talked about chapters at current is the Fort Bragg – Cape Fear team of North Carolina. Former HOW participant and Iraq veteran Michelle Little has taken the lead as the chapter coordinator with an all-veteran staff assisting her – a first for the national organization. The former chapter coordinator, Kaleb Dutil, passed over responsibility to Michelle in late May of this year. Since then, Michelle has assembled a team of assistants, guides, and volunteers to support an overflowing soldier interest for the chapter’s outings. From Fayetteville to Wilmington, Greensboro to Jordan Lake, and even Stuart, Florida, the FB-CF chapter is working hard to give back, fund raise, and rally support to ensure every HOW event is a great success.
The Fort Bragg – Cape Fear chapter will host the following events in the coming months: August 27– Fort Fisher, NC, September 10– Lake Reidsville, NC, and October 29– Jordan Lake, NC.
Any help that local organizations, businesses, or interested patrons are able to provide to support these events, the chapter, or the national organization will ultimately allow HOW to reach more soldiers and provide additional opportunities for soldiers to relax, rehabilitate, and reintegrate with their family, loved ones, and this great country.
Happy fishing!
Celia L. Nowicki
Heroes On the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Chapter
2805 Waters Edge Dr.
Sanford, NC 27330
Phone: 919-208-5276
celia.nowicki@gmail.com
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