Giving back takes many forms, especially when it involves our soldiers and returning warriors. In so many ways these guys and gals paid it forward for us to have the freedoms we now have. Founded in 2007, Heroes on the Water gives back to those who paid it forward by engaging our returning warriors in kayak fishing across the nation in both fresh and saltwater.
âWe really help our warriors come unwound,â said Jim Dolan, of the Dallas-based organization. We forget that when we ask our soldiers to go to bat for us, they become warriors for us; and in that they fight, serve and protect in very hostile environments and are subjected to stresses on the emotional and physical level that we canât even begin to comprehend. Jim also filled me in on the fact that there are nearly 22 post-service deaths per day of returning warriors that donât come unwound and take their own lives. Itâs time for a call to action here on the home-front.
Heroes on the Water, or HOW, allows our warriors to take their minds, bodies and spirits out of the hostile realm from where they were and helps them transform back to being able to be with their families, friends and coworkers. Many of the warriors who go fishing with HOW call it âtriple therapyâ since they get physical therapy from paddling, occupational therapy from learning a lifetime outdoor recreational sport and mental therapy from relaxing while being on the water.
Hereâs how it works. Heroes on the water treats warriors just like you and me. They create fishing trips and events to go fishing. Thatâs it. If a returning warrior calls up and wants to go fishing, they make it happen and get them the gear and someone to go with them. Then they get on the water and have fun and fish. HOW recently purchased 700 kayaks to better contribute back to our nationâs soldiers and returning warriors.
Seeing the need that HOW and other similar organizations had, Lewâs developed their Hero Program, which helps organizations that use fishing as part of the transformational process. They created a rod any warrior would be proud to wield. It has split EVA grips, and an exposed blank through the seat for instant sensitivity. Itâs topped off with rugged gunsmoke stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts. A portion of profits from the rod line will be contributed back to organizations like HOW to get returning warriors started on the water. You can help by just spreading the word about great organization that are helping give back to our retuning warriors like HOW and Lews. You can also get involved by contacting HOW through their website HeroesOnTheWater.org. Take the time and get a returning warrior out on the water this fall.
[easy-social-share]