By Michelle Armstrong
The first time I spoke with him he told me he was online, shopping for topwater lures to use in an upcoming tournament…
James McDougal’s father was a Korean and Vietnam war veteran for the United States Army. At the age of 20 James followed in those footsteps.
With boot camp and training complete, he quickly found himself in the infantry division at Fort Stewart, GA. For the next three years James would serve with the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF). This group was trained in survival and to “watch their back” as well as your fellow soldiers back. Because of the unrest under the reign of Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi the men with RDF were always at the ready for deployment. Often times they would find themselves in full gear for endless hours on a tarmac waiting for orders to go to war only to never leave the ground. Moments earlier they may have been with families, on a boat, in traffic, at the grocery store, etc, only to get geared up and braced for the worst in a matter of seconds. They were not able to explain to their families where they were going or for how long because often they did not know for themselves. One could not be “trained” for the mental toll this would take. The emotional stress was sometimes equal to if not worse than the physical stress that was inflicted upon the soldiers in this unit. Like a lot of young soldiers, James incurred many injuries during the strenuous survival training. And like most young soldiers, he ignored the pain. He was once actually considered AWOL only to be found later in his car unable to report to formation because he couldn’t move his legs or lift his arms.
In 1983 James became a Sergeant. He and his wife whom was also military, left for Germany. There, he was in the Headquarter 7 Corp Unit where he was a logistics small arms weapons instructor. His expertise in weaponry allowed him to travel all over Europe training others.
He returned to the States when his wife, was sent home. In 1995, his wife, still in the military, returned to Germany. He re-acquired the same job but this time as a civilian. He quips that the only difference was that his desk name plate read “Mr” instead of “Sgt”.
Once again, she received papers to return stateside and he returned with her. He become a correctional officer in Tennessee and later moved on to be an immigrations officer.
In the days ahead, James’s mental and physical health started to suffer though he did not recognize what was happening. His marriage ended, he had a hard time with work due to the time off he required from back and knee surgeries, (that only gave him back 50% mobility) and eventually he found himself homeless in Pennsylvania. An outreach group found him and helped him get to a VA hospital. During an exam, a Dr touched James on the back and from there James can’t explain past a blackout. Although according to the staff, James “exploded” and that was the defining moment that alerted everyone to his mental instability. The next day, James found a note that the Dr had slid under his door stating that he needed psychiatric help immediately. Up until this point, James explains he was never aware of what he was feeling. “I simply just “dealt” with life the best I could and didn’t understand I had problems”. For the next few months he would undergo extensive psychotherapy and psychiatric care. He was placed on 10 different medications.
When his dad fell ill James traveled by train each week to Fort Bragg NC to visit. After his father died it was apparent that his step mother needed his help. Against the advice of the hospital, he went home. When he wasn’t helping his stepmother, he found refuge in the darkness of his home, alone. “You could always find me, because I rarely left my house”.
James explains the day he heard about Operation North State with an audible smile. “The sun shined upon me,” he shares. He agreed to take a fishing trip to Virginia with a friend who had heard about Operation North State. He was apprehensive and quite frankly, scared. He liked the solace of his home and felt uncomfortable around people in general. Upon arrival they met Terry Snyder, the man who put it all together. They were housed for the night in motor homes. The next day, he was in awe at what he experienced. He was amazed at all the beautiful boats lined up to take them fishing. From the day on the water with his host boater, to the camaraderie with other Veterans afterward. “It was overwhelmingyet comforting to be around people who think and feel like you do.” “for the first time, I felt…safe”
He has tried to participate in every Operation North State event since. If he can’t travel with buddies he goes alone. Something that was unheard of a few months prior. James went on to fish the Lake Norman tournament where he landed the trophy for the biggest fish overall!
Though he did not catch one fish during his maiden tournament, it was all life changing for James. For the first time in so many years, he did not want the day to end. James set out on an adventure to make sure it didn’t end.
Having three seasons under his belt with Operation North State, he has gained much confidence and knowledge. So much so, that he now owns his own bass boat, has joined a fishing club, and participates in tournaments in addition to Operation North State. Though he is only in his second season with Bragg Bass Buster’s club, from Fayetteville, NC, he has cashed a few checks, and he is in 5th place overall this season! Outside of tournaments, James finds a since of peace “fun fishing” with his canine pal Ziggy.
Most importantly since this new found passion, James only has to “touch base” with his psychiatrist and is now taking zero medication. He has one more spinal surgery ahead that he hopes will not keep him off the water very long.
James encourages other Veterans to participate with Operation North State. He now lives by the mantra, Don’t shut yourself out; go out in nature and love. He credits 100% of his progress to this organization.
He admits that once he approached Terry Snyder at the end of an event to express his appreciation and tell his story. Behind nerves and tears he choked up and was only able to pat Terry on the back and say, “ Thanks, good job man”. What he couldn’t convey that day, he managed during this story…
Through Operation North State, “I lit the flame that once was only a flicker”.
Thank you James McDougal for you sacrifice(s) and service.