Today’s Warriors are exposed to hostile fire and sustained combat stress 3-6x longer than their fathers and grandfathers endured. During World War II, the average time spent in the combat zone was 7 months. During the Vietnam War the average was 15 months, whereas during the Global War on Terror, the average time a warrior spends in combat is 45 months.
The good news is that modern technology helps our troops survive wounds that were fatal in prior wars. However, many of the wounds are invisible: 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan Vets show signs of Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or depression.
From 2003 to the present time (2010), there have been 5,773 U.S armed forces deaths and 31,902 ‘visible’ wounded from hostile fire, IED amputations, burns and other injuries.* In addition, it is estimated that there are 300,000 suffering with PTSD and 320,000 with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Reports indicate that the numbers of injured military personnel is increasing by 50 per month since mid-2008.**
Alarmingly, there are 950 suicide attempts each month by veterans who are receiving some type of treatment from the Veterans Affairs Department with an average of 18 veterans committing suicide each day. ***
Heroes on the Water’s mission is to help wounded warriors relax, rehabilitate and reintegrate into society through kayak fishing and the outdoors. Over the past three years of taking a few thousand men and women of all branches of the armed services out kayak fishing, we have learned first hand the ‘triple therapy’ of kayak fishing – physical with paddling and fishing, occupational in learning new skills and a sport they can do for life, and mental in the relaxation and freedom out on the water. Their words say it best…
“You have given us a new sport that we can do with our injuries. Best of all, I really yearn for a morning in the woods with my bike or a long run down our country road... those thoughts have been replaced by talk of new fishing tackle, rods, water craft, and terrain. You have no idea how mentally and physically healing your program is. Thank you!! Thank you for your time, your expertise, your passion, and your dedication to the military in which you served. We feel blessed!! From a wounded Army Captain and participant in HOW
Heroes on the Water is committed to driving this tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these well deserving veterans who have given so much for us and our freedom. We strongly encourage you to consider how you can support renewing the spirits and restoring the hearts of our wounded warriors so they can realize their best future!
