June - 2019

scuba diving wounded warriors

Unlocking the underwater world for those who defended our freedom.

We Can All Do More

We Can All Do More

I began my career in 1984 fresh out of college and wanting to make a difference by supporting the Department of Defense, specifically as part of the space programs. I didn’t come from a military family but many of my friends at the time were young 2nd Lieutenants at Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles. I figured there are those who choose to serve 24/7 but my path was to support them by using my technical background and ability to leverage current technologies and

Boy, was I wrong!

Boy, was I wrong!

I’ve been part of Diving with Heroes since their first excursion in August 2014. I went on that first trip as a volunteer, thinking I was going to be helping wounded or injured veterans to scuba dive as a means of rehabilitation or recuperation. Boy, was I wrong! I found by volunteering to help other veterans, I discovered a safe place for myself. Many of our hero divers not only are coping with physical injuries and chronic pain but PTSD or TBI. Nearly to a person, they (and

Engage the Ocean

Engage the Ocean

Diving with Heroes is a truly amazing program that changes the lives of all veterans that have participated, including myself. Jill and her team are all incredible people that have the best intentions at heart of giving back to the program. Not only did I get to do my favorite passion, which is scuba diving, I got to engage in something I have always wanted to get into but never had the chance – ocean conservation work. I would recommend Diving with Heroes to any veteran that

Diving Changes Lives

Diving Changes Lives

Diving with Heroes is one of those organizations that you never knew we all needed. Jill and her team are amazing people on top of everything they already do. The trip I went on (Little Cayman 2018) was an instant de-stress from my day-to-day life. From the moment I got on the plane until when I got on the plane to leave, I forgot the rest of the world for a while. Diving, and the quality of the people you dive with, changes lives. These people and this group help change live

Scuba Eases My Demons

Scuba Eases My Demons

As a combat veteran, you always look for that something that takes the edge off. I love the adrenaline rush of downhill mountain biking but when it comes down to easing the demons, there’s nothing better than scuba diving. Scuba diving gives me the peace of mind, even for the short amount of time I’m able to be under water, to collect myself and just breathe. I was introduced to Diving with Heroes by a fellow participant who had nothing but good things to say about the progra

The Climb Up, to Finally Go Down

The Climb Up, to Finally Go Down

In a search for self-discovery, I set out November 10, 2018, to link up with eight fellow injured veterans and veteran advocate Jill Hottel, of Diving with Heroes (DWH), on a trip to the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) on Little Cayman. Nervously I sat at Dulles International Airport chatting with fellow veteran Ryan Rivera when Jill and Scott Vadnais, DWH’s director of communication, approached us. Jill’s demeanor immediately put Ryan and I at ease, and we set off

My Story

My Story

I’ve had the opportunity to participate in two events with Diving with Heroes (DWH). My initial experience diving was at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) in the Cayman Islands in 2017. This was a fantastic experience where I was able to meet and dive with fellow veterans who I am still friends with today. Many of the participants are, or have been dealing with, similar struggles I’ve been dealing with for years. This made the small group dynamics a comfortable ex

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