American Warrior Outdoors
Five guys who were friends and veterans of one of the military services, know what it’s like to come home from the military, either on leave, be it recreational or sick. They also know what it’s like to be deployed for long periods of time, leaving their families who share in their absence and change of life. American Warrior Outdoors
So these five men, scattered throughout a good part of New Jersey, decided they should do something to help others.
Since they’re outdoorsmen and know the value of eco-therapy, they started AmericanWarriorOutdoors.org, a nonprofit organization they put together and had certified as a 501. (c)(3) organization so they could raise funds to give veterans eco-therapy as diverse as fishing or hunting expeditions.
Kevin Nolan of Jackson is one of the five, which also includes Paul Hewitt, John Nolan, Bill Carle and Paul Novello. They served in various branches of the military themselves, Army, Navy and Air Force, and come from different parts of New Jersey.
The group has been instrumental in letting veterans know of the May 18 Fins for Freedom fishing day which leaves from Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor after a group breakfast and returns to a dinner at On The Deck Restaurant at the Harbor. The men and women who served the nation will be enjoying a full day of fishing aboard boats offered by their owners and captains at the marina. For some, it will be their first-time fishing on open waters, for others it will be an experience they are not always able to have.
For all, Nolan said, it’s “eco-therapy. We’re all outdoorsmen, and we know the value of being able to take advantage of nature and all outdoors recreation can do to help veterans.” He noted that statistics show that 22 veterans a day lose their lives through suicide due to depression, PTSD and other problems the result of their military service.
The non-profit organization raises funds to enable veterans to take advantage to a variety of outdoors activities and are now working on a hunting expedition for the fall, in addition to a program they have coming up in Cape May
The American Warrior Outdoors website provides further information on the work the organization does to help not only the veterans but their families as well. Nolan said providing eco-therapy for the families of veterans is also a priority and, in many cases, can include a veteran’s family in the therapy they promote.
Persons wishing to make donations to Fins for Freedom can visit their website at www.finsforfreedom.org.
