Many Rivers of Recovery participants find their experience so transformative, they want to share it with others. That’s why veterans are often our biggest advocates.
Sometimes it’s by simply spreading the word. Other times RoR alumni encourage other vets to come on a trip—or even join their buddies to make it more comfortable for them.
And
In our last post, we shared the story of Rivers of Recovery and the people who’ve embraced our mission to serve veterans.
In response, readers asked us how they can help veterans in their communities.
Here are our suggestions.
1. Talk to a VetOne of the simplest things you
Rivers of Recovery began with one man’s vision, but our success reflects the many people who have taken up our cause over the years.
The heart of our organization is the relationships we’ve built on the river banks and nurtured long after the boats dock. It’s not a coincidence that the people who know us best
The transition from the military to civilian life can hold unexpected challenges for many veterans.
It’s particularly true for combat vets, as well as those who have served since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Derek McGinnis understands the challenges firsthand. An Iraq War combat vet, he served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman for
Levi Crawford joined the military for the same reason many others do—he wanted to make a difference in the world.
He served a tour with the Army National Guard in Iraq and later in Afghanistan. His Afghanistan tour was cut short in May 2010 when Levi was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
After a long recovery, Levi found Rivers of Recovery (RoR) through his U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Advocate. In 2013 he went on his first trip in Cotter, Arkansas.
If there’s one thing Dan Laffin wants any new Rivers of Recovery (RoR) participant to know, it’s that this trip will be different.
“It’s not the typical veteran’s event where people are going to share hugs and talk about their feelings,” Dan explained. “It’s about being with other vets and doing fun stuff.”
And that’s why Dan believes veterans appreciate the organization—and the experience.
When you talk to Rivers of Recovery (RoR) vets who just finished their first fly fishing trip, they use very similar words to describe the experience.
Spiritual. Peaceful. Calm. Therapeutic. Restorative.
That’s the foundation of any RoR trip. And after their first exposure to fly fishing, many participants are hooked.
When you’re talking to veterans about Rivers of Recovery, you hear one thing a lot: “You’ve got to talk to Jose.”
Every vet’s story is different. But there’s something about Jose Jauregui’s story that resonates with other veterans, and many RoR participants feel a special connection with him long after the trip is over.
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