Why W4WH exists – Words from the water.

Dear Walleyes for Wounded Heroes,

I wanted to take a moment to extend my upmost gratitude. I can’t express enough how appreciative I am for the opportunities that you all have provided for me. I attended the June event in Port Clinton with Skills for life, since then I was blessed with the chance to return to more events.
These past few trips have given me life long memories that I will forever cherish.

I guess I never realized how therapeutic it can be, to take a break from the daily grind and struggles from life and spend time with other like minded veterans.

The instant camaraderie took me back to my days in the marines. For the first time in a long time I felt whole again. It was nice to share stories with veterans from different wars, I have learned that even though everyone’s experience and injuries may be different, we are share the same struggles. A genuine yearn to get out in nature and spend time around other veterans, have some laughs, heal the soul and make a few new life long friends. You guys facilitated that opportunity better than I could have ever imaged. I heard a veteran make a comment that stuck hard with me. He said “this stuff is better for me than any PTSD medicine the hospital has ever prescribed me”. I thought that was pretty powerful, and after pondering on it for a while, I come to realize he was right. I thought back on the past few trips and it registered to me that my very own mental health was exceptionally better after these trips. It was like taking in a breath of fresh air and just kinda letting it all go. There is something to be said for the fulfilling power of being in nature and resetting the soul. Which is why I can’t thank you all enough. If it wasn’t for you all, I wouldn’t be able to have had these experiences and opportunities. I am deeply grateful and appreciative.

Respectfully, Luke Sanford
Cpl USMC (Ret)