Hometown Heroes: H.O.O.A.H. and Green Bay Scuba Bringing Healing to Veterans
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – There is a collective effort underway where Veterans are healing other Veterans and in a way themselves through scuba diving.
“You’re weightless and a lot of that joint and muscle pain can disappear,” explained Army Veteran Mike Hagel of Shawano. “Mentally it’s quiet. It’s a completely different world you get to explore.”
Mike had hoped U.S. Army doctors would be able to fix his injuries associated with an IED explosion during his first of two tours in Afghanistan. His medical discharge cut his military career short. But what was bothering him went far beyond his shrapnel injuries.
Hometown Hero: Army Veteran Mike Hagel and how scuba helped heal wounds of war
“I started getting back in touch with some other people I deployed with that’s how I learned more about what a TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury is. That led to treatment and that’s why I am here now.”
He is happy and healthy, raising a family and taking scuba diving training from Green Bay Scuba via the non-profit H.O.O.A.H. The idea was spearheaded by a Green Bay native and volunteer coordinator Hattie Liebman.
Hagel saw a fellow soldier’s Facebook post about the free scuba training.
“We are a Veterans support organization with the primary focus being preventing Veteran suicide which was going down but is now creeping back up,” explained Scot Conklin, Vice President of H.O.O.A.H. Green Bay which is now its entity with the national organization blessing because it has been so innovative with its programs.
“We put our nose to the grindstone and try to come up with programs so Vets can create community.”
Hometown Heroes: Bronze Star recipient Clyde Bridger of Oconto
Conklin is also a Veteran who served active duty with the U.S. Air Force and the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He too like Hagel was medically discharged. He too has benefitted from scuba.
“Military’s pretty much go, go go,” Conklin began. “When you go back to civilian life you kind of miss the high tempo. Scuba provides that high-tempo environment. It’s very unique being underwater.”
One other veteran critical to this equation is U.S. Navy Veteran Al Pahnke, the owner of Green Bay Scuba. He and his wife don’t charge H.O.O.A.H. or the Veterans so as many can participate.
In Hagel’s case, he’s gone to become an assistant instructor and will further his training to become a fully qualified instructor.
“It’s good to see,” said Panhke who joked about somebody having to take over from him when he retires. He also tears up when asked how gratifying it is to serve his fellow Veterans this way.
Hometown Heroes: Coast Guard Veteran Cliff Beaupre of Manitowoc
Hagel hopes by sharing his story other Veterans will also take the plunge.
“Don’t be afraid to go below. Everybody as a Veteran has taken leaps of faith before if that’s what’s keeping you back. you’re going love when you do take that leap.”
For more information on the scuba program click here.
To support the scuba program or any of the activities for our Veterans click here.
