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    Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba visit Guantanamo Bay

    Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba Visit GTMO

    Photo By Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth | Army Col. Linda Ross (left) and Air Force Capt. Bryant Bair (right) help retired Army...... read more read more

    GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Imagine yourself on patrol in Afghanistan or Iraq and all of a sudden your convoy comes under attack; small arms fire and explosions surround you. A blast goes off near your vehicle and the next thing you know you are in a field hospital getting ready to be medically evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

    Most of us wouldn’t be thinking of scuba diving after such an experience, but that is exactly what is waiting for wounded warriors if they are willing.

    Wounded service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center have the opportunity to heal both physically and mentally by learning scuba diving with Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba. SUDS teaches adaptive scuba to service members disabled in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom who participate in physical therapy or occupational therapy programs.

    Eight wounded warriors came to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay with certified scuba instructor John Thompson for a four day dive excursion, Aug. 26–31. Thompson, the president of SUDS, has certified more than 150 injured service members since 2007.

    “This continues to be the most rewarding project I’ve ever been involved in,” Thompson said. “These men and women have amazing stories and are great Americans; all I want to do is give them back a sense of normalcy.”

    Retired Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician Tech. Sgt. Adam Popp was defusing an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan’s Paktia province Dec. 7, 2007, when a secondary IED exploded, injuring his right leg. Popp’s leg was amputated and he was medically evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he underwent multiple surgeries before meeting Thompson during a physical therapy session at the Walter Reed pool.

    “John was persistent about me learning how to scuba, and before I knew it, I was getting certified in the pool at Walter Reed,” Popp said. “Now I’m here in Guantanamo on my third trip with SUDS.”

    Diving from the secluded beaches at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay offers a look at some of the most pristine dive spots in the Caribbean.

    “The diving is great, you’re one-on-one with the volunteers who really know the dive spots,” Popp said.

    The wounded warriors look forward to Guantanamo dive trips, Thompson said.

    “We go on a bunch of trips throughout the year, but this is the trip everyone wants to come on,” he said. “The people here are so welcoming and helpful, the volunteers are incredible.”

    Volunteers from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and Joint Task Force Guantanamo were eager to help the wounded warriors.

    “SUDS is an incredible cause – these guys have given everything for this country so it’s nice to give a little back,” said Air Force 1st Lt. Jessica Rapagnani, with Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

    The wounded warriors appreciate the support given to them by all the service members assigned to Guantanamo.

    “I want to personally thank everyone here in Guantanamo. They don’t get enough thanks for what they do. They have a tough mission and they have made it really easy for us to dive,” said retired Army Maj. J.D. Greer.

    All the wounded warriors, who made the trip to Guantanamo dive for their own personal reasons and are very independent people who don’t dwell on their disabilities.

    “When you get in the water all of you disabilities go right out the window and everyone is on a level playing field” Popp said. “It is really soothing and really relaxing … there are no worries when you are underwater.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.07.2010
    Date Posted: 09.07.2010 20:22
    Story ID: 55868
    Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU

    Web Views: 263
    Downloads: 11

    PUBLIC DOMAIN