Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Bonaire to Welcome “Wounded Warriors” for Second Year In-a-Row This August

From August 11 to 18, 2007 the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) along with Captain Don’s Habitat, the Home of Diving Freedom, will welcome an exceptional group of people to the island of Bonaire.  These remarkable and courageous people are U.S. Soldiers and Marines severely injured in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families on a once-in-a-lifetime scuba diving trip during which they will become certified scuba divers.

Their journey to become certified scuba divers began for some at the No Barriers Festival in Lake Tahoe, California and at the Adaptive Water Sports Festival in Breezy Point, New York for others.  Part of the Disabled Sports USA Wounded Warrior Project, these Festivals provided the opportunity for injured service men and women to experience adaptive sports like bicycling, water skiing and, for the second year-in-a-row, scuba diving.  With the help of DEMA’s Scuba Tour and specially trained volunteers from Disabled Sports USA and the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA), injured service people, many with single and multiple amputations, along with their family members were introduced to adaptive scuba diving in the comfort of the Scuba Tour’s pool.  TCB is a sponsor of DEMA’s Scuba Tour.

After trying scuba diving for the first time, six of the “Warriors” decided to pursue their dive certification with the hope of completing their open water dives in a beautiful, warm water destination.  This August, Bonaire will host this group of “Wounded Warriors” to complete their open water dive certification.

Also joining the six service men and women on their trip to Bonaire will be their spouse or companion; the Scuba Tour’s Big Wave Dave; DEMA Executive Director Tom Ingram; Scott Taylor, a certified handicapped scuba instructor and military veteran; Kathy Celo from Disabled Sports USA; and representatives from the Handicapped Scuba Association.  The group will stay and dive with Captain Don’s Habitat.

“We are pleased to welcome back the Wounded Warriors for the second year in a row to our island, which provides the ideal atmosphere for disabled divers with easily accessible reefs, shore diving, calm waters and disability experienced dive centers,” said Ronella Croes Director of the Tourism Corporation Bonaire.

Jack Chalk, Manager of Captain Don’s Habitat added “we look forward to hosting this extraordinary group again and feel honored to be able to give back to these people who gave so much.”

In addition to Captain Don’s Habitat providing accommodations and diving, the following organizations have made generous donations to support the wounded warrior’s trip to Bonaire: Re/Max Paradise Homes, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Papaya Moon Cantina, Bonaire Talk, Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant, Bikers Bonaire Motorcycle Club, Rum Runners, Bonaire Tours, Jewel of Bonaire and Tourism Corporation Bonaire.

The Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project enables injured service members and their families to experience everything life has to offer through sports and recreation and achieve success in sports thereby providing the foundation for an active and positive life.  The Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project is a partnership between Disabled Sports USA, its chapters and the Wounded Warrior Project (both are 501 C3 not for profit groups).  To find out more about the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org or call 212-629-8881.

For more information on Captain Don’s Habitat visit www.HabitatBonaire.com.  (Source:  TCB Release)