Dive Chapter

2020 recipient Scott Wilson with spartan short and medal on sat in a vehicle

Scott Wilson

Scott Wilson Scott comes from a military family, and after he graduated from high school his plan was to work a year or two in the oilfield to get some money behind them and then join the marines.  He had all of his paperwork in and was three weeks from leaving to begin his military career when…

Monty Crumrine

Monty Crumrine

Retired US Army Specialist Monty Crumrine Monty Crumrine served in the US Army as a tactical wire operations specialist. He left the service in 1985 to return to his career as a lineman with New Braunfels Utilities. On March 18, 1988, his left shoulder made contact with a high voltage line. The electricity exited both…

Michael Malarsie

Michael Malarsie Senior Airman Michael Malarsie, still active duty in the air force, serves in San Antonio, TX.  While on foot patrol in Iraq, an IED blasted him off a bridge and into the water. Michael lost his sight and suffered some shrapnel injuries. In honor of those in his patrol that died that day…

Daniel Burney

Daniel Burney Lance Corporal Daniel Burney was a helicopter mechanic in the Marine Corp when he had a major car accident on base fractured his back, causing paraplegia. He now lives in Kerrville, TX, gearing up to join the pirates on the 2013 trip.

Thomas Hudson

Still active duty, Senior Airman Thomas Hudson, lost most of the fingers on his right hand while serving in Iraq. The water actually took away most of his hand pain. His wife, Katelyn, also active military, trained to be his dive buddy for the 2011 trip.

Travis Clennon

Travis Clennon After four tours of duty, Staff Sergeant Travis Clennon sustained an injury on his last tour, Afghanistan, by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Considered an incomplete paraplegic, Travis remains quite mobile with the help of leg braces. Therefore, he thoroughly enjoyed the 2011 “Brac with Friends” tour as a Dive Pirate.

Gerard Miller

Gerard Miller Still active in the military, Gerard Miller suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm. Now, he lives with nerve damage from the elbow down. He joined the Dive Pirates as a 2011 recipient.

David Lofgren

David Lofgren David Lofgren, a MP in the US Army, sustained an injury during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Originally from Utah, he spent time rehabilitating in San Antonio where he trained at Dive Masters of San Antonio. Now, he resides with his fiancee in Buffalo, NY. David has an infectious smile and is part of the…

Albert Garcia

Albert is an avid motorcyclist who lost his right arm in an accident several years ago.  When he learned he could dive as an amputee, he was an enthusiastic student.  He still rides on a 3 wheeler and loves the road – and diving.

Nathan Gonzalez

Sergeant Nathan Gonzalez, a retired marine, had a duty to protect US Embassies abroad.  Nate loved diving then and after an automobile accident he thought he would never dive again.  He is now a happy dive pirate living in Boerne, TX and went to Cayman Brac in 2008.