Service
Marlene Krpata Captain Marlene Krpata was a leg limb salvage after suffering a mortar attack while serving in Iraq. In 2011, she decided to amputate her leg below the knee. Since her amputation she has been back playing softball and running around with her nieces and nephew. Swimming in the ocean has had a calming…
Matt Richardson Sergeant Matt Richardson entered the infantry in 2006. Two years later Matt deployed to Iraq. After being in country for only 3 months, acting as Infantry Squad Leader, Matt became a casualty of friendly fire. He was on a mission near Sadr, Iraq. Matt now lives in Florida.
Roger Nelson Serving as a big crane operator, Army Specialist Roger Nelson, a car accident on post left him paralyzed. The accident broke his back, causing paraplegia. A lifelong swimmer, he misses the water since his accident. However, he looks forward to getting out of his chair and enjoy the ocean blue.
Dillon Cannon Army Specialist Dillon Cannon, guarding a roadside bomb in Iraq, became a sniper casualty. The sniper shot him in the neck, causing quadriplegia. Still an active young man, Dillon looks forward to diving and continue leading a mobile life. Dillion trains with WWDiving in Humble, TX to prepare for the “Brac for More”…
Jared LaDuke Still active duty, Army Specialist Jared LaDuke completes his second year of physical therapy after an injury in Iraq. Suddenly, an EFP (explosively formed penetrator designed to penetrate armor) struck Jared, the gunner in the lead vehicle transporting a high-ranking official. In fact, this attack occurred as the convoy detoured around bombed-out roads.…
Christopher Hull Corporal Christopher Hull spent more than 3 years in the Army before a car accident in 2007 while on leave. Now a quadriplegic, Hull remains active and looks forward to diving with the pirates in Cayman Brac.
Randal Vandever Corporal Randal Vandever joined the Army in 2005 and retired as a result of his injuries. Ambushed and shot in the arm, to this day, he suffers from nerve damage and limited use of his right arm and hand. However, he continues to look for ways to enjoy the outdoors. Randal trained with…
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 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, 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…