Service
Petty Officer Thomas (Tom) Goerler, US Navy When Tom was in high school, the Army National Guard was offering full college tuition, so during his junior year, he signed up and even took in his first training between his junior and senior years. By the time he graduated, the offer for tuition was off the table, so Tom decided he’d stay the…
Michael Whittaker Michael Whittaker, a U.S. Navy Electronics Technician, has spent his life seeking adventure, pushing boundaries, and serving others. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1982, setting out on a path that would take him worldwide. He often parachuted as a radio communicator to establish secure communications. Ensuring his team could…
Petty Officer First Class Karl Olson, US Navy Karl grew up amazed at the submarines he saw on PBS on Saturday morning’s military hour, and at age 19 he was walking onto his first submarine as a member of the United States Navy. He remembers thinking, “Two years ago I was on a tractor in Minnesota, now I get…
Retired Airman Kenneth Walsh, US Navy Kenneth Walsh served two years in the US Navy before a training accident severed his spinal cord, causing quadriplegia. After his service, as a technology and shop teacher, Ken worked actively as a peer mentor with the Minnesota Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. He also competed in…
Petty officer 2nd class US Navy Tom Hall. Tom Hall joined the navy after one year of college to take a break from school and see the world some. He was in the navy for 6 years and is a Gulf War vet. A motorcycle accident in 2001 caused his complete spinal cord injury, resulting…
Jason Geiser Jason Geiser spent nine years in the US Navy, spending time as an Interior Communications Electrician while at sea. Also, as a teacher of survival school he spent time stateside. After leaving the military, in 2008, he became a police officer. Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident caused his paraplegia.
Sean Ryan Petty Officer Sean Ryan had a very successful career in the Navy, spending many of those years in special ops. After leaving the service he suffered a gunshot wound to the chest at point blank range, causing paraplegia. He loves to swim and keeps in shape, a father of three children who strives…
Randy Gallup Shortly after Avionics Technician 1st Class Randy Gallup married in 2007, he and his wife were in a motorcycle accident. The crash claimed his wife and left him without a right arm. along with multiple other injuries. Driven to move forward with life, he now mentors others with life-changing injuries and is now…
Larry O’Daniel Major Larry O’Daniel has served in the Navy during the Vietnam War era. More recently he served as a Military Policeman in the US Army. While in Iraq, a cancerous tumor required the removal of his leg. The surgery has not deterred Larry from motorcycling or diving as he finished his certification in…
Airman Timothy Jones was wounded while serving as a mechanic in the Top Gun program in the Navy. This resulted in a spinal chord injury. He plays quad rugby while also attending college and raising three active children with his wife, Melissa. Tim joined us on part of the Cayman Brac trip in 2008.