I have written many times about my friend, Master Sergeant of Marines, William "Spanky" Gibson. You can read his story here and then you can read about his promotion here and you can even read about the truth from the front lines of Iraq right here. And if all of that isn't enough for you, then you can read my personal story of how Spanky chose to honor me.
Well now Spanky, who has been working in DC on a Congressional Fellowship (something usually reserved for those with the rank of Captain and above) is at it again. Not content with currently training for a solo attempt to swim the English Channel, he has now joined Night Train Swimmers - a group who are part of the Wounded Warriors Project and they plan to undertake the longest swim in the history of mankind - starting in La Paz , Mexico and swim straight across the Sea of Cortez. The swim is expected to take between 150 and 180 hours and it will be a non stop relay event.
Spanky has joined the team as Safety Officer and he is also helping to train the swimmers. Of course the whole idea is to raise money for the WWP. "We will swim under the English Channel rules: no wet suit and strict one hour shifts. This should take us roughly 150 to 180 hours swimming night and day, non stop. Each swimmer can expect to swim 15 to 18 hours total. Knowing that you donated and that we are committed to such a huge cause will mean the world to each swimmer while in shark-infested waters at 3am when it's totally dark."
Over the past few years, Spanky has trained for and completed multiple triathlons and endurance events. "His addition to our team is invaluable and not losing a swimmer in the middle of the night is most desirable," said Night Train co-founder John Mathews.
So what should you do? Well the answer is quite simple. This group is dedicated to helping severly wounded war heroes. They need money! Why else would you attempt to swim 157 miles non stop, right?
But first let's hear from Vito Bialla - a Vietnam Vet who perhaps sums up why something like this is so needed. I REALLY hope the media is paying attention!! "First, you deal with depression, then ridicule. The media lets you know daily what you did really isn't all that popular. Then you try to pick up the pieces and regain some normalcy in your life. The experience of real combat, getting wounded and shot at by people who really hate you, and our country, leaves you scarred if not physically certainly emotionally . There simply is no other way to put it. This is where the Wounded Warrior Project comes in.
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. It serves to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call (904) 296-7350 or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Matthew Davie, a Night Train Swimmer had this to say. "We are very excited to swim the Sea of Cortez, but even more excited for the opportunity to raise awareness and funding for Wounded Warrior Project. It's a good cause that deserves recognition and support, and it will keep us going when it's 3am and we can't see land in either direction."
Night Train Swimmers has set a goal of raising $500,000 for Wounded Warrior Project with this swim, with donations made directly to WWP through www.nighttrainswimmers.com
I can think of no more worthy cause than helping the men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure our freedom. You even have the freedom not to help - but hopefully you will send a link to this blog to everyone in your data base so they can get on board and help Night Train Swimmers smash that $500,000 target to pieces. Don't forget! Support Spanky! He gave so much for you! Support the Wounded Warrior Project! They are there to help others who have sacrificed! And before you send this blog on to your friends, please visit www.nighttrainswimmers.com and send them a few bucks.
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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
Simon Conway is the winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net
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