A Day on Tampa Bay for Our Military and Their Families

Tampa Bay has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world surrounded by the sparkling turquoise water of the Gulf of Mexico. Nothing is more fun and restorative to the human spirit as a day spent on the water, enjoying friends and family while dolphins frolic and play in your boat's wake.

Tampa Bay also has some of the most generous and thoughtful people in the world, Bryan and Marilyn Custer and their company, Freedom Excursions.

The mission of Freedom Excursions, according to its founder Bryan Custer is "to provide a safe and comfortable recreation program on the water to all our honorably discharged military, active duty, and families that have experienced the stress of military life, to aid in the recuperation and rehabilitation of our wounded warriors, and to assist with their reintegration to civilian life. It is for all the brave men and women who have given so much to the military community.

Bryan Custer says that most of us who are not involved in the military do not realize the sacrifices our military men and women endure, during and after leaving the war zones. .Brian and his wife Marilyn are the parents of a son who joined the military in 2007. They could not help but wonder what if he got injured and couldn't enjoy his sailing. They came up with the idea of Freedom Excursions after visiting him and his unit in Kansas.

Most of the veterans' trips on Tampa Bay take place in the Custer's own 40 ft. motor sailing vessel. A popular Clearwater tourist attraction Dolphin Encounter, a wheelchair accessible and double-decker boat, also helps out with trips.

Freedom Excursions is a non profit organization located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. They are funded by private donations and fund raisers. Their USCG Licensed sea captions and experienced crew members work with recreational therapists and nurses from the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, one of the best rehabilitation hospitals in the country..

They aim to give recreational opportunities to vets suffering physical and psychological wounds. They are the only organization that takes "in patients" on outings involving fishing, sailing and other recreational water activities. Nurses and family members can accompany the vets.

"We cannot take away their nightmares. We can help replace them with happy memories," says Bryan Custer.

Check out their website at for more information and to donate.

http://www.freedomexcursions.org/

By:  Memmay Moore : I am a former teacher from Boston now living in Tampa Bay.....finally resuming my passion for writing and photography. I have several years experience as newsletter editor and public relations director for a childcare and family service program. Have done radio and TV spots. For many years I also operated a homestay residence for international students studying in Boston.

Source:  Associated Content