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© Best Version Media<br />
SAILING FOR DISABLED VETERANS<br />
Offering Camaraderie and the Fun of the Sea<br />
2022 PVA with Paul <strong>Callahan</strong>, several instructors, and sailors<br />
USA and Israeli veterans sail together<br />
BY PAUL CALLAHAN, PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SAIL TO PREVAIL<br />
Countless men and women have acquired a disability while serving our<br />
country. As an organization dedicated to providing experiences for the<br />
disabled, Sail To Prevail is uniquely positioned to pay tribute to these very<br />
individuals. In the aftermath of the Iraq conflict, the organization felt it had an<br />
obligation to utilize its adaptive sailing programs to assist combat veterans who<br />
returned with physical injuries and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).<br />
Now, spanning the past 14 years, this initiative has led to Sail To Prevail having a<br />
continuous and effective relationship with the New England Paralyzed Veterans<br />
of America (PVA), the Boston Veterans Administration, the Rhode <strong>Island</strong> Veterans<br />
Home, and the Wounded Warriors. <strong>The</strong>se programs worked so well that Sail To<br />
Prevail was even inspired to start an exchange program with veterans from Israel.<br />
Each June, the PVA veterans infiltrate Newport for the weekend at Sail To<br />
Prevail. Supported by the generosity of local hotels and restaurants, these<br />
veterans become part of the fabric of the Newport experience. <strong>The</strong>y spend<br />
invigorating days competing against each other on 20-foot adaptive sailboats<br />
that, ironically, always showcase the hallmark, patriotic, red or blue sails. You<br />
can regularly spot them sailing through Newport Harbor and on the Bay.<br />
In the third week of each <strong>July</strong>, the Department of Defense funds the Boston Veterans<br />
Association allowing 80-100 eager veterans from throughout New England to<br />
descend upon Sail to Prevail in Newport for two days of sailing during their fiveday<br />
sports clinic. Sail To Prevail is honored to be part of this unique week for these<br />
veterans, who also kayak, surf, and water ski with collaborating organizations.<br />
“Sailing is a perfect vehicle to bring all branches of the military together and work<br />
toward one goal in a coordinated effort which they might not be able to do in other<br />
situations on land,” stated Sail To Prevail Chief Executive Officer and quadriplegic,<br />
Paul <strong>Callahan</strong>. “Although proud of their own military branch, there are many similarities<br />
among these organizations. <strong>The</strong>y all display similar traits of camaraderie, leadership<br />
and gratitude. Each of them enjoys working together in combat – but, only this time,<br />
it is on the water in our fleet of adaptive sailboats, and not on the battlefield.”<br />
As Sail To Prevail’s expertise and reputation grew in serving the veteran population,<br />
CEO <strong>Callahan</strong> pondered, “Why not develop a program to expose our veterans<br />
to another country’s veterans to raise the learning and coping to a higher<br />
level?” Soon thereafter, the organization chose to work with Israeli veterans,<br />
in part, due to Sail To Prevail’s long history of working with Jewish donors and<br />
supporters in the United States. Equally, <strong>Callahan</strong> experienced much admiration<br />
for the Israeli Paralympic Sailing Team when he skippered the USA boat in<br />
competition in two different Paralympic Games in Australia and Europe.<br />
VA veterans aboard one<br />
of Sail To Prevail's boats<br />
that was donated by PVA<br />
8 AQUIDNECK ISLAND LIVING
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