MN DAV Chapter 39 members Travis Rust and Ken Plant have discovered they have a lot in common. They both served in the Marine Corps. A generation apart, they both were stationed at the Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point, NC (Rust as a Harrier mechanic, Plant as a correspondent). They both serve on the Annual Leo Luskey DAV Golf Tournament fundraising committee and both receive ongoing physical therapy at the Minneapolis VAMC. David VanDoorn, Travis Rust, Ken Plant
Rust and Plant have come to a NEW and mutual realization, some of the best therapy does not have to come from the VA Mental Health clinic. In fact, spending the morning in a boat with volunteer fishing guide David VanDoorn, can have significant and positive mental health value. Rust and Plant participated in the “Ken Yontz” Take-A-Veteran Fishing event on Sunday, Sept. 19, along with other Veterans. The two Marines spent the day on Lake Minnetonka which included a morning of fishing followed by lunch with a variety of informational and educational speakers. The event is just one of the outdoor programs offered to Veterans by the Operation Outdoor Freedom Foundation https://operationfishingfreedom.com/Travis Rust
VanDoorn was their fishing guide that morning and helped them boat some nice-sized bass. The two DAV members spent the morning talking about how the DAV supports Veterans and their Families, as well as how both the DAV and Minneapolis VA Hospital has helped them with their own struggles since leaving the service. The professional guide shared how Operation Outdoor Freedom Foundation has also helped Veterans and Family members.
All three agreed in the boat that morning, that fishing, as well as other outdoor sports, has meaningful therapy for the “mind and soul.” VanDoorn volunteers to take Veterans fishing throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota up to 150 days per year. More about Take-A-Vet fishing can be found at http://takeavetfishing.org/Ken Plant
Just some of the supportive organizations attendees learned about included…
