HSA Training Center of NJ Travels to Bonaire, Netherlands, Antilles
Six Wounded Warriors Receive Their Scuba Diving C-Cards - Oct.2006

Last June when we were asked to help out by doing a Discover Scuba Program for veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan war, we never though it would take us on an adventure of a lifetime. Starting at Breezy Point in Queens, New York, it would then take us to Bonaire, Netherlands, Antilles.

The Adaptive Water Sports Festival is part of the nation wide joint effort between Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project and Disabled Sports / USA at Breezy Point, New York.

It was at this year’s 2006 Festival, that scuba diving was introduced to the program, with the help of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association’s Scuba Tour the Handicapped Scuba Association Training Center of New Jersey, and specially trained volunteers from the New York City Fire Department, and Greybeards.

Dave Reidenbach, a PADI Course Director, and HSA, along with many volunteers,
Equipped over 30 veterans and their family members in scuba gear to experience the feeling of weightlessness in the water. The veterans many with amputations and other severe injuries, were treated to the feeling of being neutrally buoyant and what a joy it was to all of them.

The first day’s program proved so successful, that arrangements were made to continue with eight veterans to complete scuba certification training. When Flip Mullens, a N.Y. City Firefighter and a member of Greybeards, offered his pool and house for a place to begin the training, we jumped at it. As a Handicapped Scuba Instructor working with disabled students for many years, I have found that once cleared by a doctor, and with the newer inventions of lighter prosthetic swim legs, just about anyone can overcome their disabilities and enjoy this exciting sport.

Training continued that week, but the cold waters of New York’s Jamaica Bay would not be a good place to have the group do their first open water dives. So with the help of DEMA, Adams Unlimited, Wounded Warriors Project, Disabled Sports USA, Captain Don’s Habitat, Bonaire, the Tourism Board of Bonaire, the Government of Bonaire, and many local businesses on the island, a plan was made to complete their scuba diving training in Bonaire.

The plan was to have everyone fly into Montego Bay, Jamaica and board a plane for Bonaire. Of the eight veterans that started classes in New York, six unbelievable and courageous young U.S. servicemen were able to make the trip at this time. I was a little nervous about the whole trip, but as we made our landing into Flamingo Airport, I could see the calm clear ocean water, and I knew it was going to be a great week.

On arrival, we were met by a host of local dignitaries including Governor Domacasse’ of Bonaire. From the moment I shook hands with him, I could tell he was a caring, loving person who felt deeply about the island, the people who live there, and where the islands future was headed. I was impressed with the time he gave me to talk about the island and the form of government on Bonaire.

As we exited the airport, we where met by a group of flag waving Americans who live on the island, offering us refreshments after our long flight. We were whisked off to Captain Don’s Habitat, being escorted by the Bonaire Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club. While on the way to Captain Don’s Habitat, we had a motor tour of downtown Kralendijk.

During the week we toured just about every part of the island’s land. We then went underwater, diving at Captain Don’s Habitat, Divi Flamingo and Buddy Dive. After the warriors were certified, Captain Don’s scuba instructors and dive masters took us to see some of the most beautiful reefs in the world and on a special dive to the Hilma Hooker, a wreck in about a hundred feet of sea water (a great dive not to be missed if you go to Bonaire).

The only scare I had underwater was when one of the warriors decided to take his mask off and remove his regulator at the same time. I rushed over to him, put the regulator back in his mouth and handed him his mask. When we got to the surface, I said what the hell where you doing down there, and he responded “Just doing my skills. I was ok; you were the one that flinched first”.

The tour of Washington-Slagbaai Nature Preserve was really a treat. The park is full of exotic birds. We saw mockingbirds, parrots, bananaquits, doves, and the best was the many flocks of flamingoes. The scenery included mesquite, divi divi, dyewood, mato-piska trees, yatu and kadushi cati, aloe plants, and roaming freely were iguanas, wild donkeys, and goats.

We were treated to lunches and dinners at City Café’, Cactus Blue, KFC, Divi Flamingo,
Buddy Dive, and a Texas BBQ hosted by Jack Chalk and Adams Unlimited. We also had a beautiful dinner at the Governor residence, where we met the Governor’s lovely wife, who made everyone feel as if they were in their own home.

I just wanted to mention that not wanting to be out done by the Wounded Warriors, the wives and a sister of these courageous men wanted to take the plunge in to the beautiful, blue waters surrounding Bonaire. After a couple of classes, the ladies made their first dive in front of Captain Don’s. The next day they were found diving along side their husbands and brother, each young mermaid now looking forward to completing their certifications.

To watch these young people interact with each other on land and underwater made me proud to be part of the festivities.

The week went by too fast. As we stepped on to the airplane to leave the beautiful island of Bonaire, my heart swelled up with happiness and my eyes filled with tears.

The week I had spent on the island was over, and I knew I would miss this island where the people are as beautiful as the fauna and flora. Where I didn’t hear a car horn blow, my cell phone ring, or an unkind word spoken,

I looked around at the friends I had been with this week, and they all had smiles on their faces and talked about coming back.

I will return one day to this enchanting island where the people open their hearts and the
Government opened its doors to these our, American Soldiers.

God Bless and Keep Bonaire.