Support Our Soldiers

by Roy Jamason

As the son of a Veteran, I am proud of the fact that my father served in the military. His actions helped to preserve the foundation on which this country was built. This pride extends to uncles, cousins, neighbors and friends who also served in the various branches of the military. They chose to offer their service in a capacity that we civilians can scarcely imagine. We have cried with those whose loved ones paid the ultimate sacrifice of giving their very lives in the line of duty. While we remember the heros who died for our country we often overlook our living heros. Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are two campaigns where military personnel have returned with injuries received during their military service. These heros, may or may not, be able to make a smooth transition back to the lives they had before their injuries. The musician now missing a hand. The former athlete now confined to a wheelchair. The parent unable to hold their child with two arms. The road to recovery is more often than not long and not without struggle. This is not without mental anguish to themselves as well as those who love them.

There is a program that has been gaining noteriety being run by a dedicated staff of volunteers that are determined to make a difference with injured service members. This is but one of their passions, their second passion is SCUBA diving. They have combined these passions into what is now the SUDS program. SUDS (Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland is the result. The program is for injured service members of OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to help improve their lives. The program allows injured service members to learn to Scuba Dive and earn their scuba certification through SDI (Scuba Diving International). One of our major scuba manufacturers, Oceanic, has decided to jump on board and support SUDS. Oceanic has introduced the USA Patriotic line of scuba and snorkeling gear. Masks, fins snorkel and bags in red, white and blue and stars and stripes. Oceanic has committed 7% of the sales from the USA line to be given to the SUDS program. That is a wonderful commitment from a company that is not too proud to recognize, thank and reward those Veterans who have done so much for us. SnorkelingOnline has decided to join in by committing an additional 13% of sales from the Oceanic USA line purchased through us. In purchasing items from the Oceanic USA line, you will not only be showing your patriotic side, you will also be thanking and helping those who gave so much of themselves for the ideals of this great nation.

As the son of a Veteran, I am proud to see this and to be a part of it. To all the Veterans and to those still serving "Thank You." Support our Soldiers with the new Oceanic USA line which is available now. Click here to purchase the Oceanic USA Snorkeling Line.