Purple Heart Veteran Rowing the Atlantic
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More people have successfully summited Mount Everest than have rowed across the Atlantic. Evan Stratton is up for the challenge! As a member of an all-military Veteran, four-person ocean rowing team, he'll will be competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (https://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/) beginning in December.
Evan and his team will be rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Canary Islands to Antigua, in a 100% self-propelled vessel, "The Woobie," as they encounter up to 40-foot waves and row over 1.5 million strokes.
Their journey is meant to raise awareness for Veteran issues related to PTS(D), TBI, and reintegration from military service.
Evan served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years, in global active and reserve duty capacities. In July 2009, while deployed to Iraq, his vehicle was hit by an anti-tank grenade. His best friend and fellow Marine, Brandon, was killed in the attack. Evan sustained severe injuries and was awarded the Purple Heart.
However, Evan's battles didn't cease once he left Iraq. He found reintegration into civilian life challenging and struggled for years with depression, suicidal thoughts and lack of proper employment.
Then, in 2013, Evan was selected to represent the Marine Corps Team at the Warrior Games competing in track, field, and swimming. He helped the Marines bring home their fourth consecutive Chairman’s Cup, winning five gold and two silver medals while also setting records in all four of his swimming events. He was then selected as a member of the 2016 Invictus Games US Team, where he won a Bronze medal in swimming. Belonging to the Wounded Warrior community brought resilience back to him and helps to push him forward to this day.
Evan is rowing the Atlantic to ensure Brandon's memory lives on and to ensure the sustainability of organizations that help Veterans with physical, mental, and emotional needs, like the ones that helped him during his darkest days. Evan represents Veterans in a tough spot, reminding them that they don’t need to have the answers, they just need to keep beating back against the waves. Evan is rowing the ocean because he wants his son to grow up believing anything is possible, even crossing the ocean in a row boat. Evan is rowing because too many people have walked through life not standing for what they believe in, or have allowed fear to keep them from pursuing challenges, and as a Husband, Father, Brother, Son, Veteran, and Wounded Warrior he never wants to counts himself among them.
Please help support Evan accomplish his goal by supporting this GoFundMe campaign. The campaign goal is $8,030, to represent the 22 per day Veterans and Service members that will commit suicide over a year. Evan is going as an un-paid volunteer during the race and is covering his personal gear at his own cost. Your contributions will help to provide the essential personal gear, cover insurance costs, provide for family security, and help get his infant son and wife to the finish line!
Thank you!
Evan and his team will be rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Canary Islands to Antigua, in a 100% self-propelled vessel, "The Woobie," as they encounter up to 40-foot waves and row over 1.5 million strokes.
Their journey is meant to raise awareness for Veteran issues related to PTS(D), TBI, and reintegration from military service.
Evan served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years, in global active and reserve duty capacities. In July 2009, while deployed to Iraq, his vehicle was hit by an anti-tank grenade. His best friend and fellow Marine, Brandon, was killed in the attack. Evan sustained severe injuries and was awarded the Purple Heart.
However, Evan's battles didn't cease once he left Iraq. He found reintegration into civilian life challenging and struggled for years with depression, suicidal thoughts and lack of proper employment.
Then, in 2013, Evan was selected to represent the Marine Corps Team at the Warrior Games competing in track, field, and swimming. He helped the Marines bring home their fourth consecutive Chairman’s Cup, winning five gold and two silver medals while also setting records in all four of his swimming events. He was then selected as a member of the 2016 Invictus Games US Team, where he won a Bronze medal in swimming. Belonging to the Wounded Warrior community brought resilience back to him and helps to push him forward to this day.
Evan is rowing the Atlantic to ensure Brandon's memory lives on and to ensure the sustainability of organizations that help Veterans with physical, mental, and emotional needs, like the ones that helped him during his darkest days. Evan represents Veterans in a tough spot, reminding them that they don’t need to have the answers, they just need to keep beating back against the waves. Evan is rowing the ocean because he wants his son to grow up believing anything is possible, even crossing the ocean in a row boat. Evan is rowing because too many people have walked through life not standing for what they believe in, or have allowed fear to keep them from pursuing challenges, and as a Husband, Father, Brother, Son, Veteran, and Wounded Warrior he never wants to counts himself among them.
Please help support Evan accomplish his goal by supporting this GoFundMe campaign. The campaign goal is $8,030, to represent the 22 per day Veterans and Service members that will commit suicide over a year. Evan is going as an un-paid volunteer during the race and is covering his personal gear at his own cost. Your contributions will help to provide the essential personal gear, cover insurance costs, provide for family security, and help get his infant son and wife to the finish line!
Thank you!
Organizer
Evan Stratton
Organizer
Denver, CO