Reported By: Jay Cashmere
Photographer: Tom Special
Deep in the heart of the caribbean lies a place where colorful coral comes to life. Where a tranquil sub tropical breeze glides over crystal clear water. It is Bonaire where something special is about to happen.
"Been waiting for this for a long time," says Tony Larson.
Six men in their 20's have converged on the small 24 mile island ready to submerge on a new endeavor. One that tugs at the heart when you see what they have in common.
"It forever changed my life at first, I thought my life was over, I'd never be able to do anything," says Larson.
Each has a date in their life they will never forget. Orlando Gill's came October 2nd 2004.
"An insurgent managed to get a shot out with an 'R.P.G.' which unfortunately for me hit me directly in the leg and amputated my leg right there on the spot."
All served their country proud in Iraq and Afghanistan but paid for it dearly. These are the men of the Wounded Warriors Project. Single and double amputees who linked up with Disabled Sports USA in rehab to take on a new mission, learning how to dive.
"Their idea: let's heal the family, reintroduce them that they can do anything," says Dave Reidenbach.
In the best possible place ranking in the top five dive destinations in the world, six men who once thought they'd never be able to swim again, immersed themselves into the water of Bonaire National Marine Park conquering their biggest obstacle.
"This is what we get into diving for. When I became a dive instructor over 30 years ago I wanted that excitement, I wanted to see people learn to dive for the very first time and experience it for the the first time and these guys have reminded me how much I enjoy doing that," says Tom Ingram.
"The journey here to the beautiful waters of Bonaire has been an emotional one for each of these soldiers and for one reason, each time they enter the water their disabilities disappear.
Using specially modified webbed gloves, they propel themselves into the depths of Bonaire overlooking the worlds top coral reef and in the process removing emotional scars making them whole again.
"In the water you're free to do whatever you want, to do it as fast as you want, to do it as slow as you want to, there's nothing hindering you back," says Gill.
It's a special opportunity that brings tears to the eyes of instructors who long for the opportunity to give back to soldiers who have given so much.
"When that smile comes up and they've got this big grin, it's just there's nothing to compare it to, I don't know how to describe it the feeling I get inside," sasy Jack Chalk.
A new door has been opened in a special place where every element of the sub tropics blend together. Where six men dove in with uncertainty and surfaced with a new outlook to carry for a lifetime.
"I put on my business card, I'm a life enthusiast because I go out and enjoy life now. I came so close to dying that day and going from that to where I'm at now is just an example of what I do to enjoy life," says Larson.
