Navy SEALs Took on Lake Norman to Save Veterans

How many times have you heard it said that PTSD is a sign of weakness? Some are still thinking that even after all these years. Nothing seems to be able to educate them on the simple fact that Medal of Honor recipients have said they suffer from what war did to them. Were they weak? Hell no and they proved that by doing whatever they could to save someone else.

Generals have publicly talked about their own struggles to heal. Members of Special Forces have come forward to show that no matter how courageous they were, no matter how well they were trained, they could not be trained to stop being human and caring.

That is the biggest thing missing in all the talking going on. It is not that they are weak at all. It is because the core of their emotions is so strong they able to do what they do for the sake of someone else. They are willing to "pay any price up to and including their own lives" until everyone goes home.

That is when they feel the pain the most and the danger created by combat is the greatest threat to them.


SEALs Swim Across Lake Norman to Save Veterans from Suicide
FOX 46 Charlotte
Caroline Fountain Digital Journalist
Posted: Jul 24, 2015

The darkness nearly swallowed up Kevin Trainor, a Mooresville veteran.

Lake Norman, N.C. (WJZY) -- Many of our military men and women face death when they are sent into combat. But it's actually here at home where more veterans lose their lives due to post traumatic stress disorder.

A group of Navy SEALs took on Lake Norman Friday for a 13.1 mile swim to bring awareness to the 22 veteran suicides that happen every day. Just last week that number became a lot more real.

Members of the community also took to the water for a 1.2 mile swim all to help save veteran’s lives.

"These are our national treasures that we're losing to suicide. We're going to stand in the gap for these guys. We're not going to let them fade away into darkness and hopelessness. We're going to show up every year and we're going to swim and raise awareness and get the word out. It's growing. We are making an impact in our community," said Shannon Rusch, Navy SEAL and founder of SEAL Swim Charities.

"We just lost another brother last week who was with the rescue swimmer group. We're fixing to lay him to rest. Through PTSD, he took his own life," said Trainor.
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