John Harrell is a 79-year-old Vietnam Veteran living in Spartanburg County along Lake Blalock.As a veteran struggling with PTSD, Harrell began to think about other veterans who may be going through some of the same struggles post-war.”PTSD is weird. I don’t know if you can see it,” Harrell said while gesturing at his forearm. “I woke up with that bruise one morning. That’s a part of PTSD. They say you beat yourself up.”Harrell said that, over the years, getting out on the waterways and the sounds of nature have helped him heal.Knowing that it helped him, he figured those elements could help other veterans. Last month, he founded “Fishing Vets of SC” (Spartanburg County) in hopes of using his pontoon to serve others.”I plan to take them out maybe four to six hours, find some fish on the radar, maybe they can catch a good meal and if they can’t, we can ride around the lake for a while,” Harrell said.Harrell also said it’s a great time for conversation, since vets have an understanding of other vets and challenges faced during war and life after war.”There’s some scary moments, and even if you don’t get shot at, which I’ve had a bullet go over my head, and it’s not a good sound,” Harrell said. “It’s really scary and we can talk to each other, relate to each other, and let’s get it out of your system.””Fishing Vets of SC” (Spartanburg County) will provide fishing equipment and meals free of charge.Harrell said he believes he can truly make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country while providing a positive outlook on life.”No matter how down you get, there’s always an upside,” Harrell said. “Go out and look at nature. If you can’t find five things that’s beautiful in this world, you’re in trouble.”Veterans can sign up for the experience by emailing here.
John Harrell is a 79-year-old Vietnam Veteran living in Spartanburg County along Lake Blalock.
As a veteran struggling with PTSD, Harrell began to think about other veterans who may be going through some of the same struggles post-war.
“PTSD is weird. I don’t know if you can see it,” Harrell said while gesturing at his forearm. “I woke up with that bruise one morning. That’s a part of PTSD. They say you beat yourself up.”
Harrell said that, over the years, getting out on the waterways and the sounds of nature have helped him heal.
Knowing that it helped him, he figured those elements could help other veterans. Last month, he founded “Fishing Vets of SC” (Spartanburg County) in hopes of using his pontoon to serve others.
“I plan to take them out maybe four to six hours, find some fish on the radar, maybe they can catch a good meal and if they can’t, we can ride around the lake for a while,” Harrell said.
Harrell also said it’s a great time for conversation, since vets have an understanding of other vets and challenges faced during war and life after war.
“There’s some scary moments, and even if you don’t get shot at, which I’ve had a bullet go over my head, and it’s not a good sound,” Harrell said. “It’s really scary and we can talk to each other, relate to each other, and let’s get it out of your system.”
“Fishing Vets of SC” (Spartanburg County) will provide fishing equipment and meals free of charge.
Harrell said he believes he can truly make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country while providing a positive outlook on life.
“No matter how down you get, there’s always an upside,” Harrell said. “Go out and look at nature. If you can’t find five things that’s beautiful in this world, you’re in trouble.”
Veterans can sign up for the experience by emailing here.