Viet Nam War – the words ignite various emotions and memories for many Americans. Some opposed it, others fought in it, soldiers gave their lives, or those who lost their loved ones. Upon returning home, veterans who fought were not appropriately honored nor respected for their service. One Veteran, Steve Henline, resolved he would try to correct this error. He vowed to do something for those who served and returned physically or emotionally disabled or affected by the war.
Captain Steve Henline was one of those vets who returned to an unappreciative America. “In the 1960s, I was affected by the way Veterans from Viet were treated upon their return. At that moment, I was determined and vowed to help. My feelings go back 40-50 years,” he said. Steve served in the Air Force in 1962-66 in the Viet Nam conflict. This was a natural choice as he had his grandfather, father, stepfather, uncles, brothers-in-law, and friends all serve. “My family has a tradition of service to the country,” he said.
He had a dream to “pay it forward” for the wounded veterans and decided fishing and a boat would be the answer. He decided to buy a boat that could meet his goals, but could not find one in the US. The goal was a boat that would accommodate wheelchairs for both adults and children. He searched throughout the country for a boat and could not find one. His Board of Directors told him to build it. “My Board is extraordinary people and all volunteers. They have a great sense of community. They can raise funds for the organization and no one takes a dime — it is all volunteering.” So, Steve built his own craft he named Freedom’s Dream. What he believed would take a few months took 13 months. He created a pontoon-like boat, and now has a suitable vessel to take disabled veterans, adults, and children out on Utah Lake to fish or just enjoy the ride.
Steve tries to get the boat filled at least four to six days a week, and after almost three months, the boat is going three to four days a week. Initially the goal for 2013 was to take 300 people out on Freedom’s Dream. They recently marked a milestone noting over 300 had been taken out by July 15, 2013. However, it takes money for fuel, ice, insurance and other costs. “We want to partner with other like organizations that can share the mission, values, and goals of what we are trying to do,” he said. “We need corporate help. If you were to come aboard the boat with children or men in wheelchairs, it would touch you. We need help from wherever we can get it.”
Word is spreading about the great organization, and slowly people are coming to know Hand in Hand Outdoors’ goals and mission. “Every encounter with these disabled veterans and children brings me joy. It is the most significant thing we can do is realize we live in communities where many people give and there are needs. My community has taught me, like the Lord tried to teach us ‘we are all our brother’s keeper.’”
One example he cited of a disabled vet was Sgt. Gordie Ewell from Saratoga Springs. “His job in Afghanistan was to improvise explosive devices (IED). He was blown up seven times, but on the seventh, the injuries were so severe he was truly disabled. He is blind, has physical limitations and brain damage. He won the bronze star for valor and a list of decorations beyond belief for his service. He is an inspiration to anyone who loves his country. Sgt. Ewell is a positive person, a great speaker, and he has authored three books.”
Besides the water craft, his dream needed a foundation so he could “take wounded warriors as well as children and adults with disabilities out on the water where they can fish, enjoy the ride, or just find peace.” Steve spoke at great length with businesses in Spanish Fork, Utah. A non-profit organization Handinhandoutdoors.com (501-c3) was set up. As word spread about what he was doing, people came forward and wanted to help in the smallest way. Word has gotten out to many people of this great endeavor. The Western States Director of Veterans Centers (118 in the western US and Alaska), said he would like to see this expand and accommodate more people.
Steve’s vision is to have these pontoon boats built by veterans thus providing jobs for those returning from serving their country. The hundreds of boats throughout the United States would be manned with disabled veterans, providing more jobs as well as being therapeutic for those who ride the boats. “We want to provide a decent wage for these men,” he said.
“I always look for the ‘Big Watermelon,’” he said. He relates watching the Little Rascals and the episode “A lad and a lamp” where Stymie, the black little Rascal, wishes on a lantern for a watermelon, and someone tells him to wish for a big watermelon. It is a wish he wants for all disabled vets, to have a “big watermelon” they can use for fishing and relaxation. He said the possibility to grow this organization is the need for boats. A facility where veterans with disabilities could be hired to fabricate the boats is needed. They would be well-trained and have a decent paid wage. They could also create boats for the recreational market place. He found a place that has solar power motors for boats. “I would love to have a pontoon boat that is energy efficient and non-pollutant,” he said.
Being a retired charter boat captain, the pontoon idea came as second nature to him. Freedom’s Dream is a 35 foot by 10 foot aluminum pontoon boat especially constructed to accommodate wheelchairs. Its capacity is six wheelchairs and 18 passengers including captain and mate. There are three wheelchair access gates. It is powered by a 200 horsepower Mercury Outboard with all USCG-rated safety equipment. The bow is open for fly fishing with half the length covered by a canopy for protection from the elements. There is a 39 inch aluminum safety rail throughout the craft. It is completely rigged to fish with rods, reels, and tackle, side imaging fish finder (sonar) with GPS, down riggers, etc. There is a stainless steel cleaning station with wash down pumps and stainless tacky prep cabinets. There is a VHF marine band radio, AM/FM CD stereo with Bluetooth and four marine speakers. They are fully instrumental consoles, both helm and overhead. Both Captain and mates are USCG licensed. The boat is moored at Utah Lake State Park in Provo, Utah.
“The services we provide are without cost to those who are aboard. This is a way we can say thank you to our veterans and provide a day of recreation to those disabled individuals that might not otherwise have the opportunity,” Steve said. He has worked with Utah Lake Commission on their 4th Grade Field Trips teaching these students how to cast a fishing pole. He was able to help about 400 students from all three Utah County school districts. They were able to follow his lead and learned to cast their poles. “These are what we need to teach these children so they have some hobby or life line when they are older,” he said.
Captain Henline is the founder and states, “The debt we as a nation and our local communities owe to those who wear our nation’s uniforms can never be paid. Our organization’s mission is to provide those service men and women with resources to enrich their lives through participation in the outdoors with guided fishing, boating, camping, hunting, and shooting sports. It will be achievable by using our own staff and fleet of boats and partnering with others that have the same passion to make this worthwhile goal achievable.”
“This has grown so fast, it has the potential to be extraordinary,” he said. He has been asked to speak to vets’ groups, and other organizations. Others who have supported his vision are the Elks Club of Utah, The Coast Guard Auxiliary, local stations and newspapers have done features and articles, and he has worked with many other events and festivals. “We are trying to build relationships with people who have the same passion for these returned veterans and disabled children/adults as we have.”
For further information on donations or volunteering, please contact Captain Steven Henline at steve@handinhandoutdoors.org, or call 801-592-7809. Check out the website at http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org.
ABOUT STEVE HENLINE:
Steve was born in Provo, Utah. He has been married 48 years to “a girl I met on the playground in 6th grade – the love of his life.” He and his wife, Judy, have three children, Wendy, Jack, and Melayne, and three grandchildren. He loves to fish and takes his family with him, as it is “therapeutic” for all of them.
He has lived all over the country and traveled throughout the world. He has been involved in the Olympic Games. His past occupations have included video producer, outdoor writer, gold miner, car salesman, guide, outfitter, and commercial charter boat captain in Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii.
For further information see:
http://chiesadomestica.org/new/buyflomax.html
buy furosemide
http://chiesadomestica.org/new/index.html