Author: admin12

Following a life-long interest and passion for the military I enlisted in the Army in April 2009, at the age of 19. I completed my basic training and infantry school at Fort Benning, GA, which was proceeded by airborne school.

Once my training was complete, I was station at K-16 airbase in South Korea for a year. While in Korea, I served with both American and KATUSA (Korean Augmentee To the U.S. Army) soldiers in which we trained, and guarded a high valued military installation. From there, I was stationed at Fort Drum, New York with the 10^th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).

In the spring of 2011, I deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan; there I was part of a team that regularly conducted dismount (foot) patrols with the objectives of engaging Taliban forces, building rapport with the locals, and stabilizing the area of threats through security, local villager’s trust & support, and clearing IEDs (improvised explosive device).

On June 6^th, 2011, while returning to base from a patrol, I stepped on an IED that took both of my legs above the knee, and inflicted a variety of other injuries including: TBI, fractured pelvis, shattered elbow, and shrapnel inflicted wounds. I was stabilized, and ultimately underwent my major surgeries, and roughly 1 ½ years of physical rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center, TX (now San Antonio Military Medical Center).

During the rehab process, I re-learned to walk with the use of prosthetic legs, and regained complete mobility and function. In 2013, I was medically retired from the Army, and have since pursued a Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University, and worked as an independent web developer.

Sea Inspiration Experience

Sea Inspiration provided me with one of the most inspiring, and truly unforgettable experiences. Words fall flat when trying to articulate what Sea Inspiration gave me; I can mentally catalog and echo all the events that I was given to take part in, but that fails to bring to light the people coupled with each activity who made it all such as a remarkable time for me.

I got to go snorkeling with [Founder] Ray Hollowell aboard the Dolphins & You tour, and swim amongst the sea life—dolphins, turtles, fish, and more!

In addition, I was given access to Ray’s decades of experiences, and laugh along with him has he shared stories from his past.

I was given private surfing lesson—an activity I’ve never before tried on prosthetic devices—with Hawaii’s friendliest and most supportive instructors from Access Surf.

And, a deeply embossed memory comes from not just spending time with, but skydiving alongside a personal hero of mine, Col. John Bates (USMC Ret.).

Sea Inspiration has managed to bundle the most awe-inspiring place, activities, and people into one life-changing adventure.

If you are inspired by Ian’s story, please consider giving another wonderful US military member/veteran a special Healing Adventure by donating today!

On November 20, 2016, Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris, U.S. Army (Retired) and his sweetheart and partner, Jamie PK, visited Oahu, Hawaii and the Sea Inspiration Team at the urging of our US Military Spokesman, Colonel John R. Bates, USMC (Retired). Col. Bates and Shilo have been “crossing paths” for many years. Shilo has taken the challenge to sky dive with Col. Bates over the years. So, it was no surprise that Shilo was game for all the new challenging Healing Adventures that Sea Inspiration and Hawaii have to offer.

1^st Challenge: Scuba Diving in the Ocean

Once again, our incredible partners were with us as we planned and executed what we hoped would be a chance for peaceful respite “and possibly a Life Changing Experience.” Shilo and Jamie had scuba dived in the Texas Gulf in the past but found scuba diving in the tropical waters of Waikiki quite a phenomenal experience. An encounter with a friendly Hawaiian octopus topped off their fun.

In more than 20 years of living on the island, Sea Inspiration’s Founder Ray Hollowell had never seen the south shore visibility more pristine! How do we thank Mother Nature of Hawaii for this? Oh yes! Keep her beaches clean, and never throw garbage over the side when boating.

2^nd Challenge: Surfing

Shilo and Jamie took the surfing instruction class with one of our great Healing Adventure partners Sean and Chelsea from Ohana Surf Project.

In addition to the Ohana Surf Project team, our partner with Make-A-Wish Hawaii, James Donnelly, showed up to help and brought along his new friend, Sergeant Tommy Counihan, U.S. Army (Retired).

Witnessing these two brave wounded U.S. Service Members meet, and then watching Tommy join in and teach Shilo to challenge himself in yet another new way, was profoundly moving.

Shilo and Jamie were “game on” to try the new sport of surfing and came out of their adventure with a great appreciation of the athletes who master the sport. Sea Inspiration Advisory Board Member “Snorkel Sam” Monaghan was filming from the water as Shilo caught a wave and a rainbow showed up in the backdrop! Our healing adventure was blessed with beauty upon beauty. “Only in Hawaii”!

More Fun: Food and Friends

We invited Shilo and Jamie to join us at the Waikiki Rotary for lunch and we introduced them to even more new friends. Shilo and Jamie shared some of their challenges as both a wounded service member and caregiver (respectively). Hearing what they go through moved our hearts greatly and gave us renewed vigor to expand opportunities to combat-wounded U.S. military service members in our Healing Adventure experiences.

Special thanks to our Sea Inspiration partners who made Shilo and Jamie’s Hawaiian adventure possible: Waikiki Dive Center owned by brothers Nick and Chris Fidelibus; Ohana Surf Project owner Sean Anderson and General Manager Chelsea Lewis; Dave Livingston from Ameriprise Financial and certified SCUBA Instructor; James Donnelly, Director of New Developments at Make A Wish Hawaii; combat-wounded veteran, Tommy Counihan, U.S. Army (Ret.) from Access Surf; Cully Kamisugi and Sam Monaghan for their excellent video and photo skills to document the surf adventure!

Ellie was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of two. She was introduced to Kama the Surfing Pig on YouTube.

While in treatment she would absorb herself in watching Kama’s adventures with Dad, “Kai” Holt. After a year of treatment, at the age of three, the doctors deemed her medically able for travel. Her dream was to watch Kama surf, so her parents, sisters and brother set out on a joyful celebration journey to the island of Oahu, Hawaii to meet Kama and to visit a beach for the first time. After months of planning and contact with Kai, the family was on heading to Hawaii in September of 2016.

Kama’s Dad, Kai contacted the Sea Inspiration team to partner up, and we along with a host of supporters, friends and partners came out to help support and film Ellie’s dream.

Ellie and her family brought purple grapes to share with Kama. She carefully lined several out onto Kai’s surfboard and waited for Kama to come out to meet her. He was busy looking for food in the bushes when she arrived.

Shy at first, Ellie quickly warmed up and, in no time, was holding onto Kai’s hand and petting her new friend Kama.

The whole family joined in the fun and had a great time playing in the sand and learning to surf. Ellie did exactly what she wanted to do… watch Kama surf!

In fact, the family was so happy about this exciting day that Ellie’s mom wrote us a heartfelt thank-you letter – please read below and check out the cute pictures of Ellie (who her mother calls by her full name Eloise).

We, at Sea Inspiration, are very thankful to be able to be part of making a wonderful child’s wishes come true! Hawaii’s beautiful scenery and weather make it the perfect place to host these positive experiences and give these special young people a memory they will never forget; one that will give them peace and happiness each time they think of it!

In the Spring of 2012, I was contacted by Team X-treme asking if I would camera fly (video) triple amputee, Corporal Todd Love, as he performed a tandem skydive over the ocean to kick-off the start of the X-Terra Games, at Kualoa Ranch on the North Shore of Oahua, Hawaii. Todd lost both legs at the crotch and his left arm at the elbow in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. But, he wanted to skydive. The days preceding the jump, I got to know Todd well. He always looked for the “ability”, not the “disability.” 

The Easterly tradewinds were strong but steady, so we exited the aircraft from 12,000’—almost a mile out over the water. Few people see the North Shore from that perspective.

The jump went very well. On time; on target. Pictured below is Todd (bottom) and skydiving with him is Mike Elliot (top).

Filming a professional documentary of the jump at the target site was Ray Hollowell. I had never met Ray, but I was immediately impressed with the professionalism, care, concern and enthusiasm he had for Todd Love. I also found out that he led Sea Inspiration, a non-profit that linked our wounded warriors, disabled citizens, and our school children to our oceans. Salt water heals. Sea Inspiration teaches all of us to be good stewards of our precious resource.  

Sea Inspiration has provided healing ocean adventures to Todd Love, double amputee’s Brian Kolfage and Ian Parkinson, horrifically burned from IED explosion Shilo Harris, Traumatic Brain Injured service members—and the list of those now connected just goes on and on. From skydiving to swimming with the dolphins and sea turtles, the healing process continues. Surfing without legs can certainly be challenging, but Sea Inspiration knows how to link those who can teach it to those who want to do it. The smiling and joy-filled faces at the end of the day show the success of the program.

Sony Classic 2017

In January of 2017, Sea Inspiration was asked to document a skydive by the “Flying Leatherneck’s Skydiving” group to start the SONY Open professional golf classic. SONY, Wounded Warriors Organization, and Sea Inspiration worked together to allow a number of wounded warriors to learn golf techniques from the professional golfers of the SONY Open.

Sea Inspiration was conceived as a local interest program but has now grown to international scale with their connection with US Army Channel. As Seen in military bases throughout the world, military personnel and their families have viewed incredible video of how we have too often polluted our waters and why it is so critically important that we take care of our marine environment.

Now retired, everything I do is as a volunteer. I’m impressed daily with Sea Inspiration. I like their mission. I like not only what they do, but also for whom they serve. I now serve as an volunteer advisor for them, and receive personal reward in knowing they are helping us take care of the magnificent resources God has given us.

…and Todd Love who was mentioned at the first of this article? Well, he has gone on to learn to skydive by himself. He now has more than a hundred and twenty skydives in his log book. Thanks, Sea Inspiration! You do good work.

Sea Inspiration was honored to be a part of the first annual Ocean Aid Music Festival.

Love the Sea organized this effort and brought of their partners together—and Sea Inspiration is one of them!—to bring another voice in the worldwide effort to spotlight awareness on the dangers of plastic pollution in our oceans.

Bill Wyland, a very supportive Sea Inspiration Advisory Board member, was instrumental in forming the Love the Sea organization and the efforts to bring this exciting event to fruition.

We were able to extend invitations to several of our partners to share the generous booth space that Bill secured for Sea Inspiration: Ocean Defenders Alliance from California; The Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary; Aqua Kids TV; Imagines by Cully; and Ohana Surf Project.

We met children and adults who were very interested in our efforts of marine environmental education as well as our ocean-inspired adventures with children and U.S. Military members and their families.

We were delighted with the great response of potential volunteers and the interest in receiving newsletters regarding Sea Inspiration and our future efforts.

Speaking of staying in touch, please sign-up now for our enews!

The Sea Inspiration team received an invitation for Ray and Patti to attend an event at Fisher House to help host and film a very special visitor.

Gary Sinese was in town with his Lieutenant Dan Band to entertain our troops at Hickam Air Force Base. He took a few hours out of his busy schedule to visit Tripler Fisher Houses for the first time. Gary is an avid supporter of Fisher Houses and has served on the national board of directors.

The Fisher House managers, residents, and volunteers came together to host a very special luncheon with homemade local cuisine and much Aloha.

In what was a very private and intimate setting, Gary spent time with each of the residents and their families for pictures and heartfelt conversation about their medical challenges and struggles.

Ray put together a very nice video of the event for Fisher House Manager Anita Clingerman to share with the residents and all the Fisher Houses worldwide.

Sea Inspiration, as always, is honored to be in support of Fisher House.

Please visit our Healing Adventures page to learn about other ways we support the military.

The Drowning Dolphin Rescue is my favorite My Beach Report.

It was a miraculous day on the ocean with Mick O’Brien, the owner and captain of Kanaloa Fishing Charters based in Haleiwa Harbor. Mick is a retired North Shore Lifeguard, the father of pro surfing legend, Jamie O’Brien, and has been good friends with the Sea Inspiration team for more than 20 years.

We were on a mission to film sharks and other pelagic species that hang out in the deep blue a few miles offshore. As fate would have it, we were in the right spot at the right time and able to help one of Mother Ocean’s kids that was in a life threatening situation!

Mick motored near one of the crab trap buoys to check for bait fish and noticed what first appeared to be a Hawaiian Monk Seal hanging on the buoy. I took my video camera, zoomed in on the buoy and saw what appeared to be a large bottlenose dolphin that wasn’t moving!

We sped in to action and that’s when it was confirmed, the animal’s tail had become entangled in the crab trap buoy line!

When we got to the buoy, our Sea Inspiration Advisory Board Member Snorkel Sam Monaghan grabbed a knife, quickly jumped in the water, and swam over to the entangled dolphin. The animal was in extreme duress and after a couple of minutes of diving under the buoy and dolphin, Snorkel Sam managed to free its tail!

Sam placed his hand on the stomach of the dolphin and felt its heart beat. He then helped it get stabilized and the dolphin’s eye seemed to clear, it gave a couple of loud squeaks as if to say “Thank You!” and then swam off. It was one of the most touching and amazing things I’ve seen in my lifetime in and around the ocean!

One of our favorite My Beach Report reporters Kai Wilding appears in the video as our expedition guide and narrator. Thanks, Kai – great job!