Gliders help wounded warriors, families heal

A group of local military veterans coping with physical and emotional pain spent the weekend learning how gliders can help with recovery.

For the second year, the Soaring Eagle and Wounded Warrior foundations organized an introduction to gliders for 10 veterans at the Meadowlake Airport in Falcon.

On Sunday, only three of the 10 veterans returned with the intent of continuing to learn and try to qualify as solo pilots.

“It’s not for everyone,” said Keith Marlow, a retired Army sergeant. “But there are other activities that can be better suited to them. I’ve been in the program two years. I have knee and back injuries. The gliders keep me from becoming an introvert.”

Chuck Danley, an Air Force veteran, explained further.

“Gliders are right in line with a lot of things we’re trained to do in the military,” Danley said. “It helps us feel like we have a purpose and are part of the community again.”

Piloting gliders also is good therapy for couples and families, as it strengthened the marriage of Stephen DeJong, Jr., an Army veteran, and Christina King, his wife.

“His post-traumatic stress disorder was getting bad and I didn’t know how to help him,” King said. “The gliders help me to help him. Now, he gets out of the house and I’ve seen him relax for the first time in months.”

DeJong said his experience with gliders is amazing.

“They clear my mind and get me away from an unnatural comfort zone,” he said. “They help me cope with losing my mother to suicide in March. My message to other soldiers is to take that step and try it. I promise you that it will help.”

Donations allow veterans to participate in the program at no charge.

For more information, visit: http://soaringeaglefoundationusa.org