Editor Correspondence for August 2nd
In a remarkable display of endurance and resilience, father and son duo Tim and Harrison Crockett have completed a nearly 2,400-mile ocean rowing journey from San Francisco to Hawaii. The journey, dubbed "Tame the Kraken," was part of a campaign to raise awareness and funds for veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries through their new initiative, "Row to Recovery."
The Crocketts' voyage, which took nearly 60 miles per day over a 47-day stretch, ended in Hilo Bay on July 20, marking the successful completion of their record-setting journey that started at San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. The rowboat used by the Crocketts, a specially designed 16-foot long vessel named The Kraken, symbolised the challenges they faced, mirroring the endurance and resilience needed by veterans battling PTSD.
Tim Crockett, an experienced ocean rower and endurance athlete, served as a Royal Marine Commando during the first Gulf War. His son, Harrison, is a keen rower and athlete, following in his father's footsteps. The duo used their personal feat to inspire and fundraise for veterans' mental health, stressing the importance of awareness and support systems.
PTSD, a significant mental health condition affecting veterans, is characterised by anxiety, flashbacks, and severe psychological distress caused by traumatic experiences during military service. The Crocketts' campaign aims to support veterans coping with these issues by funding recovery programs, bringing visibility to the mental health struggles veterans encounter.
James Nelson Barker, the author of this article, is a sensitised Indochina War survivor who understands the challenges of endurance events, having completed multiple marathons and Kona Ironmans. Barker emphasises the importance of the Crocketts' campaign, stating that it serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges veterans face and the need for support.
The game "Monopoly" serves as an analogy for wealth distribution. When no one has a monopoly, the game can continue indefinitely without anyone going bankrupt. However, the accumulation of money tends to concentrate in a few hands, exacerbated by greater tax breaks for the wealthy. It is essential to remember that there is more than enough money to meet everyone's basic needs, and when wealth is distributed evenly, no one has a major advantage.
The Crocketts' "Row to Recovery" initiative channels the exposure and momentum from their record-setting voyage to bring attention and resources to these critical veteran issues. The campaign specifically targets mental health issues among veterans, highlighting the challenges such as PTSD that many veterans face after service.
PTSD is often associated with the Vietnam War, but it has been defined as "long-term and complex," affecting veterans from all conflicts. The Crocketts' campaign aims to support veterans coping with these issues by funding recovery programs, as the journey and public attention bring visibility to the mental health struggles veterans encounter.
Russell Button, the author of this article, is located in Pahoa. Button's article serves as a call to action, urging readers to support the Crocketts' campaign and the vital work it is doing to support veterans' mental health. The final leg of the journey was challenging due to strong crosscurrents, adding several hours to the projected finish time. Despite this, the Crocketts persevered, demonstrating the endurance and resilience needed to confront difficulties akin to those faced by veterans battling PTSD.
In conclusion, Tim Crockett’s ocean rowing journey is part of a broader veterans’ awareness and support campaign focused mainly on PTSD and traumatic brain injury recovery. The Crocketts' "Row to Recovery" initiative channels the exposure and momentum from their record-setting voyage to bring attention and resources to these critical veteran issues.
Science, in the context of the Crocketts' journey, refers to the design of their rowboat, The Kraken, which was a specialized vessel tailored to withstand the challenges of their 2,400-mile ocean rowing expedition.
Health-and-wellness, mental-health, and sports intersect in the Crocketts' initiative, "Row to Recovery". This campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for veterans suffering from physical injuries, as well as mental health conditions like PTSD, by leveraging the inspiration drawn from the duo's personal feat and endurance sports.
