Tyler Crane, like most people, would agree that being out on the water brings a person a sense of calm. It's something he came to appreciate truly first-hand after returning home from Baghdad. The feeling led him to create Veteran Excursions Going To Sea.
"It just helps you relax. It helps you decompress. You get out on the water, you just listen to the wind whistling by", he told Four In Your Corner.
The organization provides therapy for veterans through fishing. Crane and his partner Max Mefford plan the fishing retreats free of charge. Their only request is that those who participate "reel in" some memories.
"The waves splashing on your boat, and that's all you gotta worry about. You don't gotta worry abut anything else going on in your life."
Crane spent Sunday morning filming a commercial for Evan Williams Bourbon. The company gave him a grant of $10,000 to help him continue his work. The recognition came after his friend and partner, Max Mefford nominated him. Mefford says that there's no one he can think of whom is more deserving.
"Just an amazing person, he's my best friend," he said.
While the commercial was being filmed on the beach near Charlotte Harbor. Mefford teamed up with Crane when he asked for help after the fishing retreats started to expand. Its a mission that has become as significant to him as it is to his partner.
"I honestly think there's not anything in the world that could keep us from getting vets out on the water."
