Casting a Lifeline for Veterans

Guyton Man Helps Fellow Disabled Vets Calm Turbulent Waters Through Fishing Group

Story by Stephen Prudhomme Photos by Jami Brannen

Disabled veterans returning home often have difficulty readjusting to civilian life as they battle physical, mental and emotional issues. A number of them, unfortunately, are unable to cope and commit suicide.

One of their own is casting a lifeline through a sport he loves and has helped provide healing in his own life.

Kevin Edwards, 56, is a resident of Guyton who works as a technical specialist and writer in Gulfstream’s Technical Operations Department. He’s also a disabled veteran who served in aviation in the Air Force and as a forward observer and infantryman in the Army National Guard during a 14-year military career. As a result of being an infantryman late in his career, Edwards developed degenerative disc disease and was medically discharged right before he was scheduled for deployment to Kuwait.

Returning home, Edwards struggled to regain a sense of normalcy as he endured debilitating pain from his neck to his legs and went through three surgeries. He found solace in fishing, an avocation he had pursued for much of his life, reveling in the calming effects of being out in nature and on the water in his boat. Catching the big one was a bonus.

Spreading his Net

Earlier this year, Edwards spread his fishing net, so to speak, starting Casting For a Cause Disabled Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit group designed to help disabled veterans and hopefully reduce the number of daily suicides that currently stands at 22.

“I want to promote awareness of the suicide problem among veterans while also providing opportunities for healing, regardless of what their disability may

be,” Edwards said. “Fishing can be an outlet for them, an opportunity to drop their guard, share private conversations and make sure they know we’re an extended service for them.”

Edwards is executive director/CEO and one of seven board members for the organization. His wife, Vicki, is executive assistant and maintains the group’s website. He said Covid has affected them a lot in terms of holding fundraisers. Noting they’ve raised $3,500 this year, Edwards said he’s made up the difference in the annual $13,500 operating costs. Tournament fishing, which requires additional funding, allows disabled veteran members an opportunity to reach the podium and be recognized with top competitors. Any prize money earned covers additional expenses, with the remaining balance split between the competing member and the organization.

“I want to promote awareness of the suicide problem among veterans while also providing opportunities for healing, regardless of what their disability may be.”

For information on membership, volunteering or donations, go to www.castingforacause.net.

“Gulfstream pays me well,” said was the playing of patriotic songs as they of weight off you. It’s very therapeutic. Edwards, who has competed in a number embarked on their fishing trip. It’s like the Christian prayer counseling of tournaments with some of the veterans “We had our own water parade,” said I’m involved with but more fun. It’s also and puts any prize money back into his Russell, who works as a realtor and, like going out to a bar with your buddies, organization. despite his disability status, is able to get minus the drinking.” around and considers himself fortunate Being 100 percent disabled, Finding Camaraderie with a Line compared to some other veterans. “Within membership is free for Oravetz.

The veterans, most of whom are minutes, Ben and I were cutting up and Nevertheless, he gave Edwards $100 disabled and include an Army major who picking up from our days in the Army. toward his trip. lost his leg in Iraq, go out most weekends We even caught some fish. It was a great “There are people in lot worse shape in a boat Edwards bought last year. They experience. Kevin’s a real nice dude.” than I am,” said Oravetz, who plans on fish mostly inshore in saltwater marshes Along with rediscovering a lifelong going on a second trip. “I’m paying it and other waterways between Richmond passion, Russell benefited from the forward with the $100.” Hill and Hilton Head Island. freedom of being out on the water.

“Even if we don’t catch fish, which “From a PTSD standpoint, you put Expanding the Mission is rare, we have a blast,” said Edwards, everything aside and catch your breath,” Edwards said his goal is to have who submitted the application for 501-3C he said. “Just casting a line in the water is three boats, including a pontoon that status in late October following a lengthy therapeutic. It’s just relaxing. It also helps could accommodate wheelchairs, and vetting process. “The camaraderie is support the brothers.” have a disabled veteran run the boats almost like being back in the military.” One of those brothers is Oravetz, and maintain them and raise money for

Edwards’ love of fishing is so great a resident of Estill, S.C. The two men veterans and other groups. Although he’ll go fishing despite Casting For a Cause experiencing shooting consists entirely of pain and numbness in his legs; the organization “I feel a level of responsibility to help veterans at the moment, Edwards said it’s open to recognizes that battles do not always end on the my military brothers and sisters, nonmilitary as well. The annual membership fee battlefield and uses the time fishing to mitigate some of whom struggle to show is $150 for civilians and $75 for veterans. The fee the struggles many of the veterans are experiencing. affection toward their own families. is waived for veterans who are 100 percent The veterans are often battling post-traumatic Fishing is therapeutic for both the disabled. For Edwards, the stress disorder (PTSD). Although he doesn’t have veterans and me.” fishing trips offer a higher purpose as well; PTSD, Edwards faces with his wife having challenges in making the lung issues, they haven’t transition from military attended church during to civilian life in what remains an ongoing were stationed together at Fort Stewart the pandemic. process. and have remained friends for 26 years. “That boat is my church,” said

“We’re conditioned to clear our minds Oravetz retired from the Army on a Edwards, noting the group is connected to for battle and forget family,” Edwards said. medical discharge following a 13-year a number of military chaplains. “It’s my “After many years, it’s hard to bring that career and uses a cane and metal braces ministry. We don’t shove our beliefs down out. I feel a level of responsibility to help on occasion to help him contend with their throats or thump the Bible. It’s my military brothers and sisters, some of back and knee problems. about spending time with God and living whom struggle to show affection toward His outing with Russell was the first a life that drives others to ask the right their own families. Fishing is therapeutic time he had fished in three years. questions. I’m thankful for the Christian for both the veterans and me.” “It was a blast,” said Oravetz, who parents and grandparents who required

Jared Russell has gone on two fishing grew up in the Pacific Northwest and us to read the Bible and learn how to lead trips with Edwards. A resident of Pooler, had fished all his life. “I didn’t always others to Christ.” he retired from the Army in 2016 following catch a keeper. I took home only one As the organization continues to grow a 26-year career and suffers from PTSD fish, a flounder, and gave it to Jared after and gain a foothold in the community, and a degenerative spine condition. filleting it.” Edwards sees an opportunity to expand to Joining him on one of the outings was Even if he didn’t bring in a record other areas across the country. Ben Oravetz, a fellow Army retiree and haul, Oravetz could revel in getting “We will continue our fundraising longtime friend who, like Russell, is 100 together with an old friend and talking efforts and look for the growth required percent disabled. about issues to which they could closely to make that happen,” said Edwards, who

Russell said they fished on the Bull relate. recently connected with the GA Veterans River and around Little Tybee Island for “It takes your mind off everything Outdoor Ministries to expand their six to eight hours; it’s the first time he had and puts you into the moment,” he said. footprint in Georgia. n fished since 1995, after growing up with “You’re out there with guys who have the pastime. Adding to the experience been there and done that. It takes a lot