This local veteran can’t walk so he fishes from a kayak. PHOTO PROVIDED

“We started out as a little fishing group with 4 people and two people dropped out, one person couldn’t walk and so then I was left with one person. He and I decided to go out and recruit new members and boaters to take us out fishing and it grew from there,” Breaux said.

The plan for the group, Breaux explained, was to get disabled veterans out of their homes, where they might be alone ruminating over the wounds of war. Various disabilities often lead to suicide — statistically 22 each day for veterans, he said, and they are working hard to eliminate the figure to whatever extent possible.

“The way we do that is by providing fishing trips, and experiences, such as kayaking, fly tying and custom rod building. This is designed to assist the participants in dealing with the effects of PTSD, traumatic brain injury and other disabilities and wounds of war. Not only am I helping to heal my brothers, but I’m healing myself at the same time,” Breaux said.

Currently, the group has no World War II veterans, said Breaux, reporting that most of the vets in this group are healing from having served in Vietnam, as he did, or the Gulf War. Breaux is able to find joy, he said, in getting out of the house with his brothers, as often he battles his own feelings of post-war depression or anxiety.

Eugene Breaux stirring the pot at a recent crawfish boil for the veterans group. PHOTO PROVIDED

“I get out there with them on the water — many of them have never fished before, or are just rusty. Teaching them how to catch fish and seeing the joy of them catching a nice big trout or redfish, well, it just gives us all joy. Even the captains that bring them out, and the boaters, the other fellows in the group — it’s a fellowship with a lot of camaraderie,” Breaux said.

He went on to say that he’s been made aware of studies which have shown water activities help in reducing the amount of stress often caused by various post-war disorders, making this organization a good fit for those who are still suffering.

“Being out on the water is extremely healing. The exercise that you get when fishing and boating is excellent. When the boat rocks and moves, they have to move with it, so it helps their bones and their muscles. It’s healing and tranquilizing in many ways. It’s exciting too, because when they catch a big fish, we get to bring some home and cook the fish and it’s a joy,” Breaux said.

Fishing Warriors Greater Pine Island, which covers Pine Island, Matlacha, and part of Cape Coral, currently has approximately 118 veterans who are either interested in the group or in volunteering, with 70 members, of which, 40 are active, Breaux said.

The organization is 100 percent community supported and also a member of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, he said.

“There are many businesses in Pine Island, Matlacha and Cape Coral who are supporting us and it’s tough because there are a lot of tools that we need for things we teach, like rod building and fly-tying and we don’t have enough equipment to do it. We need volunteers to come to our meetings and help feed the veterans, because we have a meal for them at every event. We need people to take them out fishing — even if people have a dock where people can catch a lot of fish from, we can take them out there,” Breaux said.

For information on how to join or volunteer for Fishing Warriors Greater Pine Island, call Breaux 305-582-4978

The group’s meetings and events are held at First Baptist Church, 3417 Eighth Ave., St. James City, FL, 33956