When we first asked William Ragulsky if he would write something
for this blog, we explained that what he wrote was of his choosing as long as
it related to HOW and the veterans that we serve. We think that his words
tell an interesting story starting as a young child, through serving in the Marine
Corps, to today.
Each of us have a story to tell, and William’s story is one that
we didn’t realize in its entirety. We are happy that he chose to share it with
us and to not only highlight the potential of what all of the volunteers of
Heroes on the Water try to bring to those that have served our country, but the
benefits of getting outdoors and enjoying life.
William is the 2012 president of Tidewater Kayak Anglers
Association, on the Pro Staff of Hurricane Kayaks, and a volunteer with the
Tidewater Chapter of Heroes on the Water. He is an accomplished
fisherman either on his kayak or wading and slinging bugs with his fly rod. You can follow the accounts of his fishing at Coastal
Kayak Fishing.
Originally from Colorado, William now resides in the Tidewater area of Virginia
and can be found in his kayak fishing both salt and fresh waters along the east
coast.
William's story...
History of one volunteer
I have been in the outdoors
since before I could remember. Many of the values I have today came from
fishing and hunting with my family. My passion for the water came when my
dad brought home our first canoe. From there, I learned that a kayak
would not only get me on the water, but it would also allow me to fish the way
I wanted to fish. It gave me a sense of freedom! Besides the
outdoors, my family lineage is steeped in military and public service.
From an early age, I was sure that I would become a cop, and avoid the
military. For me though, the opposite became true when I enlisted in the
Marine Corps. The Corps provided me with a number of different
opportunities that I most likely would not have had staying at home, or going
off to university. The most valuable things I took were certain intangibles
that I needed at my age. Honor, Courage, Commitment quickly became my
core values, as well as a feeling of pride, self-respect, and structure that I
desperately needed. From my experience, I traveled the globe, and have
many experiences that will always be truly unique to me. Unfortunately
one of the most common experiences I shared came from a combat tour in the wild
western providence of Al Anbar in Iraq. From there, my values and beliefs
were tested on a daily basis. From IED’s and Mines, poverty and sadness
of the people I believed I was there to help, death of brothers in arms, and
having to choose your life or the life of another human being, the person who I
am today was tested and formed by that time in my life. When I came back,
I was lucky enough to have a family structure that I previously
described. Far from military installations, I had to fight through the
pain with only the support of others and the great outdoors. Thankfully
for me, that was what worked.
Present day
I have been lucky enough to
hold a staff position at a military medical treatment facility where I have
been able to get back into the sport that I love, and share that with
others. I also see and speak to my fellow Marines, unfortunately they are
in my environment, not the environment that is native to a U.S. Marine.
Knowing both sides of the fence, as well as having a passion for kayak angling,
I decided to get involve with HOW a few years ago. At first, it was
support on the shore, running to grab lunch for the group, rigging rods, and
helping guys launch and recover. The thought of not fishing did not run
through my mind once that day. My whole focus was on providing support to
my brothers and seeing the enjoyment and relaxation resonate throughout their torn
bodies and minds.
My next trip was as an on the
water volunteer. This experience was just as rewarding as the
first. I was able to share my passion, but unable to get the overall view
that I previously had. We had a great day and even hooked up on some
specks and reds! The progression continued, where I have been able to
speak to the same men that we have got on the water, off the water back at the
hospital. On the smoke deck, I would normally hear how unhappy they are
being at the hospital but the mood has changed. Now it goes to kayaking,
fishing, and the outdoors. Their moods brighten and even if for a brief
minute, their minds are back on the water. Smoking and joking with the
Marines reminds me of the time I spent in, and how my family helped me
recover.
Now, I get the most enjoyment
seeing them in the same state as they were prior to their injury or
illness. Even if it for a day, it is a start to the rehabilitation and
recovery they most definitely deserve. When working in conjunction with
proper medical and mental health care, HOW can make a lasting difference in the
lives of everyone involved.
To bring it all full circle, my
history is important in this context because many of the veterans and active
duty service members that your time goes to come from similar
backgrounds. They may have experienced things that you would never hope
to see, and do things that question who they are in order to keep you and me
safe. These are the men and women that allow me to sleep at night, launch
my kayak when they are serving our country at home or abroad, or even worse,
lying in a hospital bed. If you feel like giving something back to these
fine citizens, then contact your local HOW Chapter or go to www.Heroesonthewater.org to
find out other ways to help.
