About a dozen disabled veterans kayaked ashore at Trunk Bay early in November. Some were without legs, some without arms, but all of them had strong spirits.
They arrived due to the efforts and support of Team River Runner, a number of Virgin Island agencies and several St. John businesses. The visit included 11 veterans and their families.
Team River Runner, established by kayakers in the Washington, DC area, was established to help military wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan who were recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Joe Mornini, the founder, said the group helps the veterans heal mentally as well as physically by undertaking challenging activities and travel. Other excursions have included blind veterans rafting and kayaking in the Grand Canyon.
The group came to St. John last December, too. This is a link to a video from that trip: http://www.teamriverrunner.org/?q=node/163.
St. John businesses which supported the Team River Runner visit included Cinnamon Bay Watersports, Crabby's Watersports (Coral Bay), Skinny Legs, and Cinnamon Bay Campground.
The best of the best in the USofA. Heads and shoulders above all others.
We also saw some of the vets kayaking at Cinnamon while we were there. It was truly inspiring to see their spirit & zest for life. Having never kayaked before & wanting to, they gave me the courage to try something I’ve never done before & it was a blast. My highest admiration to these & all our service men & women of this great country!!