Vets trans-Atlantic row team send off

For the second consecutive year Mobile Bay, Ala., served as training for a crew of military veterans – the Fight Oar Die - team is preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean. Mobile and its mayor, Sandy Stimpson, showed its enthusiasm at an event at the GulfQuest maritime museum Aug. 28. Bryant Knight, an Army veteran from Mobile who rowed for last year’s team became the first team composed entirely of U.S. military veterans who completed the 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge rowboat race from the Canary Islands to Antigua & Barbuda – now serves as board president of the non-profit behind the team with the focus on its mission of helping veterans. As he adapted to civilian life after a 22-year military career, he became distressed by issues facing fellow veterans. Suicide was epidemic, and post-traumatic stress was a blight on the lives of thousands of men and women who’d served. Knight has family and friends at the Mobile, Buccaneer Yacht, which became home to the team last summer. Last year’s accomplishment helped raise money for programs that help veterans, it also was intended to directly inspire those struggling with readjustment to civilian life. “What we are trying to say is … every person has their own ocean to cross,” he said. For 2019, four new vets will man the oars.(Source: AL.com 08/28/19) https://www.al.com/life/2019/08/veterans-trans-atlantic-rowing-team-gets-big-send-off-from-mobile.html