WAIKIKI, Hawaiʻi (KHON2) — On a day with blue skies and clear water, Wounded Warrior Ohana, a Hawaiʻi nonprofit also referred to as WWO, held its 4th annual MG Frank Tate Memorial Paddle and Lunch at the Honolulu Elks Lodge 616 club.
One hundred wounded warriors and their families were invited to a therapeutic outrigger canoe paddle and picnic lunch on Sunday.
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“By having these veterans come out who are wounded or have PTSD or other things that resulted from their service is fantastic because when we get them out on the water and get them in the canoe, they enjoy the day so much. People come back uplifted and happy,” said Jim Bauckham, chairman for Kumulokahi Canoe Club.
Bauckham said 35 volunteers assisted with the canoe rides.
“One of the missions of the Elks is to take care of veterans and help them in any way we can,” he said.
Dick Rankin, president of WWO, shared that the nonprofit holds monthly events for wounded warriors, Gold Star families and formerly houseless veterans. But the annual paddle is his favorite event…