'Veterans enjoy a challenge': Veterans Climb event provides teamwork opportunity for veterans

 

BRISTOL, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A ropes course in Bristol, Wisconsin, last month allowed a free round of climbing to veterans and their families, but in turned out to be much more than just a night of fun.

Harnessing up and heading out, it's a rush taking some in this crowd back in time, but there's no training involved here on this Kenosha County obstacle course, it's all about having a good time.

"Ropes courses are a lot like deployments to Iraq," said First Army Sgt. James Williams, U.S. Army Recruiting Company.

"It's like you're trying to avoid boobie traps," said Williams.

And just like those days in Iraq,

"Hey you go. I'll follow you. I'll catch up," said Williams.

First Army Sgt Williams isn't doing it alone.

"A lot of challenges, things we've never seen before, haven't done," said Williams.

Willims is here with his daughter Kailyn. She's an eighth grader.

"I gave her the choice today whether she wanted to go first and she said yes dad, I want to lead you through it," said Williams.

Doing it together at this once-a-year veterans climb in Bristol.

"One of the things we all appreciated, that we were big advocates for the military, veterans and all of our protective service," said Brian Funrleyder, Boundless Adventures Owner.

Boundless Adventures Owner Brian Funtleyder's serving our military by providing a space for camaraderie.

"It is important to take care of the veterans because we come back and sometimes, we feel alone," said Williams.

"A lot of guys have been through a lot of hard times and it's really good to get out and actually talk to them and speak to them about things that they've been going through in their past so," said Mike Beall, Army Veteran.

Mike Beall had a ball on the green ropes course, enjoying the company of other army veterans.

"This is like the best thing ever honestly just keeping active," said Mike Beall.

…and watching his eight-year-old son swing through ziplines like a champ, and it's extra fulfilling for Blake Beall who's finally tall enough to join in.

"Now I can do it, it was so fun," said Blake Beall.

Some 200 people participated in the veterans climb. The event was open to the public. Non-military families paid an entry fee. Over $2,000 was raised and donated to Kenosha's American Legion Post 21 where their building, built in the 1930's, needs repair. Funds will also go into a kitty to help others.

"We're all about community service. We're all about helping people. We helped a mom that was out on the streets, a veteran and she had two kids. We put them up in a hotel for a week until we could help find a more permanent home for them," said Matt Christiansen of American Legion Post 21.

Serving others is something that doesn't stop when military life ends because at the end of the line…turned out to be so much more.

"Veterans enjoy a challenge. It's part of military service and one of my greatest elements, certainly my time in the army was going through obstacle courses and pushing ourselves," said Jason Church, Army Veteran.

U.S. Army Veteran Jason Church found a parallel to life in getting through Bristol's obstacles.

"When I was injured in Afghanistan and lost my legs, I had a whole new set of obstacles in front of me and learning how to walk again on prosthetics gave me a greater appreciation for a whole range of obstacles that people have in front of them in life," said Church.

"It's a good way to bond, to overcome obstacles, to heal mentally and physically and getting us together is the best way to do that because once we're done with the military our brotherhood's gone," said Williams.

"Look, the fight sometimes doesn't leave the war zone. Sometimes that struggle's here at home and I think one of the biggest elements of taking care of mental health is going out and being part of the outdoors, engaging in it and doing it in a way that's enjoyable," said Church.