‘Comrades and Canopies’ Helps Veterans with PTSD

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — June is PTSD Awareness Month, and one thing that’s been helping Kern veterans with their PTSD is jumping out of an airplane.

Sounds strange to the average person, however for this group of veterans, it means the absolute world to them.

Comrades and Canopies is the organization jumping into action, taking veterans of all ages skydiving.

When they say all ages, they really mean all ages. One skydiver continues to skydive at 94 years-old.

“We’ve had veterans come out here that are dealing with some pretty serious issues. Post traumatic stress related, substance abuse related, and they leave here just completely reinvigorated. We’ve had family members, wives, mothers, fathers tell us ‘man, since his jump, he has been a whole different person’,” Founder of Comrades and Canopies Chad Garcia said.

“I was a medic in special ops for most of my career, flying on all different airframes. Never had to jump out of one, I’ve always landed! … it should be on everybody’s bucket list. That is for sure,” Master Sergeant in the USAF Ed Ross said.

Veterans are used to a very intense lifestyle.

When they retire, some have a hard time not having the brotherhood they had through the armed forces.

The adrenaline of skydiving can bring some of that lifestyle back.

“Awesome, awesome. Very relaxing for me. I like the comradery of all the people in here, when we’re on the plane everybody jokes it up… it gives them a rest, a peace of mind. Now they’re hanging around people that are kinda like them and everybody picks that up right away. A lot of comradery, friendship, it’s just fun!” Marine Corps Veteran, Dave Ross said.

After Skydive Taft closed, Skydive San Joaquin Valley welcomed Comrades and Canopies with open arms, and open plane doors.

“It’s a good program, it really helps people with a lot of problems. You noticed, you went up on the airplane. You kinda stop focusing on what you’re thinking about, and you just enjoy the ride, and that’s kinda what skydiving is all about,” Skydive San Joaquin Valley Owner George Kunz said.

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