Mark served in the United States Air Force for ten years, starting out as an aircraft mechanic. He loved his job but was looking for more challenges, so he switched to air traffic control for the remainder of his time in service. During a deployment in Kuwait, he sustained injuries resulting in his right leg needing to be amputated above the knee. He went into a deep depression and lost all hope and was very inactive. 

Eventually, he found outdoor therapy programs like No Barriers and regained purpose and meaning in his life. Now he is the Founder and Executive Director of Outdoor Salute to Veterans. There are 22 veterans that commit suicide every day and OSTV strives to reduce these numbers by taking disabled veterans on outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, rafting, rock climbing, and camping.   

Mark has also been married to his wife for 34 years and has three wonderful and successful children and five beautiful grandchildren.

Special thanks to CoBank for sponsoring today's episode in a series highlighting Veterans. 

Resources:

Outdoor Salute to Veterans: https://outdoorsalutetoveterans.com/