COLLECTIVELY HAVE
215-years of living | 82-years of Active Duty Military Service |
a singular sense of Duty, Honor, and Commitment
215-years of living | 82-years of Active Duty Military Service |
a singular sense of Duty, Honor, and Commitment
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ROY EMERSON (Our Skipper)
Pittstown, NJ | 57-years old Major, U.S. Army (retired) | 31-years service FAMILY | Wife, Mia | 2 Children | 2 Grandchildren | Henry Hissinger the Cat RANGER | 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS | Panama | Afghanistan | Iraq FOND OF: jumping out of perfectly sound aircraft | kayaking | mountaineering | scuba | family (mostly) | his ranger community | The Phillies | a good hoagie | Chickie's and Pete's Crabby Fries NOT SO FOND OF: 12-mile road marches in summer...in southern GA | duck | lima beans (if you know, you know) WHY HE IS ROWING: Roy had heard the disheartening statement '22 a day' often. The statement was referencing the number of veteran suicides happening in this country each day. While attending a summit with fellow rangers, the 'real' numbers were revealed to be double that '22' and something clicked in him. Roy became determined to be part of the movement to help shift the paradigm by raising awareness and money to allow aligned programs and charities to reach more veterans in need hopefully decreasing those numbers drastically. |
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CHRIS KUNTZ (The Coach- Been There, Done That, TWAC 2018)
Park County, WY | 56-years old Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army | 10-years service FAMILY | Wife, Mitsue (Suzie) | 2 Children RANGER | 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment SPECIAL FORCES | 1st Special Forces Group COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS | Panama DEFENSE CONTRACTOR | Iraq | Afghanistan | Dubai FOND OF: taking his harley in and around the mountain west | annoying his children | his two dogs | the ohio state buckeyes | an ice-cold beer | refurbishing his 1979 ford bronco NOT SO FOND OF: airports | his 6.0l power-stroke diesel breaking down on a -4 degree Montana night WHY HE IS ROWING: Chris, like so many other veterans, was well aware of the '22 a day' veteran suicide epidemic. being a patient in the VA system since 2000, Chris and an additional three veterans got together in 2018 and decided to row the Atlantic, in what was then called the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. a 3,000 mile row from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. this was completed to provide inspiration & awareness to this cause. it started the fire. Chris was contacted and asked if he would like to take his experience and row the pacific in the World's Toughest Row 2025, and without hesitation, he said yes. |
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JERE HARTMAN (Fitness and Well-being Advisor)
CHATTANOOGA TN | 48-YEARS OLD Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army (retired) | 20-years service FAMILY | Parents, Nancy & Larry | Sister, Lisa | Cooper the Dog RANGER | 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS: IRAQ FOND OF coaching crossfit | woodworking | fly fishing | my amazing parents | his ranger community | the mountains | Clumpie’s ice cream | a table covered in blue crabs NOT SO FOND OF sand gnats | seriously sand gnats | word documents | bad knees WHY HE IS RACING To help spread the word about mental health in the veteran community. I have had more friends than i would like to count lose their battle to suicide. A mentor and friend Ryan Dillingham told me “it's ok to get help”. After hearing those words i realized so many veterans are afraid to seek the help they need to overcome their demons. I want to show others who might be broken on the inside that they are fixable and it’s okay to ask for help. That is why i am rowing. |
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MICHAEL KENDALL (External Relations and Networking Genius)
CLARKSVILLE, TN | 54-years old Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (retired) | 21-years service FAMILY | Wife, Summer | 3 children | 2 grandchildren RANGER | 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment SPECIAL FORCES | 10th Special Forces Group COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS | Kuwait | Bosnia | Kosovo | Europe | Afghanistan FOND OF: traveling & experiencing unique cultures & cuisines with his wife | outdoor adventures with my dogs | kayaking | hiking | diving | gardening & canning his own pickles | making both wine & beer | bad dad jokes. NOT SO FOND OF: cheese | anything requiring him to be in cold water | complainers | cheap beer WHY HE IS RACING: Michael has always enjoyed a challenge, and when asked to take on this endeavor with three former fellow 1/75 Rangers to raise money for mental health and awareness, he could not resist the opportunity. Although he has always loved kayaking and boating, he is very aware this undertaking of rowing the Pacific will be like no other he has ever attempted. He is grateful for the full support of his wife, three children and two grandchildren; even if they all might think he’s a little bit crazy. |