Veterans Rowing Across Atlantic to Raise Money for Military PTSD Relief

Four veterans, each representing a different branch of the military and ranging in age from 49 to 58, departed from La Gomera, Spain, on Dec. 12 to row over 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to Antigua to raise awareness and money to combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veteran suicide.

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The team, named Foar From Home (a play on words combining “four,” far” and “oar”), made a goal to raise $500,000 to support their fellow service members as part of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, a worldwide fundraiser also referred to as the World’s Toughest Row. This year only four U.S.-based teams are participating, each with its own charitable cause.

“We thought this race would be a great way to combine our military experience with a large-scale fundraiser to really make an impact,” said Billy Ciminio, an Army veteran who will turn 57 during the trip.

Prior to their training, the team members had never rowed before. Over an estimated 43 to 50 days they will continuously alternate rowing for two hours and sleeping for two hours while pummeling through waves that may reach up to 20 feet. They have no toilet on board, only a bucket.

Their intensive preparation included medical training such as learning how to connect an IV because they are rowing completely on their own.

Two yachts shadow the fleet of teams with a safety officer who provides advice, support, technical assistance and weather updates. For food, each rower has prepackaged meals based on their caloric needs. The boat's jet boiler heats water to rehydrate their meals.

Foar From Home’s oldest member, Paul Lore, a Marine Corps veteran, commented on the physical demands expected during the journey: “I will turn 59 on this trip, which is wild to think about. Most people who are about to turn 60 probably aren’t thinking about going on a trip where they’ll only sleep for two hours at a time. But hey, the good news is that we’ll each be burning around 5,000 calories a day and skipping holiday meals, so come January, we should be in the best shape of our lives.”