Foar From Home
Press Release
Submitted by Christy LeLait
November 8, 2021
Event: FOAR FROM HOME Community Celebration and Send Off
Date: Saturday, November 20, 2021
Time: 11am-9:30pm
Location: Palace Saloon, 117 Centre St.
On November 20th community members will gather at the Palace Saloon to celebrate our very own Foar from Home Team, Paul Lore, Cameron Hansen, Hupp Huppmann and Billy Cimino as they get ready to depart to the Canary Islands for this amazing row across the Atlantic. There will be local musicians performing throughout the day. Local and state leaders will be speaking as well as team sponsors. The community will hear from veterans about how important it is that we continue to raise awareness about PTSD and veteran suicide. The non-profits that will benefit from this challenge, K9s for Warriors and Cross the Line Foundation will have information tables, and there will be giant cards for everyone to sign their well wishes.
It ‘Takes an Island to Cross an Ocean’ and our island is coming together to wish our guys ‘Fair winds and following seas.’
Paul Lore, one of the Foar from Home team members commented, “For over 2 years we worked on this mission. During this time our island and community of supporters created the most memorable journey of a lifetime that will forever change the lives of others. It truly takes an island of love.”
Team member and local performer Hupp Huppmann added “I think it’s fitting that the power of live music is being used yet again as a vehicle to bring our community together.” He added “I’m honored not only to be part of this mission to help end veteran suicide but also to continue to spread joy locally through the art of live music performance”.
His band The Honey Badgers, a favorite among local fans of classic rock, will perform the last set of the evening marking their final performance together prior to his departure to participate in the transatlantic row.
Cameron Hansen commented, “I have been humbled by the people that we have met along this journey. People who are veterans, people who work with veterans and people that have never served, all taking time to talk to us and hear about our mission, and then to see those conversations take shape in requests to speak to others, or shares on social media. This mission is not just about the four of us, or the veterans that it will help, it is the countless others that have been touched by this and continue to carry it forward, not because they know us or other veterans, but because they now know how tragic the situation is, and they truly want to help, even after the row. It is amazing to see on a daily basis.”
“I am honored to be part of such a wonderful community that has been so generous in supporting the cause of Veteran Suicide awareness and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which plagues so many Veterans across our nation and here in Nassau County. I am very excited to complete our journey across the ocean with the hope of continuing to raise awareness to this worthy cause. I would say our cause, but, it has through this campaign become everyone’s cause. I am confident now that we will do our part by completing this mission and making our island proud by finishing strong in Antigua. Thank you again to everyone who supported us over the last two and a half years and never doubted our determination, drive and resolve,” stated Billy Cimino.
“Don’t remember us, don’t remember the team name, just remember why we did it, and find a way to help as well,” added Hansen.
Musical Lineup:
11am: Alix Delfs
11:40am: Thaxton Rowe
12:20pm: Amy Vickery
1:00pm: Awkward Pauses (Bob & Dana Jenkins)
1:35pm: Tom Leon & Amy Basse
2:15pm: Honey & David
2:50pm: Michelle Anders
3:30pm: Brian Ernst
4:10pm: Sean McCarthy
5:00pm: Sam McDonald
5:50pm: The Wildflowers
7:00pm: Amelia Blues Project
8:15pm: The Honey Badgers
Speakers Include:
State Senator Aaron Bean
State Representative Cord Byrd
Mayor Mike Lednovich
City Commissioners: Chip Ross, Bradley Bean, David Sturges
County Commissioners: Jeff Gray, John Martin, Aaron Bell
Oar Sponsors
Bronze Shark & Silver Shark Sponsors
Community Leaders
Local Veterans
K9s for Warriors
And many more
About Foar from Home:
Foar From Home is Crossing an Ocean to Fight Veteran PTSD and Suicide
In December 2021, four Veterans will launch from the Canary Islands to row 3,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean to Antigua in effort to raise awareness for Veteran PTSD and Veteran Suicide. Paul Lore (United States Marine Corps), Cameron Hansen (United States Air Force), A.M. ‘Hupp’ Huppmann (United States Navy), and Billy Cimino (United States Army) have partnered together to take on The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – the toughest journey of their lives.
The Challenge, dubbed “the world’s toughest row,” includes 30 teams from across the globe, all driven to complete the challenge to raise funds and awareness for charities of their choosing. But, the motivation for the Foar From Home team is one that hits close to home for each of them.
When leaving the military, veterans face serious challenges transitioning back to civilian life. Unfortunately, many veterans struggle with cognitive mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), re-integration and identity issues, financial and/or housing problems among other difficulties. Foar From Home has selected North Florida organizations who assist veterans and their families who are struggling with cognitive mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, re-integration and identity issues, and financial and/or housing problems, as well as the broader mission of raising awareness of PTSD and veteran suicide issues plaguing our nation’s warriors. Our partner organizations are the Cross the Line Foundation in Nassau County, Florida and K-9 for Warriors in St. John’s County, Florida, both 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organizations. As of mid September 2021, we have exceeded our initial $500,000 goal to benefit these partner organizations and will continue to push with fundraising through 2022.
Website: www.foarfromhome.com/