Jacksonville area wounded warriors explore Key Largo reefs

A flick of its powerful tail sent a nurse shark gliding effortlessly -- not to mention nonchalantly -- past Jacce Hae Choe and fellow wounded warriors during their inaugural scuba dive to two reefs off Key Largo.

Choe and Richard Deleon -- both from the Jacksonville area -- were among 10 military veterans participating in a Wounded Warrior Project scuba diving and snorkeling expedition Saturday at Pete's Reef and Spanky's Reef.

Swimming amid myriad marine life including the sharks, the group also unfurled American and Wounded Warrior Project flags at the reefs.

The experience, Choe said, was about more than just swimming with nurse sharks, although that was her favorite part of the reef life.

"I never knew scuba diving would teach me life skills, like how to work through stress. It was more than I expected," she said after the dive.

Before the dives, all the veterans underwent certification training, said Rob Louis, spokesman for the nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project.

Deleon, 54, of Jacksonville is a U.S. Army veteran. Choe, 29, of Palm Bay, served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Neither had ever been scuba diving before now.

Although a little hesitant at first, each said the experience not only eased their physical pain but also alleviated stress. It was an experience of a lifetime, both said.

"It was a lot more than I expected. I expected it to open up the world. I didn't expect it to make me feel better," said Deleon, who described the experience as "amazing, liberating and alleviated a lot of my aches and pains."

Wounded Warrior Project, headquartered in Jacksonville, helps wounded veterans and active-duty military personnel via a variety of services and programs.

"All of the warriors live with invisible wounds of war," Louis said.

The diving and snorkeling trip illustrated the organization's commitment to serving veterans. It also showed the results of that dedication, the veterans said.

"Wounded Warrior Project saved my life," Deleon said. "I was at a very low point in my thought process. Wounded Warrior Project enabled me to come back."

The group originally planned to replace the American flag and add a Wounded Warrior Project flag at the USS Spiegel Grove -- a former Navy Thomaston-class dock landing ship sunk in 2002 to become an artificial reef off Key Largo.

However, strong currents and choppy seas forced the them to change plans and dive at Pete's and Spanky's reefs, Louis said.

The dives were incredible, Choe and Deleon said. Both intend to do more scuba diving in the future.

Choe said she'd always wanted to scuba dive. Friends have told her about the benefits of doing it, she said.

"I live with chronic pain every day. I was interested to see how much activity I could handle. I wanted to experience the peace and tranquility of being in the water," Choe said.

She wasn't disappointed.

"It was amazing. It was magical. It was everything I hoped for and more," Choe said. Participating in the dive also was an honor that made her feel special, she said.

The best part, she said, was the sea life.

"I enjoyed being around the nurse sharks. No nerves, just enjoying the moment," she said of the species that is common on coral and rocky reefs in the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. Scientists say nurse sharks pose very little threat to humans.

Deleon said the best part for him was exploring the reefs with confidence. It was a priceless, he said.

"It's just a gift that will continually give again. It never stops giving. How do you tell someone thank you for such an experience?" Deleon said.

"I'm hooked. I'm now part of the diving community along with my fellow wounded warriors," Deleon said.

Without Wounded Warrior Project that might not have happened, Choe said.

"Wounded Warrior Project is an amazing organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for veterans," Choe said.

Teresa Stepzinski: (904) 359-4075

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