Veteran organizes fund-raiser for Warrior Scuba Project

Date: 6/18/2012

June 18, 2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield resident Sean Cox hopes to give back to a program that has helped him greatly.

Cox, a 30-year-old disabled Marine Corps veteran, is in the midst of organizing a fund-raiser to benefit the Warrior Scuba Project (WSP), an organization that provides veterans with some much-needed support.

"WSP is a non-profit veteran service organization, driven by volunteers like me, registered with the state of Illinois, providing disabled and able-bodied veterans the opportunity to experience scuba within the confines of a military and team culture," Cox explained. "WSP is a veteran-centric organization built from the ground up with leadership from different branches of service."

Cox, a Sixteen Acres native who graduated from Cathedral High School in 2000, served two tours overseas with 3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., and was most recently deployed to Afghanistan's Farah Province.

He realized the benefits of WSP through his own experience when he was having trouble adjusting to civilain life with a disability.

"I first heard of WSP about two months ago, and I was able to dive with them at Hanscom Air Force Base [in Bedford], along with 60 other veterans and their families, free of cost," he said. "Being a disabled Marine Corps veteran, the water and atmosphere offered by this type of activity, proved to be very therapeutic for me, especially during a dark time for me after returning from combat. I found that the camaraderie, commitment, respect, responsibility, and support that WSP provides for this country's vets, goes above and beyond the call.

"I vowed that I would answer this call and help its cause, by bringing other veterans into the organization, creating awareness of its positive effects, and by holding fund-raising events, like this one, to accomplish the mission of the organization," he continued.

Now Cox is hoping to create awareness and raise money through a pig roast to take place on June 24 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the VFW Post 7352 located at 63 Veterans Way. The cost of the roast is $10 per individual and $15 per couple and includes food, games and live music performed by Rod Warner of Alabama Lo-Fi, Loomis, and Wayne Morphew and the Glorious Unknown. A cash bar and a 50-50 raffle are also a part of the evening.

"Local businesses have been very generous in their donations, allowing us to raise money for WSP," Cox said.

For more information on the pig roast, contact Cox at 505-9667. To learn more about WSP, contact them at warriorscubaproject@gmail.com or 630-354-8925 or visit www.warriorscubaproject.org.