8000 Meters for 8000 Veterans...
There are over 8000 Veteran Suicides each Year
About My Mission:
From Service...
HM2 (FMF) Fairman, US NAVY Afghanistan. 2010-2011
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SUMMIT, SUMMIT, SUMMIT...
Hello, My name is C. Michael Fairman. I was a US Navy (FMF) Corpsman for almost 19 years, serving both on active duty and the reserves. In 2010/2011 I deployed to Afghanistan with the USMC Infantry. I live with Bipolar, Depression and PTSD. In 2012 I tried to take my life... given a second chance I returned to the one therapeutic thing that has always worked for me... climbing! On 19 May 2016, I stood on the summit of Mt Everest, hoping this climb would become an encouragement to others by showing that you 'CAN' reclaim your life and take on any challenge that comes your way! More importantly was to carry the Silently Fallen flag bearing some of the names of brothers and sisters we have lost to suicide. Summit for Soldiers began as the personal mission of Steve Redenbaugh and myself to bring awareness to PTSD and Veteran Suicide through our climbing. In 2014 we turned this mission into an official 501(c)3 non-profit, run by our team of “Re-abled” veterans on “Re-purposed” missions through our “Adven-Therapy” programs and community outreach to serve other struggling veterans. Our simple approach through camaraderie, encouragement and peer-to-peer support coupled with outdoor activities has resulted in veterans who are committed to walk beside each other down the difficult road of mental health recovery... and this is how we are saving lives! |
To Summit!!!
Legion Magazine, September Edition
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41 States Completed; 9 To Go!
NEXT STOP in my 50 State Quest:??? 
3 of the Seven Summits Completed; 4 To Go!
NEXT STOP: AUSTRALIA NOV 2018 
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2018 means 8000 more Meters for 8000 Veterans!
UPDATE: I had hoped hope to complete the remaining State high-points this year, but I did reach a benchmark of 40 States (41 Actually) completed! It has been an exciting year over at Summit for Soldiers helping to be a part of several of our members reaching their personal state highpoint goals for the year and helping to raise awareness on our mission. We lose over 8000 veterans and close to 40,000 Americans each year to suicide! This is the 10th leading cause of death folks, so maybe we should really begin to take it seriously. The Seven Summits Update: Off we go to Australia's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko. Now I know some of you climbing folk will disagree, calling the continent "Oceana" which would make Cartenz Pyramid the highest, but I prefer the original Dick Bass and Frank Wells version! Besides, mine is for a reason other than just climbing. So follow us here or over at my facebook page (click). Here is the Countdown List (Lowest to Highest): STATES: Vermont, Arizona, Idaho ,Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, California, Alaska/Denali (7-Summit and 50-State Highpoint) SEVEN SUMMITS: Kosciuszko, Vincent, Elbrus, Denali THE 750 CLUB
The 750 Club! There are around 5000 people who have summited Mt. Everest, of those less than 500 have completed the 7-summits. There are around 450 people that have completed all 50-state highpoints, and supposedly only 6 people on record have completed both the 50 States and the 7-summits! With 3 of the 7 Summits reached, along with over half of the State highpoints completed, my goal will be to continue my efforts to carry our Message and the Silently Fallen Flag to complete both of these challenging objectives and possibly become the first veteran to do so. Our hope through this effort is to draw much needed attention to help us to eliminate the Stigma revolving around mental health issues, rally support for our veterans and their families, and encourage other veterans to reclaim their lives and overcome any obstacle or challenge that may come their way... especially the most difficult challenge of all... simply reaching out for help! I Climb these Mountains One Step at a time... I reclaim my life One Day at a time... You can as well... so please, just raise your hand and you might be surprised who grabs it! While these climbs carry a powerful message, not one of these climbs would have ever happened if not for the support and efforts of our Summit for Soldiers team, and the work they are doing right here in our local communities. This SfS team of veterans, families and community partners have committed themselves to one-another and they have literally kept me alive! I am but one member of a much larger team. So, Thank You to everyone who helped to make this Vision grow and our Mission carry on! C. Michael Fairman |
The MISSION, MOUNTAINS and MUSIC
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Please visit the YouTube link below to check out the recent 4200 mile Journey across the USA on my Mission, Mountains & Music series. I visited some state high-points, met many new friends, shared the message, my story and my music. We also suffered a terrible loss in our SfS family while I was away. These are the hardest moments to continue this mission, but they are also the evidence of the very reason why I must keep moving forward.
You all have heard my story through my adventures, but to really understand whats in my head and soul you only need to listen to my music. (If you are interested, here are some of my tunes on SoundCloud: Lack of Direction). Episode 5: "My Big White Butte & Tiny Timm's Hill"Subscribe at Youtube and follow the Journey and Quest through the US. 4500 Miles across 14 States, and to 7 State High-points. #8000metersfor8000veterans #summitforsoldiers # missionmountainsmusic #stopveteransuicides
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PLEASE HELP ME REACH MY GOAL: Speaking Events/Fundraisers, Donations: (Click Here to Learn More)
After turning Summit for Soldiers into a 501c3 Non-profit Org, I have not/will not accept one cent from our SfS donations. However, my personal mission still continues and I will continue to raise my funding independently. If you would be interested in having me out to your next function or meeting to share my story, or would like to become involved please call or email: mike@summitforsoldiers.org or (614) 314-5829
After turning Summit for Soldiers into a 501c3 Non-profit Org, I have not/will not accept one cent from our SfS donations. However, my personal mission still continues and I will continue to raise my funding independently. If you would be interested in having me out to your next function or meeting to share my story, or would like to become involved please call or email: mike@summitforsoldiers.org or (614) 314-5829
The Summits so Far...
CLICK to VIEW
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CLICK to VIEW
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CLICK to VIEW
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The "Silently Fallen" Flag
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CLICK on the image or the tab at the top of the page to visit the Wall of the Fallen Warriors from their Silent Wounds. I will carry their names with me to the summits of these climbs and I PROMISE they will NEVER be Forgotten! If you would like to add a name in memory of your loved one, please contact me at: mike@summitforsoldiers.org
Latest NEWS:
THE MEDIA:
THE SPONSORS:
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Need help: 1-800-273-8255 press 1
(Talk or Chat confidentially) Every 60-80 Mins we lose another Veteran to Suicide! 22 a day, >8000 a year! |
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Sponsorship Opportunities: Please contact : mike@summitforsoldiers.org.
