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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The MISSION, MOUNTAINS and MUSIC
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Follow me as I head out for a cross-country journey, as I visit some state high-points, explore our country side, and see what inspiration comes my way. This is part exploring, always the Mission, but for my mental reset and therapy as well, and I am inviting you along for the ride. 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).
I will be using this time to share some of my "story" through my songs and hopefully, if I can figure out this youtube thing, write, record and share them with you in an ongoing series during my travels. My First Stop will be on Sat, 21 April at the John Crone 5k Memorial in Brownsburg, IN. Maj. Crone is one of our fallen represented on our Silently Fallen Flag, and some of his climbing gear lives on through our SfS outings. After that I will head towards Missouri's Taum Sauk and then on to Oklahoma. YouTube link coming soon. Click this link: John Crone 5k Memorial if you would like to come out and support it this Sat. 21 Apr 2018, 10am, Brownsburg East Middle School, IN. Episode 3: "comfort zone"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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30 States Completed; 20 To Go!
NEXT STOP in my 50 State Quest: MS, OK, NM 
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!
My hope is to complete the remaining State high-points this year, but at a minimum I will set my goal for at "least" 8000 meters of combined state highpoints, continuing my quest to climb 8000 meters for 8000 veterans. If I am able to complete ALL 50-state highppoints, the combined total will be over 42,000 meters which is just over the total number of all Americans we lose each year to suicide! This is the 10th leading cause of death folks, so maybe we should really begin to take it seriously. We have a busy 2018 ahead at Summit for Soldiers (www.summitforsoldiers.org), but in-between all the awesome stuff we have planned, I hope to continue my personal quest to carry the Silently Fallen Flag, along with our Mission & Message to the top of each of the 50 State high-points and the Highest Mountain each of the 7 Continents. The Seven Summits Update: Antarctica may be the biggest obstacle yet. At 16,050 ft the mountain itself ranks number 6 in height, but the cost involved makes it one of the most expensive of them all... Possibly even more than Everest! So, I will let that one be for now. My Seven Summit goals for this year will focus on Australia and if all works out North America's Highest Peak... Denali. Here is the Countdown List (Lowest to Highest): Delaware, Rhode Island, Missouri, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Vermont ,Oklahoma, Maine ,New Hampshire, Arizona, Idaho ,Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, California, Alaska/Denali (7-Summit and 50-State Highpoint) 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 |
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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:
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It was an Awesome Week, starting with the presentation of the American Legion Patch I wore on the Summit of Everest to the National Commander at the American Legion's 98th National Convention. And then an awesome morning speaking to the Westerville Sunrise Rotary thanks to the Bokrus Family! The word is spreading and the Mission is growing!!!
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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.
