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 (and all my climbs) 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, to carry the Silently Fallen flag bearing the names of brothers and sisters within our group that we have lost to suicide. Never Forget, Always Remembered 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, 2016 Sept Edition
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The 750 Endeavor
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41 States Completed; 9 To Go!
NEXT STOP: New Mexico, Spring 2019 
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To Carry the Flag
To Encourage Others To Heal and Recover |
4 of the Seven Summits Completed; 3 To Go!
NEXT STOP: ANTARCTICA JAN 2019 
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2019 Vinson massif EXPEDITION
VINSON PARTNERS and SponsorsSupport our local Veteran Owned Business partnersMany a warrior returns home only to struggle to find a purpose and place. Here are a couple of awesome Veteran Owned businesses that have found renewed purposes by utilizing their skills, discipline, creativity and 'attention to detail' towards providing quality services and products to our community. Check them out... (Click on the Logos to Follow Links)
Our 2019 '750 Endeavor' Partner: Yes, the 'Big' place has lots to look at, but I am betting the same thing you reach for on their shelf you can find right here! And, you are supporting a local, veteran owned business. These guys got your back with quality brand names and experienced advice as well.
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ANTARCTICA UPDATE:
7 Jan 2019: Waiting in Punta Arenas. All packed and sorted. Team all together and having a great time. Should be a great group. FOLLOW the "TWEETS" Below, or ClicK for the ANTARCTICA BLOG PAGE
Ways to SupportVisit the Funding and Sponsorship page to learn about ways you can support this climb. Including how to purchase a '7-50' Patch or 'Rock and Rupee' from the Summit of Everest!
VINSON MASSIF is the last really 'BIG' Finacial Hurdle to completing the Seven Summits and I am most of the way there. If you believe in this Mission and would like to help me get the Silently Fallen Flag to the remainder of these summits, please consider a contribution. As with all my expeditions, I cover 80% of the cost myself and I limit external sources and contributions to 20%. (Summit for Soldiers is an all volunteer, 501c3 non-profit veterans organization, and not one cent that comes into the "organization" is used for my personal climbs or endeavors.) FUNDING and SPONSORSHIP
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what is the 750The 7-50 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 only 6 people on record have completed both the 50 States and the 7-summits! With 4 of the 7 Summits reached, along with 41 State highpoints completed, my quest is 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. (DISCLAIMER: Not one cent that comes into Summit for Soldiers (organization) is used for my personal climbs and expeditions. My climbs are supported out of pocket and by individuals and sponsors wishing to help me realize my objective.) So, Thank You to everyone who helped to make this Vision grow and our Mission carry on! C. Michael Fairman |
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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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19 Nov 2018: Kosciuszko Summited!
UPDATE: The Seven Summits Update: Beth, Emy and Karla joined me as we summited Australia's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko. Now I know some of you “climbing folk” might disagree, calling the continent "Oceania" 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! |
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.
