Over 8000 Meters for over 8000 Veteran Suicides!
Quest to Reach the 7-Summits and all 50-State Highpoints!
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 and I suffer from Bipolar, Depression and PTSD. In 2012 I tried to take my life.... on 19 May 2016 I Summited Mt Everest to show that you CAN reclaim your life and take on any challenge that comes your way! I co-founded Summit for Soldiers as a personal mission to bring awareness to PTSD and Veteran Suicide through my climbing, and in 2014 we became a 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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In conjunction with running Summit for Soldiers, I continue on with my "personal" mission to carry my Message and the "Silently Fallen" flag to the summit of the highest mountain on each of the 7 Continents (7-Summits) and to the highest elevation on each of the 50 States. With Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro behind me, on 19 May 2016 at 11am I was blessed with a beautiful day when I summited Mount Everest, completing my 3rd summit of the 7 summits! As someone who has attempted to take his own life, my mission is beyond personal and this endeavor is my way to show that you CAN rise from the darkness of mental health and suicidal struggles, to reclaiming your life and overcoming any obstacle that comes your way, no matter how big! The “Silently Fallen” flag which I carry, bears the names of veterans we have personally known and lost to suicide and it is our way of honoring, remembering and never forgetting these fallen warriors who succumbed to their silent wounds. These names represent the over 8000 veterans we lose each year, and now their stories plead to other veterans to just reach out a hand and let us grab ahold.
The 750 Club! There are around 4500 people who have summited Mt. Everest, of those less than 450 have completed the 7-summits. There are around 300 people that have done all 50-state highpoints, and of those only 4 people on record have completed both the 50 States and the 7-summits! With 3 of the 7 Summits, along with about half of the State highpoints completed, my goal will be to carry my Message, the Silently Fallen Flag, and the Summit for Soldiers mission into the record books by completing both of these challenging objectives and becoming the FIRST VETERAN to do so, and continue to kill the Stigma and encourage other veterans that you "CAN" reclaim your life and overcome any obstacle or challenge that comes your way!
I Climb these Mountains one step at a time... I reclaim my life one Day at a time... Please, just Reach up your Hand! You'll be surprised who might grab it.
While these climbs carry a powerful message, not one of these climbs would have ever happened if not for the work that Summit for Soldiers is doing right here in our local communities through our SfS team of veterans who are committed to one-another and have literally kept me alive! So, Thank You to everyone who helped to make my Vision grow and this Mission carry on. - C. Michael Fairman
The 750 Club! There are around 4500 people who have summited Mt. Everest, of those less than 450 have completed the 7-summits. There are around 300 people that have done all 50-state highpoints, and of those only 4 people on record have completed both the 50 States and the 7-summits! With 3 of the 7 Summits, along with about half of the State highpoints completed, my goal will be to carry my Message, the Silently Fallen Flag, and the Summit for Soldiers mission into the record books by completing both of these challenging objectives and becoming the FIRST VETERAN to do so, and continue to kill the Stigma and encourage other veterans that you "CAN" reclaim your life and overcome any obstacle or challenge that comes your way!
I Climb these Mountains one step at a time... I reclaim my life one Day at a time... Please, just Reach up your Hand! You'll be surprised who might grab it.
While these climbs carry a powerful message, not one of these climbs would have ever happened if not for the work that Summit for Soldiers is doing right here in our local communities through our SfS team of veterans who are committed to one-another and have literally kept me alive! So, Thank You to everyone who helped to make my Vision grow and this 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.
