8000 Meters for 8000 Veterans...
There are over 8000 Veteran Suicides each Year
Contact Me: [email protected]
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. In 2024 we closed the doors on our non-profit, but not the mission. 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 we realized that we do not need an "organization" to continue doing that. All we need are those who are willing to continue that mission wherever they may be. |
To Summit
Legion Magazine, 2016 Sept Edition
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The next adventure... An Educational Journey
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January 2025 and a new semester has begun. I swear I am going to drop this foolishness every semester, I'm too old with way more important things to do. I have stacks of research piling up waiting for me to begin compiling into the works and writings I have been working on all these years. School was meant to be an avenue to hone deeper into the subjects of my interest so that I could produce something with a little more insight. On top of that, family is the priority... not running around like teenager. Okay, every semester I say that's it, and yet every semester I sign up for classes and continue to learn something new. Then there are these "hours to graduate" thing. Despite having 173 credit hours, I still need 22 hours to meet my 121 hour requirement!?! My lord, it's like VA compensation math! Anyway, it seems I have forgotten my golden rule of climbing... Take it in and enjoy it, always remembering that the summit is not the goal... it's the journey.
This semester is starting off fun. I have an Archaeology Class that I just need for upper level hours, but it will certainly help me with the boxes of archived family history and artifacts as I continue to piece that story together. There there is my final history seminar that will allow me to continue my research into the role and definition of Arab Christian Nationalists in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict over the years. And finally, a drawing class that will simply help me to slow down and relax (though this seems to have the greatest demand at the moment!) Anyway, here we go... maybe I can get a B and finally relax. |
Follow the Blog here: Old Man in School
The 750 Endeavor
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42 States Completed; 8 To Go!
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To Carry the Flag
To Encourage Others To Heal and Recover |
5 of the Seven Summits Completed; 2 To Go!
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2019 Vinson massif EXPEDITION
FOLLOW the "TWEETS" Below, or ClicK for the ANTARCTICA BLOG PAGE
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ANTARCTICA UPDATE:
14 Jan 2019: Summit, Summit, Summit! The Silently Fallen Flag has been raised on the top of Antarctica’s highest mountain... Mount Vinson! |
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 5 of the 7 Summits reached, along with 42 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. 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!
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: [email protected]
Latest NEWS:
THE MEDIA:
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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 : [email protected].
