Group uses the lure of fishing to foster well-being and camaraderie
SOUTH DENNIS – Four years ago this coming June, Frank Breakell’s side business moved front and center in his life.
Breakell, a longtime health and physical education teacher at Millville High School who also has run fishing charters since 2003, booked a trip for a military veteran.
He gave the veteran some fishing lessons and took him out on the boat the next day, and they had a good time.
But Breakell wasn’t prepared for what happened next.
“First, he wrote a beautiful review of my services,” the South Dennis resident said. “Then his wife sent me a private email saying I saved his life.”
Breakell said the veteran’s wife explained that he intended to kill himself at the shore, a place he had always enjoyed while he was growing up. However, after Breakell taught him how to fish and took him out, it changed everything.
It also changed Breakell’s life to a great extent, ultimately leading him to help found Jersey Cape Hook, Line, and Heroes, with the intention of helping veterans who might be near the end of their rope.
He said the group offers veterans a chance to get on the water for a free day of fishing and forgetting about life – and death – for a while.
Breakell formed Jersey Cape Hook, Line, and Heroes in 2023 with some buddies – Howie Prickett, David McMichael and Chris Farschon. Prickett, he said, is a veteran who did two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“He runs Prickett’s Lawn Care, and he knows everybody in Cape May County. He is essentially my right-hand man,” he said. “He’s been invaluable as far as connections getting funding.”
Breakell said he has a heart for veterans. His father, Charles “Breck” Breakell, served with the Army engineers in Vietnam. His grandfather, William “Bill” Breakell, served in the Army in World War II in Europe. His other grandfather, Harry Kollar, served in the Army in Korea.
“I was all set to go (into the military service),” he said, “but my Dad had reservations, being a Vietnam vet.”
Breakell went to college instead and ended up teaching, but he is doing what he can to help veterans to, as he said, “forget about life for a while.”
“Or at least think about things other than suicide,” he said.
Breakell said the group got four boats lined up last August and took 15 veterans out for a day’s fishing. This summer there will be a trip on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Jersey Cape Hook, Line, and Heroes also is working with American Warriors Outdoors, which attempts to create a space where veterans can participate in various outdoor activities together, fostering a sense of community and promoting well-being.
The group’s website, americanwarriorsoutdoors.org, says, “Organizing outdoor events for veterans can provide them with opportunities for camaraderie, support and engagement with nature. Outdoor activities have been shown to have numerous physical, mental and emotional benefits, making them especially valuable for veterans who may be dealing with the challenges of transitioning to civilian life or coping with service-related issues.”
Kevin Noland, a co-founder of American Warriors Outdoors, referred to what his group does as “ecotherapy,” which includes hunting, fishing, camping and, for the first time this year, scuba diving.
Breakell said his group’s trip last year had veterans whose ages ranged from the late 20s through the 60s, and they had a really good time. All of the veterans had combat experience, many in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“A lot of them fish, but for some this is a new experience,” he said.
Breakell said the day of fishing includes meeting up at the dock and launching from various places from Seaville to Cape May. He said his boat ran out of Townsend’s Inlet, and they headed out to TI Reef, where there are different wrecks that attract fish. There they went for flounder, tog, sea bass and sharks, he said. The trip takes about six hours.
The goal, he said, is not to get veterans to talk about the issues causing them distress, but to give them a break from their negative feelings by providing something positive. He said if they want to talk about their military experiences, that is OK, too; he always lets them control the situation.
He said when they get to know one another they immediately start busting on each other, mainly about the different branches of service. Still, they exhibit a sense of camaraderie at having been part of the 1% who serve in the military, he said.
“There’s a lot of good conversation – a lot of good laughs – but they don’t really get into the gnarly details of their combat service,” he said.
Breakell said there are quite a few other organizations that do such fishing trips. He said the veteran he helped in 2020 goes up and down the coast for these events, sponsored for veterans by organizations such as Wounded Warriors, Warriors on the Water and Ma Deuce Deuce, or MA22; the “22” refers to the estimated 22 veteran suicides that occur each day.
According to a militarytimes.com article from September 2022, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that 17 veterans commit suicide every day. Other estimates put the number as high as 44.
The veteran Breakell helped now wants to become a charter boat captain.
Breakell said Jersey Cape Hook, Line, and Heroes is planning a barbecue fundraiser on June 7 at the Petrella-Repici-Caprioni-Champion VFW Post 6257 in Belleplain. They will be having hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and so on, he said.
He expects to have bouncy houses for the kids, a live band formed by veterans and beer. He said many area businesses, such as Joe Canal’s and Surran’s Nursery, have contributed to his group’s efforts.
To get more information or to register for the day of fishing with Jersey Cape Hook, Line, and Heroes, visit the American Warriors Outdoors Facebook page, American Warrior Outdoors – Official, or its website, americanwarriorsoutdoors.org.
Veterans in need of emergency counseling can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 or 800-273-8255 and selecting option 1 to reach a VA staffer. In addition, veterans, current members of the military or their family members can text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for assistance.
Contact the author, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
