I met Josh Shields, a young man from California, during the second leg of the Los Sueños Triple Crown billfish tournament. His grandfather, Bill Royster, introduced us, telling Josh about the work of Freedom Alliance, which he supports. Josh was interested and revealed his familiarity with the military subculture. When asked about this, he said his old roommate might be a good candidate for our program. “He fought in Fallujah,” he said with grim recollection.
In late March 2004, four U.S. contractors were ambushed by Iraqi insurgents in the city of Fallujah. The world watched revolting footage of those men being murdered, drug through the streets, set on fire, and strung up over a bridge. It was the impetus for Operations Vigilant Resolve and Phantom Fury of that same year.
Vigilant Resolve, conducted in April, came at the order of President George Bush and involved Marine and Army units pushing through the city to find and destroy the insurgent forces and regain control of the city. The agitators included not only Iraqi combatants but hardened foreign fighters from Chechnya, Iran, Sudan, and other countries. After a month of combat, the commander in the area, Lt. Gen. James Conway, announced that, at the behest of the Iraqi government, operations would be handed over to a local Iraqi security force. By September of that year, insurgent forces had grown in Fallujah and the coalition forces launched a new campaign.
The Second Battle of Fallujah, also called Operation Phantom Fury, was preluded by a warning: anyone who remained in the city after a certain date would be considered an enemy combatant. With barrier troops surrounding the city, Marine and Army units pushed from one end of Fallujah to the other, clearing each building room by room. It is remembered as one of the most historic events of the Iraq War.
We invited Josh’s former roommate Mike and three of his fellow Marines to participate in our Freedom Alliance Offshore Experience program in May. All four Marines had fought in Fallujah in 2004—two during the first battle and two during the second. Mike served in Fallujah during Vigilant Resolve, then deployed again a year later to Ramadi (another brutal battlefront).
Josh, in a gesture of support for Mike, asked to be involved in the program as much as possible—on his own dime. Josh is in his late twenties and met Mike in Park City, Utah, when they both were on the ski patrol. A third friend from those days, Adam Davis, also joined us, interested in supporting Mike and witnessing the group’s testimony. We welcomed them as a healthy reminder to our veterans that people care . . . even millennials! In all seriousness, Josh and Adam showed genuine care, paid careful attention, and sought real friendship with the Marines. One of our goals in this program is to help bridge the gap between our society and its defenders, and these guys met that need flawlessly.
Two of our other participants, Ryan and Sean both fought in the second battle of Fallujah, but with different units in different sectors of the city. Ryan, who also had a second deployment to Iraq in 2005, was awarded two Purple Heart Medals for wounds received during that time. Sean was wounded by shrapnel from a vehicle-borne IED driven by a suicidal enemy combatant. Our fourth participant, a veteran named Yale, served in Fallujah at the same time as Mike, but it was his second tour. He first deployed to Iraq with the invasion force in 2003.
On the first night of our Offshore Experience, after a long day of travel, the men sat poolside overlooking the resort, getting to know each other. Sean said, “I feel like I’m home. I don’t know these guys, but I know where they fought, and they are my home.”
The next morning, John Mcnally, owner of Pelagic Magic, a 51-foot Ricky Scarborough sport fisher, welcomed the troops to two days of fishing on his vessel. Captain Carl Schloderer, assisted by his brother Kurt, had the boat ready to fish and we set out of Herradura Bay.
The men got used to the boat and fishing techniques that first day as we caught baitfish. Yale helped Kurt catch the bait, and then we tried for a black marlin bite. We saw plenty of wildlife, but the marlin were either not in that water or feeling shy. So Carl took us offshore to pursue the tuna and sailfish that swim with the dolphin pods. It was overcast, very comfortable for being on the water, and the Marines enjoyed watching the spinner dolphins play. Despite unfavorable fishing, the men engaged in healthy discussion with one another and with John. John asked about their transition home from war, and they were open with him about their struggles.
The second day on the yacht saw the Costa Rica fishing we know and love. The clouds scattered, and the day was sunny and hot with glass-like seas. We went offshore and found lots of bird activity and dolphin pods, and it wasn’t too long before we had three tuna in the boat. As we started to turn away, Captain Carl spotted pilot whales and steered us over for a closer look at these majestic animals.
We had a marlin bite in the early afternoon, hitting a lure and giving us a series of jumps before the hook dislodged. The excitement lasted longer than the fish on the line, and we took the tuna out for some group photos, including a comic “stack” pose that Sean arranged.
Ryan was then able to reel in another yellowfin tuna. As a Marine, he trained with Thai Special Forces during an exercise where the Thai warriors demonstrated their stamina by drinking the blood of a cobra. In true Marine fashion, Ryan tipped the fish over his head and let the blood spill over his mouth. (I’ve worked with Marines for 14 years, and this is not shocking to me, but it can be to civilians! John, Kurt, and Carl had a good laugh after getting over their suprise.)
Next, we spotted a billfish in the lures, and John pitched a ballyhoo bait into the water. Fish on! Ryan got to reel in his first billfish. We called it a day and were heading back when Captain Carl spotted some floating debris. We took about 20 minutes to see if any fish were among the pieces of wooden crate and snagged a pompano dorado, or pompano dolphinfish.
It was a memorable day, and John wrote to the men that night: “I super-appreciate your service to me, my family, and my Country! I know if it weren’t for your dedication, your bravery, and your love for all of us, my life would be very different. It is all you brave men and women who make the difference in this world! Please know, from the bottom of my heart, you all are appreciated and loved!”
The next morning we boarded the catamaran of Costa Cat Cruises to spend the day at Isla Tortuga. Isla Tortuga is a white sands island surrounded by peaceful blue waters and shaded by tall palm trees. The tour is donated by Jim Kitchell, captain and owner-operator of the company. For the Offshore Experience, we use this day to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica, purposefully reflecting on the contrast between this experience and what they experienced in war. We conduct therapeutic exercises and conversation that center around the warrior’s journey, values, and identity, as well as the civilian’s responsibility in sharing the burdens of war. These talks are based on the concepts put forth by psychotherapist Dr. Ed Tick, author of Warrior’s Return.
That evening, we were invited to Josh’s grandfather’s home for dinner. Mr. Royster is the CEO and visionary of Los Sueños Resort and Marina. He encouraged our guests to enjoy his pool while dinner was prepared by the Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director Darrell Thomas. The Marines enjoyed a prime rib with asparagus and vegetables, while reliving their experiences in Costa Rica. Mr. Royster expressed his respect for the military and the warriors gathered at his table.
After returning home, Sean posted this on his Facebook page:
This past weekend was an experience I will never forget. More so, it’s something I’ll never stop feeling. I’ve been to many places, yet I always cease to feel the actual event. I remember everything, but over time we naturally displace the actual sense it gave us.
Not this time.
Myself and three other men weren’t just in paradise—we were actually home, because we knew where we all stood in battle. Knowing I was staring at three others, yet seeing myself in so many ways, was beyond calming, and extremely comforting.
We told stories, held seminars, reflected on the past, cried at times, but laughed the most knowing it’s carved us into who we are today.
These men are my home—and knowing the door swings both ways is a testament that we will be brothers to the end.
To John Mcnally and Jim Kitchell, how cool are you both? Your time is so valuable, and you took us in as if we were part of your team.
Bottom of my heart, you will always be on my mind because of the experience you give others. To all the benefactors, opening their homes, God bless you.
Costa Rica wasn’t a vacation—it was a place where we knew we were safe, together.
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