3 Schneider veterans skydive to support HOOAH, combat PTSD

I am sure you have heard that Schneider is a huge supporter of the military. So what exactly does that mean? It means in part that Schneider supports military groups and organizations at the community level. Let’s take a look at just one of the recent opportunities Schneider associates were selected to participate in.

Schneider is a proud sponsor of 4th H.O.O.A.H Wisconsin, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Green Bay, Wis. The mission of H.O.O.A.H, which stands for Helping Out Our American Heroes, is to support military members, focus largely on providing resources and events to help combat PTSD, bring awareness to veteran suicide and help to build a community for veterans and active duty personnel in Wisconsin.

All smiles during H.O.O.A.H. ‘Freedom Freefall’

On June 15, 2018, H.O.O.A.H. had their annual “Freedom Freefall,” an event to help reduce issues that lead to depression and veteran suicides. There was an application process and three of Schneider’s associates were chosen as part of the 40 selected to participate.

They skydived as tandems and each tandem had their own videographer. This was the first jump for all three of them. As a Schneider associate myself and a five-year member of H.O.O.A.H., I also had the privilege to go and watch them take the plunge at Seven Hills Skydivers located in Marshall, Wis.

Chip Hill – Air Force

Chip Hill, the current driver of the 2015 Ride of Pride, an Air Force Veteran and a 25-year Schneider associate, brought the Ride of Pride down to Seven Hills. It would be his first skydiving experience and to say he was excited would be an understatement. Chip was like a kid in a candy store, and I don’t think that a smile ever left his face the entire day. Afterwards he told Jay, his good friend, he had nothing to worry about.

Jay Hull – Army

Jay Hull, the first driver of the 2015 Ride of Pride, Army Veteran and Schneider associate of over 6 years, now in Driver Recruiting; wasn’t as excited as Chip was for his first skydiving experience. When I asked Jay how he felt before the jump, he said nervous but ready. After the jump the smile never left his face either. When Chip asked him the last time he had that much adrenaline going through his body, he answered overseas.

Josh Copeland – Marines

Josh Copeland, Marine Corps Veteran and a Customer Service account manager with 15 years at Schneider, was also selected to jump this year. He too was excited about the jump; it was something he had wanted to do for a long time. After the jump he said that it really puts things into perspective of why he fought for freedoms in the first place, so that people can continue to do things like this.

‘Welcome to the family’

After being able to watch and talk to the three of them, the things I noticed were the smiles on their faces and the sense of camaraderie this event brought them. As Jay said, it was surreal. They all said they would jump again. After the jump, each of them were given their wings by H.O.O.A.H. board member Steven Westphal with a simple message: “Welcome to the family.”

In my four years at Schneider, I have come to learn that Schneider is family and they prove this time and time again by supporting organizations in the community. Their support of organizations like 4th H.O.O.A.H Wisconsin allows associates — both military and civilian — the opportunity to get involved and continue to make this a stronger community.