- February 7, 2025
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It wasn’t too long after Aaron Tucker had returned home from participating in a 31-mile walk to remember military lives lost that he was headed out once again for another good cause.
This time, the Port Orange resident and his German Shepherd Falco were headed to Connecticut to make a 22-mile kayaking trip to New York to raise awareness for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The 22 miles was meant to represent the roughly 22 veterans that were reported to die by suicide each day, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2013.
Money raised from the journey went toward the Brian Bill Foundation Warrior Healing Programs, which provides treatment for PTSD in addition to mild traumatic brain injuries and chronic pain.
Bill had previously joined Tucker for 31 Miles for 31 Heroes, the 31-mile walk to commemorate the lives lost during Extortion 17 when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down by enemy fire in Afghanistan on Aug. 6, 2011. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 30 active duty military members and one military working dog.
Bill’s son, Chief Petty Officer Brian R. Bill, 31, a member of SEAL Team Six, was among them.
At 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31, Tucker, Falco, Scott Bill of the Brian Bill Foundation and several veterans set out in their kayaks from Bridgeport, Conn., and began paddling for Long Island, N.Y.
They pushed through discomfort, tiredness and, in some places, waves that were around six to eight feet high. At one point, because of the waves, Tucker had to put Falco on a chase boat that was following them for safety.
However, five hours later the group reached their destination, two hours ahead of schedule.
Falco, life jacket on, was back in his owner's kayak as they made the last leg of the journey. The German Shepherd is a vital part of what Tucker does to help veterans and first responders.
“Falco traveling with me opens up doors for people,” Tucker said. “It opens up conversation in a much easier way because a lot of veterans have experienced massive amounts of trauma.”
That was why the group was out on the water — to help those who are suffering in various ways and in different areas.
Now, Bill and Tucker are continuing to give back, together and on their own.
For Tucker, incorporating Falco into what he does has not only provided a way to have dialogue but to help individuals suffering from PTSD to work through their anxiety and talk about what they are going through.
Tucker also hopes that by having a canine companion, he can encourage veterans and first responders with PTSD to do more and move past their struggles.
“The mission with Falco is really two things: changing lives one dog at a time and saving lives one dog at a time,” Tucker said. “His mission really is to inspire people and change their lives.”
