Meet the Soldiers Freedom Outdoors Team
Our Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers, whose goal is to empower our service members and veterans, through outdoor activities and fellowship.
Dan DiMarco - Chairman
Dan served his country in the US Army National Guard. An accident outside of the service, cut short his military career. Dan’s passion for serving never left him, and he searched for a mechanism to fulfill that desire. He found an outlet to continue to support our troops by creating Soldiers Freedom Outdoors, a non-profit organization, in 2011. Soldiers Freedom Outdoors provides horseback riding, horsemanship, fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking and other outdoor adventures. Dan believes that nature provides a venue for our troops to relax, rejuvenate their minds and regain resilience.
Dan, the “outdoor guy,” has a background in horse training, was co-owner of a landscape company, and has worked for 19 years in the RV industry. Currently he is the owner of the Consignment Group, which focuses on the RV re-sale market . He has been riding horses, fishing and hunting his entire life.
Because of the participation and positive feedback, Dan envisions continued growth and establishing new Soldiers Freedom Outdoors chapters throughout the country.
Dan is excited about what the future holds for the organization and the number of lives that will be empowered.
Gail DiMarco - Board Member
Gail DiMarco joined the Freedom Outdoors Board of Directors in 2012.
Gail says, “the privilege of serving on the Board gives me the opportunity to give back to all of our military. As a daughter of a career military father I realize the sacrifice my Dad made while serving our country. I am constantly in awe of the courage and commitment our soldiers demonstrate at home and abroad. Giving back is something that every American should do.”
Jason Bucy - Executive Board Member
Jason Bucy served from 1997 to 2004 in the Indiana Army National Guard and the United States Army. Prior to entering active duty he was a 13E, Cannon Fire Direction Control on M198 towed Howitzers. While on active duty he reclassified to 67T (15T) Blackhawk Helicopter
Repairer. With one tour at K-16 Song Nam Air Base in South Korea. As a proud member of A Co 5/101 he was deployed to Iraq in 2003. While deployed he received 2 Air Medals and 4 Army Commendation Medals. He was honorably discharged in August of 2004 and received his Airframe and Powerplant License to maintain aircraft.
In 2006 he went to work for the Department of State, Air Wing Division, in Colombia South
America on the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Aerial Eradication Division. This division was tasked
with spraying the coca fields that supplied the base for manufacturing cocaine in an attempt to
slow or eradicate the production of cocaine, human trafficking, and the exchange of money that
supported local terrorist organizations.
In 2008 he was employed with Blackwater Aviation and Presidential Airways and was
subsequently deployed to Afghanistan. While in country Blackwater/Presidential Airways was
responsible for moving mail, medicine, ammunition, food and troops across the battlefield. He
opened multiple Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan where Blackwater was stationed. The
FOB’s opened were Sharana, Shindan, Stone, Bastion and Bagram. He was also stationed at
Kandahar while deployed to Afghanistan. In late 2012 Jason returned home for good.
In June 2017 he married his best friend, nurse, and home therapist Heidi. Before he met her he
was a single father still struggling with the “hidden wounds of war”. The flashbacks causing him
to scream at his door in the middle of the night or the triggers that caused anxiety were still a
common occurrence. Since he met Heidi in 2016 and Dan DiMarco shortly there after those
wounds have all but healed. Jason understands that having the right people like Soldiers
Freedom Outdoors and wonderful friends that are understanding will help control the anxiety of
everyday life. He is looking forward to giving back to our veterans and giving them opportunities
to move on from the battlefield and adjusting to everyday civilian life.
JIM MILAM - Executive Board member
Jim Milam is a retired army veteran.
He's a loving father of three wonderful children and two grandchildren. Jim was recipient of our program at soldiers Freedom Outdoors after which he decided to volunteer full time. Jim has run our fishing program for 3 years and as of 2022 was invited to join the executive board. He is a huge asset and we are happy to have him.
CINDY WITTENBERG - EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER, Mississippi Leadership and Retreat Coordinator
I was born and raised in Southwest Florida. I met my husband when I was 13 years old. I was married at 19. Before I married my husband, Kevin, I didn’t really have a full understanding of the military. My dad served in Vietnam long before I was ever thought about. Kevin and I married in 2002 in Fayetteville North Carolina, he had already been in the military a few years. He joined the Army National Guard in 1997 and became active in 2000. We were stationed at Fort Bragg North Carolina during all four of his deployments; Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan again for 15 months. He was deployed every other year until we left. We left NC in 2009 to move to Mississippi where Kevin was stationed at Camp Shelby for a teaching position. It wasn’t until we moved to MS that I really became aware of the effects the military has on our soldiers. PTSD not only affected Kevin but me as well. Kevin was medically retired in 2013 after a long fight to stay in.
Kevin and I will be married for 21 years this November. We have 3 amazing children (24, 20 and 17). We are living in Petal, Mississippi.
I have had the privilege of being a part of some amazing organizations over the years. I have done suicide awareness walks; I have been a peer coordinator and an advocate. It wasn’t until early April 2019 that I received a message from a friend letting me know that Soldiers Freedom Outdoors was looking for a client care specialist and it could be done remotely. I reached out to the late Mrs. Gail to inquire about the position. After a short time talking to her, she spoke to the board, and they agreed to have me join as the retreat coordinator. I had never felt so at home or ever been welcomed with open arms by a stranger before. Mrs. Gail was truly amazing; I only wish I would have had the opportunity to meet her in person. I have been with SFO ever since.
SFO extended to Mississippi in 2022, Kevin and I are honored to be able to run this extension. Daniel and the SFO team are so supportive, we are a family. It takes a whole team to make an organization like this function, we could not ask for a better one. I appreciate the opportunity and am so humbled to be on board. I love giving back and helping others and the military will always be a huge part of our lives. I hold a special place in my heart for all our Veterans. It wasn’t until recently that I really knew I was doing exactly what I was meant to do. Knowing that you have somehow touched the lives of others is a wonderful feeling. This is where my heart is.
Heidi Bucy - Secretary / Treasurer
While not being a native of Florida, I have spent more than 25 years in Citrus County, FL and am the mother of four amazing children. I spent 15 years as a Medical Assistant and have a passion for people and helping them whenever possible. Even though I no longer work in the medical field, I continue to develop friendships with patients I cherish. I am now a receptionist at a Pest Control Company and love it. It is something different and I am able to not only dedicate myself to my job but to my family as well.
In 2016, I met Jason, the man of my dreams and married him in 2017. I always had admiration and respect for our Country and those who have put their lives on the line to protect our way of life. However, I never understood the feelings, thoughts and battles that these men and women endure during and after military life until I met Jason. The stories from not only him but his daughters as well gave me a better understanding of military life, sacrifice, nightmares and flash backs. I never personally had never had to deal with someone who had PTSD, but my love for Jason is unconditional and we cope with this affliction together.
I decided to introduce Jason to a very good friend of mine, Dan DiMarco. I have known Dan for more than 20 years and thought that between Dan and The Soldiers Freedom Outdoors this may be what he needs to help “Heal his Hidden Wounds of War,” and it did just that. Jason and I are dedicated to showing other Veterans and their families what SFO has done for our family.
My greatest accomplishments in life are my wonderful children and my marriage. With them, I am able to dedicate more time to SFO and its activities. I cherish the fact that our children are eager to help as volunteers and learn the effects that war has had on the soldiers and their families. I am particularly proud when they see a smile on a WWII Veteran when they thank them for their service. Volunteering will help them understand why SFO does what they do and continue the education to a new generation.
Matthew Markel - Board Member
Matthew Markel served active-duty Army at Fort Lewis and Deployed with 5th BDE 2nd ID in 2009. He currently serves in the Army Reserve as a Drill Sergeant. Matthew began as a volunteer for Soldiers Freedom Outdoors in 2019. He has since helped on several projects to include the construction of the tack room in the barn where the equine program now takes place.
During Matthew’s time on active-duty and his deployment he saw firsthand what combat does to Veterans and the impact is has on them and their families. Matthew continued after his deployment to find ways to talk to and help fellow Veterans find help and someone or someplace to find comfort and peace from War.
As a Drill Sergeant and Noncommissioned Officer of the US Army, Matthew continues to mentor Soldiers. He spends time searching for answers and recourses for those Soldiers who need additional help. He is dedicated to the Professionalism and Discipline of the Army.
Matthew’s time at Soldiers Freedom Outdoors is spent making repairs to fences, cleaning roofs, cutting trees, working with horses, setting up for events and looking for new ways to improve Soldiers Freedom Outdoors.
“The one thing I really love about SFO is the peace and time outside. I can come there to either relax with a horse, sit on the dock and fish or walk around the many trails. Whether I am fixing a fence or talking with Friends over dinner I have always felt welcomed and at home at Soldiers Freedom Outdoors. Dan has been a great Friend and Brother to me, especially when just needing someone who talk to or ride around on the ATV getting horse and avoiding getting run over by cows putting them into the trailers.”
“I truly feel that SFO is a home when I can call no other Place Home!”
Bob Rose - Board Member
I was born in Detroit, MI. in 1962, where my father worked for the Chrysler Corp. and mother worked for the US Navy.
As a paperboy in Metro Detroit, I would get up at 4 AM, read the paper and deliver to over 100 customers. During that time, I enjoyed listening to the many radio stations Detroit and Canada offered, news mixed with music and that exposure fed my interest in sharing information and desire to be on the radio.
At age 15, we moved to Florida, where I graduated from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda and met the love of my life, Rhonda. Rhonda’s dad was an Air Force pilot, Vietnam veteran and served for 20 years. I have the highest respect for him and my granddad, who served in the US Navy during WWII and spent the rest of his years working at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
Pursuing my love for information and news as a young paperboy, I am now enjoying a wonderful radio career, serving for the last 17 years as the morning show host of WSKY 97.3 FM radio Gainesville and surrounding area.
I have always admired the warrior mindset of our military and willingness to sacrifice for our nation. Now is my opportunity to give back and appreciate the hard-fought freedoms that we enjoy, serving on the board at Soldiers Freedom Outdoors. It is my pleasure to do my small part to help and heal our Warriors. I am grateful and feel blessed for the opportunity.
Ben Baxley - Board Member
Ben was born in South Carolina, where he lived until entering the Marine Corps in 1992. Soldiers Freedom Outdoors provided him and his family a few opportunities while on active duty, and he now serves this great organization bringing over 20 years of military experience with him.
During his time in the Marines he had multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, while also serving extensively throughout the Middle East. He has extensive humanitarian experience as well.
Ben brings a lot of energy to our organization and possesses the unique ability to synergize our team in many ways. Having worked in the trenches and getting his hands dirty for many years, he understands the importance of mission accomplishment and hard work.
Ben had the opportunity to mentor and lead hundreds of young men throughout his career, and is very driven to continue that same support to veterans who have served this great country. He understands what it means to serve his country, and the sacrifice that our military members make every day, while protecting the freedoms we so dearly love as Americans.
Ben attended college at Central Texas College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Ben works full time for a Fortune 250 company and contributes a vast majority of his free time to our organization. We are pleased to have Ben on our team.
BENJAMIN REED REICHENBACH Sr. - Board Member
Born and raised in Pennsylvania. Started my military career in the Air Force in 1962, after training to be an aircraft mechanic, I served 2 tours in Vietnam.
Last 5 years served in Law enforcement at Moody Air Force Base in air base ground defense and as a state game warden. I also studied law while at Moody.
I retired from the Air Force in 1982, and used the GI Bill for career training and job reentry. For 17 years I worked for the Valdosta School System as a transportation director.
Relocated to Jacksonville Florida in 2003. I stayed active and worked with my oldest son renovating homes.
I met Dan Dimarco and Soldiers Freedom Outdoors 8 years ago. I believe in their mission statement of Healing The Wounds of War. I can easily relate to that. I have gladly assisted in many projects for the development of Soldiers Freedom Outdoors. This has given me purpose for my life. And I have enjoyed every minute of it!
My goal is to be an asset for this very important cause in that there are more hurting veterans than we even imagine. COME JOIN US!!!!!!!!!
Charissa Fontan Westfall - Board Member
I am the surviving widow of Jacques Fontan, Chief Petty Officer and member of SEAL Team 10. He was KIA on June 28, 2005 in the rescue operation associated with the acclaimed story of Operation Red Wing.
I am always honest and tell everyone that day turned my life upside down. My dreams of being happy on earth, having a family with Jacques were crushed, left me without hope and a future. Through the help of family and friends and several foundations, today I say my life is a picture of restoration and hope.
One of my favorite things to tell people is that God blessed me twice in life with love, and I married Drew Westfall in 2008. We’ve been blessed with 3 children over the last 9 years, and though it keeps me busy, I love being a mom. It was because of Drew’s encouragement to share my story and be a support to other surviving spouses, that I became involved in key foundations that help surviving spouses and veterans. My involvement has included work with the Special Ops Survivor Foundation, being on the board the Lone Survivor Foundation, working with the Boot Campaign, and I am currently part of Team Never Quit, and now also a part of Soldiers Freedom Outdoors, all in which all have made a difference in my continued healing, and that of others.
I have been a mentor for the SFO by working with women who’ve lost their husbands while serving in the military. I have work closely with the military nonprofits to raise awareness for the surviving spouses/families our veterans and our countries veterans.
Mike Fletcher - Board Member
Mike is a retired Navy Chief. He served as a aviation electronic warfare operator in 1973-1993 and is a Gold Star family member, having lost his son in-law in Operation Red Wing.
Mike is a successful business man working for the past 23 years as a Farm Bureau insurance agent in Keystone Heights Florida. He is married to his lovely wife Ardi for 41 years and has three children and 10 grandchildren.