For Captain Rick Roberts, the water has always been home.
He grew up fishing the inland waters of Central Florida alongside his Father, a retired Navy Commander and his greatest mentor. Those early days taught him not just how to cast a line or read the tides, but how the water itself can heal. It became their sacred space: a place of connection, peace, and presence.
When his father passed away, Rick carried on both the love of fishing and his Father’s legacy of service. With over 40 years of inshore fishing experience, he built a charter business, guiding families and friends to create unforgettable memories on the water. Every trip mattered. Every laugh, every catch, every story shared – Rick treated it as sacred.
But something inside him kept tugging. As he guided charters, he felt called to give back to those who had given so much: our veterans and first responders.
He began offering free fishing trips to them, knowing many could never afford a charter of their own.
The response was overwhelming. Each time he posted an opening, hundreds of veterans and first responders applied. Men and women battling PTSD, families longing for joy, heroes who hadn’t smiled in years – all hoping for just one day of peace on the water.
Rick could only take out four at a time. Reading through 200-300 requests and having to say no to so many broke his heart. And worse, when wheelchair-bound veterans reached out, Rick’s boat couldn’t safely support them. The thought of these heroes being excluded from the very healing he knew they deserved became unbearable.
“What started as a boy fishing with his dad became a movement to honor those who’ve sacrificed for us.”
Rick knew he had to do more.
“And so, Those Who Served Foundation was born.”
This nonprofit is the legacy of his Father, his decades on the water, and his devotion to those who have carried us all. Its mission: expand the fleet, create wheelchair-accessible vessels, and open the waterways to every veteran and first responder who longs for healing, joy, and connection.
Casting lines. Building bonds. Honoring service.
At Those Who Served Foundation, our mission is to honor and support Veterans and First Responders by providing healing, connection, and hope through the power of fishing. We believe that time on the water restores the mind, strengthens the spirit, and builds lasting bonds.
By creating opportunities to fish, learn, and share in the outdoors, we help those who served rediscover peace, resilience, and community.
“Every trip is more than a catch. It’s a lifeline.”
When a veteran feels peace again, a family heals.
When a first responder remembers peace, their community is strengthened.
Every single trip extends far beyond the water – it ripples outward, touching lives we may never see.
4 lives touched on every fishing charter.
Hundreds of families strengthened each year.
Countless ripples of healing flowing through our communities.
“When one hero heals, an entire family heals.”
Those who served our communities and country often carry unseen wounds. Fishing offers more than recreation—it provides peace, healing, and connection. Out on the water, veterans and first responders find relief from stress, rebuild camaraderie, and discover hope again.
We envision a fleet of boats – each one designed with accessibility at its core – so that wheelchair-bound veterans, first responders, and their families can join these life-changing trips.
We dream of expanding beyond South Carolina/North Carolina, creating chapters across the nation where waterways become pathways to healing.
With your help, the vision becomes reality.
Every dollar you give casts a lifeline—helping those who served find strength, renewal, and community.
Captain Rick,
I wanted to reach out to you to tell of the impact of the fishing trip that you had taken me on. First, thank you for the focus that you had told me of your charity; Those Who Served Foundation. Being a Marine, also 100% disabled there are things that I am very cautious about. Having high anxiety,PTSD, and stage 4 metastatic melanoma cancer the sun is always on my mind for outdoor activities.
The excitement that you had when we met to go out was very comforting and reminded me that I was in great hands and we were off to catch fish. The conversations of you learning my story and helping me understand “your mission” was very exciting. I enjoyed every minute of it! The best thing that has happened is that I caught a shark, with a little help but I will never tell. I will remember this forever.
Once again, thank you for what you have done for me and the best for your charity.
I had the pleasure of going out on the water with Those Who Serve Foundation. Captain Rick was wonderful. Great guy, who truly wants to make a difference in this world. He took care of everything from bait and fishing poles to snacks and drinks. I literally just had to show up. Being on the water brought me some inner peace in this chaotic life. I actually caught the biggest fish I’ve ever caught! I was also able to hang out with another disabled veteran that I plan on continuing a friendship with. So this experience was an extremely positive one for me. I hope other disabled veterans get the opportunity.
I had a great time with Captain Rick on the water. Capt Rick was patient in teaching me how to use saltwater rods and reels (I'm an old Zebco 33 fisherman) We managed to catch fish that included redfish, trout and sting rays. Absolute blast! Highly recommend Capt Rick and Those Who Served Foundation.
Your questions matter to us. If you’d like to know more about our fishing trips, volunteering, or how to support Those Who Served Foundation, fill out the form below — our team will be glad to help.
