March 1, 2018

Meet James Dolan, Andrea, and Pat Franklin of Overseas Fishing Inc.

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Dolan, Andrea, and Pat Franklin.

James, Andrea and Pat, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I came back from serving tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and found himself in a different mindset from the one he left behind in Florida years before he first deployed. Like a vast majority of those who return from serving overseas, Dolan began to realize the realities and struggles of a soldier returning back to civilian life. Dolan spent hours in waiting rooms and on examination tables at the local VA hospital simply seeking a peace of mind he hadn’t felt since before he first deployed at the ripe age of 21. “I knew we all came back with a different mind frame than the one we left behind in the States,” Dolan explains, “But I didn’t know what I was experiencing and feeling was going to affect me in my every-day life.” Dolan decided to look into an alternative treatment for two common war-related conditions: PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). He came across a type of treatment referred to as “recreational therapy,” a combination of traditional psychological therapy (i.e. medication, support groups, etc.) and traditional recreational activities—namely, fishing. “It’s a pretty simple concept to me,” Dolan says, “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that fishing makes me feel good. It brings me back to that happy place that I hadn’t felt since before I went overseas.” Dolan added, “My mind is at peace and I am doing something that takes me away from the things that happened when I was deployed. I figured it mightjust be good to share in my healing process with all my fellow soldiers who’ve served overseas.”

The mission of Overseas Fishing is simple: to bring veterans and their families out on the water for a relaxing day away from everyday life. Whether active, reserved, retired, or simply a supporter of the Armed Forces, Overseas Fishing is driven to provide veterans and their family members with a means of finding comfort and peace of mind that they may not have felt since before they or their loved ones were deployed.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There is nothing smooth when starting from scratch. Although, with great people around you you can make anything smooth. Our team dedicates its time and energy to make this vision become reality. in reality its about our men and women who served and who are currently serving this great nation America. Some of the greatest obstacles is spreading the word.

Overseas Fishing, Inc. – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Overseas Fishing, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designed in getting veterans of the armed forces out on the water fishing and to give them a day away to relax and let there guard down.

My role as President is to coordinate with the veterans and captains to book the trips. Reach out to potential new captains all over the state of Florida. I also work with companies for potential donations and sponsorship opportunities which I can’t thank enough so far. For Brian Draina at Allstate in Coral Springs, FL and Innovative Reel Technology.

The thing I am most proud about Overseas Fishing, Inc. is he fact that we get to help Americas hero’s. What sets us apart from others is that we are not just in south Florida we are reaching out across the coasts.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment is when we got to read a review after a veteran went out and said “fishing saved my life”.

Contact Info: