Sunshine Sentinel

John “GiddyUp” Bunch is a force of nature.

Since 2005, the veterans assistance group he founded, Operation Open Arms, has provided more than $20.1 million in free benefits to military members and their families through a network of business and volunteer contributions. The organization is run completely by volunteers who receive no compensation.

“Operation Open Arms has no paid salaries,” Bunch told Sunshine Sentinel. “Every individual or business owner gives of their own time and money." 

Doug Suter | Submitted

He is a former Marine Corps officer who operated a charter fishing service and still does a lot of fishing with friends — when he is not helping veterans and their families, raising money or talking to reporters, filling notepads and making sure the public is aware of his mission.

There’s no stopping Bunch, 75, who is on a mission that started in 2005 when he met U.S. Army soldier Travis Downes at a St. James City bar, Fort Myers Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin reported. The young man wanted to go fishing before he returned to Iraq, and he recognized the well-known local figure.

Faster than you can say “giddyup,” Bunch canceled a paid trip he was to give the next day and, instead, took Downes out. That sparked an idea that ended up as Operation Open Arms.

Doug Suter, Operation Open Arms’ co-founder who serves as a board member, said Bunch also created the Operation Open Arms mental health network.

“Historically the VA hospitals were not super-efficient at getting military members in the door and military members were reluctant to seek mental health counseling at the VA hospitals for fear that it would go on their military record,” Suter told Sunshine Sentinel. “Operation Open Arms provides same-day mental health counseling to any military member that seeks us out.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a very common condition for many veterans after military service. It affects between 11%  to 15% of veterans who served in Iraq, the Gulf War or in Vietnam, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mental health is a growing problem among military members. The Department of Defense’s 2020 Annual Suicide Report stated that 580 service member deaths were attributed to suicide throughout the year, representing an increase over the reported 498 suicide deaths in 2019, Oswego County News Now reported Oct. 6.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America reported that calls to their mental health hotline went up 80% between Aug. 16 and Aug. 31 compared to last year, North Country Public Radio reported Oct. 1. Military suicides increased by 15% last year, the Associated Press reported Sept. 30.

“In 2011, more U.S. troops were taking their own lives than the Taliban and Al Qaeda combined,” Bunch said. “My instincts directed me to address this issue immediately as to this day I still see the horrific sight of a body washed up on a beach in South Carolina as a 8-year-old. I see it every single day. Common sense directed me to do something.”

He said Operation Open Arms has figured out that the more time anyone has to contemplate the unthinkable is “a recipe for disaster” that can be prevented with awareness and timely assistance.

“PTSD and PTS are complicated,” he said. “I am nothing more than a professional fishing guide and former USMC officer with abundant common sense. Time to think in times of crisis when nothing makes sense is very difficult if you have never been pushed to the extreme. With whom do you speak in times of crisis? OOA is a great option. OOA finds this person for you.”

A 2005 “Today Show” appearance boosted the organization’s national profile.

Since then, it has provided 4,388 free three- to five-day vacations upon return from combat and 103 free full-service weddings, while offering assistance with 39 funerals for Operation Open Arms alumni.

“I’ve never been able to keep up with the demands,” Bunch said. “OOA has no Democrats or Republicans. Everyone subscribes to doing one thing really well: affording U.S. servicemen ans women every possible act of tangible kindness possible. Nothing is based on politics or religion. OOA has been a miracle for so many.”

Some resulted in cheers.

“There have been defining moments in our 16-year history,” Bunch said. “This was one of those — the longest standing ovation in Boston Red Sox spring training history.”

In 2011, the Red Sox wanted to recognize wounded U.S. Army war heroes Spc. Michael Araujo and Pfc. Corey Kent. Both received autographed jerseys from the team, according to Operation Open Arms website.

Kent, who was learning to adapt to life on a pair of prosthetic legs, was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Bunch delivered a jersey to him.

Araujo, who who based at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia. Bunch decided to have him throw out a first pitch at a spring training game, but Araujo was scheduled to return to the base to have five teeth extracted on the day of the game.

That wasn’t about to stop Bunch, who persuaded the soldier’s first sergeant to rearrange the dental appointment. That done — few if any can stand in the way of the determined Bunch — Araujo stepped onto the field and fired a first pitch. Due to his excitement, the ball ended up against the backstop, but the crowd erupted in cheers and applause anyway.

Bunch has always been a determined person who just won’t accept no as an answer.

“One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was to never break a promise (via any lame excuse) as my parents always did per taking me to the car races in Darlington, South Carolina,” he recalled. “At 12, I ran away from home and hitchhiked 163 miles, Isle of Palms to Darlington. It was freedom as I’ve never known. This background is provided because I promised a Army Ranger and his son fishing on a GiddyUp Fishing.”

President George W. Bush extended an invitation to Bunch when he was visiting Florida and Bunch accepted it. But then he realized he had promised to take the soldier and his son out that day, so he was forced to choose. It was an easy decision for him: He took the father and son fishing, of course, according to GiddyUp Fishing Charters website. 

“Bush felt bent out of shape at the perceived slight,” Bunch said. “General Mark Milley spoke of this matter (during another ‘Today Show’ report on OOA) in 2016.”

Suter said post-traumatic stress disorder in the military hit the public eye in 2009 after a Wall Street Journal article about U.S. Army Major General Mark Graham, who had two sons in the military.

“One son died in combat and the other son committed suicide believed related to combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder,” Suter said.

“Operation Open Arms operates primarily in Florida and Maryland, however through the media and word of mouth, many military members across the U.S. come to Florida,” he said. “It is a recognized 501(c)(3) charity. Since 2005, Operation Open Arms and its member businesses and volunteers have provided $19 million in free benefits to military members and their families. OOA has proved free limos to and from the RSW airport, free fishing, free golf, free haircuts, free hotel stays, free lunches/dinners, free mental health counseling, free all-expense-paid weddings — you name it.”

The men and women it has assisted have expressed their gratitude in videos and letters, some of which are posted on the group's website.

“The website documents our countless miracles. OOA does not beg or solicit,” Bunch said. “I cannot even imagine how we have done all of this except to place all credit and acknowledgment to our 328 volunteers and sponsors. All 328 are on my iPhone."

“I’m like a pathetically poor Oprah Winfrey. Instead of writing a check, I ask one of 328 if they wish to serve,” he said. “Please forgive for having no explanation why they always say ‘Yes. No problem.’ It has humbled and astonished me.”

Operation Open Arms has received distinguished public service medals from every branch of the military, Suter said.

“In 2016, John was awarded the U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award by U.S. Army General Mark Milley,” he said. “In 2018, I accepted on behalf of Operation Open Arms the U.S. Navy Distinguished Public Service Medal at Ft. Myers Beach from Congressman Francis Rooney."

Suter, 59, an attorney and senior counsel at Taft in Columbus, Ohio, said publicity and media attention are crucial to its success. He and Bunch have been friends for 20 years and share a passion for helping veterans.

“Stories like this will help keep Operation Open Arms relevant and in the public eye so that we can continue to help our military members,” he said. “Hopefully in five years we will still be helping the military.”

Bunch said 4,393 American servicemen and women have received $20.1 million in benefits since Operation Open Arms was founded 16 years ago.

“No political or religious affiliation. No debt. No salaries. And no complaints ever registered to the states of Florida, Maryland, the Better Business Bureau or OOA,” he said. “No leaks in our ship. I’m done. The stories are endless. Lastly, God commissioned me to do this and reminded me 6,245 times of my never-quit constitution. I have never been deeply religious but now I have two titles — reverend and captain.”