JAMES HATCH, former special ops Navy SEAL, will discuss his book Touching the Dragon: And Other Techniques for Surviving Life’s Wars on Wednesday, May 30 at 7 pm at Books & Co. at The Greene, 4453 Walnut Street, Dayton.
After detailing many of his experiences during 24 years in service to our country, he writes of the harrowing mission when his SEAL team crew was attempting to rescue a rogue soldier – Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl – during which Hatch suffered severe wounds that ended his military career. Coming home after all those years in special operations missions was difficult for him; leading to despair, alcoholism and the pull toward suicide. Finally through the love of family, friends, soldiers, and his specially trained military dogs, he found a purpose in going on. By “touching the dragon” he found his way back.
During his adjustment to life in the States, he realized how important his specially trained military dogs were to him in his war years and could be again. He started the Spike’sK9Fund, which is dedicated to his K9 dog called Spike who was killed in war action. This fund is a national 501©3 non-profit organization focused on providing protective vests for police and SWATK9s. The fund also rehabs K9 agility courses used to train police dogs. Information about this group will be available at the event.
