EXTREME SEAL ADVENTURES
Web Developer credits fourteen-year project as emotional pinnacle of his career
From left: Don and Diane Shipley with Terry Young, CEO of Internet Marketing and Design, in the natural beauty
Technical Gurus know the ins and outs of what
websites can accomplish, but few know the satisfaction of helping create
a series of sites that led to a "service above self" experience. Terry
Young, CEO of Internet Marketing and Design based in Chesapeake, is
exuberant after visiting the Warriors Rest Retreat founded by his
retired Navy SEAL clients.
"Over
the last fourteen years I have had the honor of creating websites for
Don Shipley, a retired Navy SEAL Senior Chief," Terry says with
humility. Their adventure involved launching a civilian SEAL training
program called Extreme SEAL Experience (ESE).
Both
Don and Diane come from military families and served themselves. The
retired Navy SEAL Senior Chief's affinity for the culture of the Armed
Forces has been ingrained by his heritage. His father, uncles, and
brothers all spent time defending the country. Don Shipley, Sr., his
dad, was a U.S. Air Command fighter pilot and Don's wife Diane's father
was a member of the landing party that stormed Normandy Beach during
World War II.
Don
retired from the Navy after 24 years, 20 of which were with the SEALS.
The Shipleys' next adventure involved launching a civilian SEAL training
program called Extreme SEAL Experience (ESE).
"I have never been more proud
to have been a part of something
so inspiring. I experienced the fruition
of my clients' dream..."
to have been a part of something
so inspiring. I experienced the fruition
of my clients' dream..."
- Terry Young
A
relationship cultivated between the Shipley's and Terry Young and it
was key to ESE's success. "The website we created for the program placed
it on page one in Google and surpassed the number of searches for the
Navy SEAL program," Terry pointed out.
"We
taught both civilians and SEAL cadets and allowed them to experience an
extraordinarily fun and extraordinarily tough training," Don recalls.
"The courses attracted a lot of extreme sports types, and people who
wanted to challenge themselves." Don safely trained over 3,000 people
during this decade-long experience with ESE.
Ten
years later, Don retired from the ESE training program. He notes, "I
was getting too old and the work is very dangerous. I had time for
retirement, and it was the right time to take it."
Don
and Diane asked us for a new, different website- a kind of mini-YouTube
that they could control." Terry explains. The subscription-based website
Videos.ExtremeSealExperience.com was created, and quickly garnered
members from all over the world. Don and Diane upload videos daily and
members enjoy a community atmosphere where they can interact with each
other in a fun environment.
In
2015, a fortuitous speaking engagement at the Grand National Water Fowl
Association triggered a significant milestone in Don and Diane's life.
During that gathering, they learned about a piece of property on the
market that was ideal for duck and goose hunting. With a vision for the
future, the couple sold everything they had and bought this 80-acre
farm.
"This
exciting turn led to a new website," Terry Young points out, "And when
the series of sites led to ExtremeSealAdventures.org, it led to the
pinnacle of my career."
This
acquisition was the fulfillment of a dream for the Shipleys, who had
longed for an opportunity to provide a respite to wounded warriors and
their families. They called this retreat "Warriors Rest." In making this
dream a reality, Don says, "We knew there were three things to worry
about: how we are going to feed, house, and entertain them. We knew how
to throw one hell of a party and were sure the details work themselves
out."
The resort atmosphere they provide for wounded
warriors and their families is conveniently located near Walter Reed
National Military Medical Center and Bethesda Medical Center. The
property came with a house and a barn that had a four-bedroom apartment
with all the amenities, including a washer and dryer, fully stocked
kitchen and two full bathrooms. To help improve the chances of good
hunting for deer, wild turkeys, ducks and geese, space is set aside for
growing millet, sorghum, and other crops that feed the wildlife.
"Giving
soldiers a chance to decompress," Don notes, "is one of the reasons why
Warriors Rest exists. They can relax and go hunting, kayaking, fishing,
and crabbing with other former military personnel and their families in
a tranquil setting. We enjoy helping out in this small way- in
comparison to the sacrifices made by wounded soldiers and their
families."
"ESA
does not take a dime from our guests," Don notes. "Our biggest expense
is replanting the plot of land dedicated to giving animals a place to
eat." Donations cover this nonprofit organization's operating expenses.
"Diane
and I have been successful at everything we've touched through hard
work, dedication, and attention to the smallest details. ESA is our
crowning achievement," Don concludes.
"Giving soldiers a chance to decompress
is one of the reasons
why Warriors Rest exists.
They can relax and go hunting,
kayaking, fishing, and crabbing
...in a tranquil setting."
is one of the reasons
why Warriors Rest exists.
They can relax and go hunting,
kayaking, fishing, and crabbing
...in a tranquil setting."
- Don Shipley
"My wife Nikki and I recently returned from a visit to Warriors Rest," the webmaster explains. "I have never been more proud to have been a part of something so inspiring. I experienced the fruition of my clients' dream to provide a free retreat for combat-injured military veterans and their families when visiting the retreat in the beautiful countryside of Cambridge, Maryland."
"Don's
crowning achievement coincides with my own feelings about being part of
something so worthwhile," Terry Young exudes. "What began fourteen
years ago as part of a worthwhile series of websites, culminated with
immense satisfaction from a job well-done in every aspect of this
project. When the Shipleys invited Nikki and me to come visit the
retreat, we could not have imagined a more fitting resort for these
heroes and their families."
"Yes," the web guru adds, "a crowning achievement."
"Yes," the web guru adds, "a crowning achievement."
ExtremeSealAdventures.org
Videos.ExtremeSealExperience.com
Videos.ExtremeSealExperience.com
Extreme Seal Adventures/Warriors Rest
5701 Bar Neck Road
Cambridge, MD 21613
757-560-2315
extremesealadventures.org
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