A unique way to help veterans debuts this Fourth of July weekend: an obstacle course.

  • Course designed by veterans, for veterans
  • Goal is to help those with PTSD
  • More than 27,000 veterans in Citrus Co.

It’s designed by veterans for veterans in Citrus County and could help those suffering from PTSD.

Marine Corps Veteran Dan Hudock partnered with Citrus YMCA to do something for his fellow veterans.

"I wanted to do something for the community. And get other veterans involved. Because I know there is a lot that battle PTSD," Hudock said.

The obstacle course was the answer, especially for veterans coming back from war.

"You try to integrate back into society. Sometimes you need that release. This obstacle course can be that release," said Eric Keaton, an Army veteran who is now the marketing director for the YMCA.

YMCA wellness director Bill Coyle designed to course to make it familiar to what veterans experienced in training.

"If you have a veteran sitting on a bar stool every day, it’s probably not the best thing for them. We want to use their bodies and their minds. We want to stimulate them physically and mentally," Coyle said.

One reason organizers wanted this course in Citrus County is that there is a large veteran population here of all ages.

"We have over 27,000 veterans in Citrus. "So 1 out of every 5 individuals is a veteran," Coyle said.

Now the hope is this course will get them more involved in their community.

"It’s going to make them stronger. But it’s going to make them mentally stronger. That’s where people need help now," Hudock said.