06/10/2026
Our guest on the Hometown Heroes Podcast is retired United States Army Veteran Frank Aguilar, whose life of service did not end when he took off the uniform.
Frank served two deployments in Iraq and two deployments in Afghanistan. After retiring from the Army, he continued looking for ways to serve others while also pursuing something he loved, kayak fishing.
That combination led Frank and several others to help establish a Heroes on the Water chapter near Fort Hood, Texas, now serving the Killeen area.
Through Heroes on the Water, Frank became involved with additional therapeutic kayaking and fishing programs supporting military members and Veterans, including the III Corps Soldier Recovery Unit Therapeutic Program and the Temple VA Therapeutic Program.
Frank is not only a leader, he is a teacher at heart. Whether he is helping someone learn to kayak fish or teaching military members and Veterans the art of building their own fishing rods, Frank continues finding ways to bring people together, share his knowledge, and serve those who have served our country.
In this episode, we talk about Frank’s Army career, his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the transition from military life, his passion for kayak fishing, and how that passion became another way to serve Veterans and members of the military community.
We’ll also explore the mission of Heroes on the Water and how time outdoors, fishing, camaraderie, and shared experiences can bring Veterans together.
Learn more about Heroes on the Water and find a chapter near you at:
heroesonthewater.org
Join Rick Irving and Mary Staffeld for another episode of:
Hometown Heroes Podcast
The Voice of Heroes. The Voice For Heroes.
If you have participated in Heroes on the Water, kayak fishing, or another outdoor Veteran program, tell us about your experience in the comments.
