A pair of Suncoast veterans are helping fellow veterans grapple with recovery

PARRISH, Fla. (WWSB) - As we honor the brave servicemen and women who sacrificed everything for our great nation this Memorial Day, we also want to recognize a pair of Suncoast veterans working to help their fellow veterans that are grappling with recovery.

A band of brothers is working to help serve our nation’s heroes that are wrestling with the transition from combat to everyday life.

Nick and Eric Frick were the only brothers ever to be deployed from the Olympic Training Center into combat. They served our nation in Iraq, and recognized a need when they returned home.

“So when I got back from overseas, I’ve always wrestled, and wrestling was a key for me to get my therapy,” Eric Frick said.

The brothers soon realized that one of the best ways to transition from post-combat to everyday life is through the medium of combat sports, wrestling in particular.

“The wrestling really helps them with the physical aspect and the spiritual aspect,” Nick Frick said.

“It’s a whole-health approach to recovery,” he added.

Nick Frick worked with veterans battling issues like PTSD for close to two decades. He served on the Veterans Affairs Board for five years, focusing on veterans recovery as a certified mental health professional.

“You develop a really great support system,” Frick said.

“You always have someone to talk to. You’re not alone,” he added.

“I love what they’re doing with vets,” Andrew Cleveland said.

A veteran of the U.S. Marines Corps, Cleveland participates in wrestling through the foundation, and has his son involved with Frick Brothers Wrestling Academy and the program as well.

I love how they’re integrating combat sports to help with PTSD, and help vets sort of recover,” he added.

“When you see them out there with their kids, coaching their kids, they’re out there on the mat, it just keeps that whole camaraderie,” Eric Frick added.

“You leave here with a euphoric feeling,” Cleveland said.

“Getting on the mat, you feel good. Not thinking about some of those things that are weighing on you heavy,” he added.

The Frick Brothers’ goal is to raise enough funds for a building for their foundation, to serve veterans and the area youth through wrestling.

Though the program is in it’s early stages, they’re already seeing results.

“It just hits different knowing they’re on the right path now, not going down the wrong road,” Eric Frick said.

“It’s amazing to see it help change their lives, and give them some hope, and get them on the right path,” Nick Frick said.

“And have people call me and say ‘Hey Nick, you helped save my life,’” he added.

If you’re interested in donating to the War Memorial Foundation Corp, here is a QR Code the brothers provided: