Georgia Aquarium gives vets a healing swim experience in ‘three oceans -’ its 6M-gallon tank

The Georgia Aquarium gave veterans a chance for a unique, healing experience on Veterans Day - a swim with all sorts of marine life in its 6-million-gallon Ocean Voyager tank.

“The look on their faces is just, uh, it sends chills through your body because you’re like, yep, yep, they experienced it, they get it now,” Jason Bush, Manager, Military Salute Program at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

At first glance, a swim with sharks, whales, manta rays, schooling fish and a whole lot of other marine life is a curious way to honor and thank vets for their service.

“I’m a little bit nervous. I’m not going to lie about it. I never jumped in a shark tank,” said Nat, one of the veterans who prepared to jump into the water.

But, once you know, you know. Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder say that dealing with the condition often involved putting you mind to work - and new experiences help.

“That’s what overcoming injuries from PTSD is all about, is getting out of your head, and this is 100% out of your head,” said Carl Hill, a veteran who took part. “Like you’re in a strange new place. It’s just like magical.”

Bush said the aquarium wanted to do what it could to try to pay back people who did so much for the country.

“I like to say that we don’t just change somebody’s afternoon when they come here with their families,” he said. When they’re here and in this exhibit, it often changes their complete outlook.”

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