Guide On comes to Montana

By MIKE RICHESON

Bigfork Eagle

Behind the rising death toll of fallen soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are the spouses and children who get left behind.

When Army Major Matt Worrell, an Army helicopter pilot, was shot down and killed in Iraq in May 2006, his best friend James Clark realized that Maj. Worrell’s two boys, Jake and Luke, now faced a world without a father figure.

Out of Clark’s desire to help the children of America’s fallen heroes sprung GuideOn.org, an organization that takes the “little heroes” on a one-week adventure camp.

“We do anything that dads would normally do with their kids,” Clark said. “We bring in other males as role models. Sometimes we’ll dog pile and wrestle, or we’ll teach a young boy how to shake hands and look another man in the eye.”

The camps also are exercises in leadership and outdoor experiences.

Clark, who ran the first Guide On camp this May in San Diego, will hold another camp Aug. 14-21 near plains. Clark said there are two spots open for the camp. If anyone knows of a child who lost a parent because of the war, visit www.guideon.org for information.

Clark has made at least one fishing trip to Montana per year for the last 15 years. His love for northwest Montana and his connections in Bigfork led him to bring items for a silent auction this Friday through Sunday at the VFW in Bigfork.

At the auction will be authentic flag shoulder patches from uniforms and an authentic 3-inch-by-5-inch battle flag that went into combat in Iraq. The flag comes with a certificate of authenticity and is signed by an Army Special Forces pilot.

Clark began his military career by enlisting in the Air Force. For six years, he rose through the ranks until joining Air Force Special Forces as a crew chief for the then Top Secret Stealth Fighter.

He left the Air Force and got his degree at the University of Southern California. He had always wanted to become a pilot so he pursued his commission with the Army and flew Blackhawk helicopters. It was while in flight school that he met Matt Worrell.

Clark gained hundreds of combat hours in Bosnia and Panama, but left the Army in 2001 after becoming a Captain.

“I left to be a dad,” he said. “I was missing too many first steps and birthdays and anniversaries. It was a tough decision to make.”

He started his own construction company in San Diego, which quickly became a thriving business. But when his friend was killed, the idea of Guide On became too strong to ignore.

Clark hasn’t taken any contracts since April, and has been living off his savings while trying to launch his organization to help children.

“I believe this is so important,” Clark said. “It’s easy to get caught up in making money, but Guide On is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”

His first camp in May took place on Father’s Day, and Clark said the emotion of being with 14 children for the week was more than he expected.

One little boy who had lost his father, also a Blackhawk pilot, had a habit that wrenched on everybody’s hearts. His mother had frequently sent photos of their son to her husband serving in Iraq. Instead of teaching their son to say “Cheese!” the boy would say “Hi daddy.”

During the entire week, every time someone lined up the kids for a photo, the little boy would call out, “Hi daddy.”

Clark said he is hoping to find someone willing to donate 40 acres of land in northwest Montana for a permanent location for a Guide On camp. His big picture goal is to have numerous camp sites across the United States. He would also like to begin mentoring programs and a Last Wishes program.

The Last Wishes idea would fulfill the promises of soldiers who never came home, like taking a family four-wheeling through the desert.

Clark’s savings account may be dwindling, but his passion for helping children through Guide On certainly isn’t.

“This is the best thing I’ve ever done,” he said.

Anyone wishing to help Clark with Guide On may visit www.guideon.org for more information.