What started out as just dots bobbing on the Mississippi River slowly came into focus Saturday afternoon as three kayakers approached the boat landing in downtown Vicksburg, eager to take a much-needed break from a long trip for a worthy cause.

“The organization is called Warrior Expeditions and it started just over 10 years ago, and we help (U.S. military veterans) with PTSD and the struggles after that,” Aaron Hummerding explained.

Hommerding, of Minneapolis, was joined by fellow kayakers Thierry Baudoindajoux “Terry Bo,” of Lafayette, and Wendy Clough, a Maine native who currently lives in New Bern, N.C., and the trio has been slowly making its way from the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota to its mouth in Louisiana. Vicksburg being their most recent stop, the three were hosted over the weekend by the Southern Heritage Air Foundation (SHAF) – which operates a World War II museum at Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport in Delta and takes part in a plethora of events that support veterans.

All three kayakers served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Hommerding served in the Navy; Baudoindajoux served in the Army; Clough served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“There’s six of us paddling the river this year and there’s a group that biked across the U.S.,” Hommerding said. “Those are the groups on missions of support right now.”

SHAF President Patty Mekus said hosting the trio was a privilege for her organization and something they look forward to doing again soon when a second wave of kayakers make their way through Vicksburg.

“This is our fifth time to host the Warrior paddlers with the Warrior Expedition,” Mekus said. “Layne Logue actually initiated our involvement a couple of years ago by talking to (SHAF founder) Dan Fordice about what he was doing to help Warrior Expeditions. We are proud to have a veteran support budget for just this type of thing.”

Mekus said SHAF provided the paddlers with lodging, meals and a visit to the Vicksburg National Military Park.

“It’s a group effort,” Mekus said of hosting the kayakers. “It’s a great way for us to represent the area and show America’s heroes gratitude for protecting us and our families. SHAF is very proud to host them on a small stopover on their journey.”

Mekus said the trio was back in the water by lunch Sunday and was aiming to make it to Natchez before this week’s bad weather arrives.

The second group of kayakers with Warrior Expeditions is expected to arrive in Vicksburg in approximately three weeks.