Cnossen ’02 and Schmidt ’02 Help Ukrainian Refugees Process Trauma Through Mountain Climbing in Austrian Alps

Courage can be embodied in many ways, but sharing the United States Naval Academy principle of courage with Ukranian refugees in the Austrian Alps has become a higher mission for LtCol Nathan Schmidt ‘02, USMC. 

Schmidt created the Mountain Seed foundation, a group created to help families cope and heal through experiences in nature. Recently, the foundation and LtCol Schmidt have worked with Ukranian refugees to face their fears through their climbing camp. Schmidt is being joined by his USNA classmate, LCDR Daniel B. Cnossen '02, USN (Ret.), on the climbs. Cnossen, a Navy SEAL veteran and Paralympian who lost his legs to an improvised explosive device during a nighttime mission with his platoon in Afghanistan, was one of many guides and volunteers with the program. 

"My hope for them is that they can remember the achievement that they've had and I also hope they remember the stillness and the peace of these mountains," LtCol Schmidt said. "You can't hear the sounds of war here. You just close your eyes, and you feel like you could fly," said Schmidt. 

Learn more about LtCol Schmidt's efforts in the following 60 Minutes exclusive: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/climbing-camp-widows-children-60-minutes/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab5j&linkId=251072561&fbclid=IwAR3qKhY_IPkp9D8wLhFwrIPHW57rKmwsgE9RsWs7Uc2fI8uN2y7vnRndjaA