As a Navy man, I have a soft spot in my heart for fellow sailors. As a child of the 80s who grew up watching Charlie Sheen in Navy SEALs, I always had a fondness for the frogmen. My experiences with them during my time in service only solidified it.

It seems that the good folks over at Spike’s Tactical and Pipe Hitter’s Union as well as the Pipe Hitter’s Union Motorcycle Club apparently teamed up to help an injured Navy SEAL.

$136k raised for injured Navy SEAL by gun manufacturer, apparel company, motorcycle club

SAN ANTONIO – A former Navy SEAL received quite the surprise on Friday when representatives from a major gun manufacturer, a motorcycle club and an apparel company stopped by Fisher House in San Antonio to deliver him a check for $136,608.25.

On Labor Day in 2018, Daniel Licardo, a former member of SEAL Team 6, was left in critical condition following a horrific automobile accident, where the vehicle he was driving ended up wrapped around a tree. Following more than two dozen blood transfusions, and coding at least once while in the operating room, Licardo had to have both of his legs amputated.

It has been nearly a year of recovery and physical rehabilitation with more to come. A significant amount of money had already been raised through a GoFundMe page and the Navy SEAL Foundation, but Spike’s Tactical, a Florida-based AR-15 manufacturer, Pipe Hitter’s Union, a Texas-based apparel company and the Pipe Hitter’s Union Motorcycle Club felt that more could and should be done.

“Because my husband and Dan served together at SEAL Team 6, we felt the need to do something more,” said Karli DeMonico, vice president of Pipe Hitter’s Union. “So, we reached out to Spike’s and PHUMC and began working on an idea for a raffle and started promoting it on social media.”

After teaming up to formulate the idea, Spike’s Tactical manufactured 14 custom AR-15s to be raffled off by the three organizations, with all of the money being raised going to support Licardo.

In all, more than 5,000 raffle tickets were sold for the AR-15s that featured custom paint jobs, and scopes, which were donated by Black Spider Optics.

“We’re humbled and deeply appreciative for the support from all of those who participated in the 14 different raffles to win these custom rifles,” said Cole Leleux, CEO of Spike’s Tactical. “We hope that this money will help Dan with whatever he might need as he recovers from his injuries.”

As for Licardo, he too is grateful for the overwhelming support he has received since the accident.

To learn how you can continue to help, visit Go Fund Me.

The gun community has always been incredibly supportive of the military, and this is a prime chance for you to show just how supportive we are. I urge anyone who is able to kick in a few bucks. They have a goal of $200,000 and they’re still a ways away.

Anyone who is able, let’s stand behind this man who still has a long way to go in his recovery.