Feb. 25 | Georgia Aquarium Dive | Gentle Giants
February 24 - 26, 2026
| ABOUT EVENT
Veterans Immersion Program
Deep Sea Valkyries in partnership with the Georgia Aquarium and the Home Depot Foundation is excited to introduce our participation in the Veterans Immersion Program.
Georgia Aquarium is committed to serving the brave men and women, active and retired, who have served us. As a thank you for their incredible service, the aquarium developed the Veterans Immersion Program in 2008 as a way to support the wounded heroes in our armed forces.
Georgia Aquarium is honored to provide this unique adjunctive therapy to complement current rehabilitation and reintegration programs. Participants challenge themselves with an experience outside their comfort zones, encounter enormous animals, and for some, relax and move in the water in ways they may not be able to on land.
In February, Deep Sea Valkyries hosted its first event in partnership with the Georgia Aquarium. Eight alumni, along with four spouses and three children, gathered in Atlanta on Tuesday to take part. That evening, the group came together over dinner, where introductions were made among participants representing eight years of DSV retreats. Stories were shared, laughter filled the room, and connections were quickly rekindled.
Wednesday was spent exploring the Georgia Aquarium, with the group enjoying its exhibits and shows ahead of the scheduled afternoon dive. While family members were escorted to a viewing area, the Valkyries received a safety briefing and prepared for their dive. Once in the water, they spent about 45 minutes immersed among hundreds of species—including a sea turtle, giant manta rays, and the undeniable highlight: Yushan the whale shark. No description quite captures Yushan’s immense size; the experience was truly unforgettable.
The day concluded with a group dinner at a nearby restaurant, where everyone reflected on the experience and enjoyed each other’s company. While our time together is always far too short, everyone headed home Thursday refreshed and refocused. We look forward to future events such as this in partnership with the Georgia Aquarium.
