www.nationalparks.org | by Annie Brackemyre | 2026

For Navy veteran Michael “Chappy” Chappell, Arizona’s mountains were a lifeline after military service. Now, he’s helping other veterans find purpose in nature by caring for public lands. After leaving the Navy, Michael “Chappy” Chappell, found himself drawn back to the mountains near his hometown of Tucson, Arizona. What began as a personal refuge would eventually shape his career and lead him to a new mission: helping fellow veterans find community and purpose through service on public lands.