6th Annual DoubleCreek Tennessee Turkey Hunt
April 16-19 Hohenwald, TN
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Five of our Heroes traveled to the Volunteer State for a few days of relaxation, amazing camaraderie, and world-class turkey hunting in beautiful Hohenwald, Tennessee at the 6th Annual DoubleCreek TN Turkey Hunt. Upon arrival, our Heroes met with their volunteer guides: Dan, Manny, and Jared. They test fired and patterned their shotguns, then everyone enjoyed a delicious home-cooked meal while getting to know one another. The next morning our Heroes rose early to a wonderful breakfast before heading out to their blinds. The first day in the field was met with success as three turkeys were harvested. After a hearty dinner that included lasagna, garlic bread and butterfinger cake, everyone relaxed around the fire pit sharing stories and laughter before turning in for the night. Everyone arose the next morning to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and breakfast. After getting their fill of biscuits and gravy and fresh fruit, it was back to their assigned blinds for another exciting day of hunting. Although no Toms were taken on the second day, everyone still had a great time. They dined on turkey pot pie that evening and talked about the incredible time they were having at DoubleCreek Lodge. Our Heroes left Tennessee with new friendships, coolers full of turkey meat, and lifelong memories. Gratitude and thanks to the local event guides, who shared their skills and knowledge with our Heroes, and to all the generous donors and supporters without whom this event would not be possible. Our appreciation and gratitude to Hosts Dennis Reynolds and Shelley Cohen for their tremendous hospitality and care of our Heroes throughout the years. Additional recognition and thanks to WWIA Guide Asa Barrett and Lead Associate Corbin McClanahan for their outstanding support throughout this four-day event.
"A huge thank you to Shelley, Dennis, WWIA and WWIA Guides/Associates for all their hard work putting the turkey hunt together at Double Creek Ranch. Everyone was very friendly and went out of their way to make me feel welcome. Every detail of the hunt was well-thought-out and executed. The property is beautiful and our Hosts were extremely kind. I would definitely recommend this experience to any combat wounded veteran who is in need of some R&R with wonderful people who will quickly become your friends. Thanks again for the great memories!"
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4th Annual Great Creek Hunt Club Turkey Hunt
April 22-25 Alberta, VA
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Four of our Heroes traveled to Alberta, Virginia to take part in the 4th Annual Great Creek Hunt Club Turkey Hunt. This event always has tremendous community support, and they do an exceptional job of welcoming our Purple Heart Heroes and making them feel like family. There was a great deal of turkey activity and lots of opportunities while in the field. One exciting part of the event was that one Hero who had never turkey hunted before harvested two beautiful birds! In addition to world-class turkey hunting, our Heroes were also able to get in some quality time on the water, fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish. The food, fellowship, and time spent in the great outdoors on this event were second-to-none. Our Heroes were truly grateful for the opportunity to unplug from the day-to-day, and connect with other combat-wounded veterans while building new friendships. Before leaving, each Hero was honored with a knife, turkey call, and hats to commemorate their time in Virginia. We would like to express our genuine thanks and gratitude to Hosts Andy Wilson and the Great Creek Hunt Club for their outstanding attention and care shown toward our Heroes. Special thanks to WWIA Guide Crystal Masek for her contributions and care from start to finish.
"Thank you, Great Creek Hunt Club! I especially want to thank Chris for our talk while fishing, Andy for bringing us all together for fellowship and camaraderie, Major and Will for 3 great days of hunting and always putting me on a bird. It was a once in a lifetime trip. In a time when being a patriot means going against what society deems suitable, it is great to know there are people like all of you who support these Warriors and will continue to support us through these challenging times. Thank you again, Great Creek Hunt Club for an exceptional hunt."
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5th Annual Galveston Bay and Offshore Couples Fishing and Culinary Retreat
April 23-26 Galveston, TX
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The 5th Annual Galveston Couples Fishing and Culinary Event welcomed four of our Heroes and their wives to Texas to experience the best of Galveston Bay fishing in addition to the art of preparing their catch as well as a different array of game dishes. The first evening of the event, our couples were treated to an outstanding shrimp boil that included shrimp, potatoes, and spicy sausage. Everyone enjoyed getting to know one another and talking about the fishing that would soon follow. The next morning, after a quick continental breakfast, everyone gathered at the marina and enjoyed a successful day on the water, harvesting around 15 fish total, including redfish, sheepshead, catfish and puppy drum. That evening, everyone feasted on delicious smoked brisket tacos with homemade tamales. The next day, our couples spent time at the Galveston Farmers Market and visiting historic downtown Galveston. Items they selected earlier at the Farmers Market were then used by the Hosts to teach our couples how to cook an outstanding venison bulgogi. Our couples were taught preparation skills, how to debone a venison leg, and how to filet and prepare curried fish and rice. That afternoon, couples were able to have some free time to stroll the beach, relax, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Dinner preparations presented another wonderful opportunity for our couples to build on their culinary skills as they learned how to debone a wild boar shoulder to include in a fantastic stew with potatoes, beans, and assorted vegetables. This event truly combines the best of outdoor adventure and indoor dining, as everyone enjoyed their time fishing as well as learning how to take items from harvest to table. This was an exceptional getaway that elicited new friendships, new skills, and memories that will last for years to come. Our highest gratitude and thanks to Hosts Brad and Julie Boisen for their care and hospitality toward these couples, and for putting on another world-class event. Additional recognition and thanks to WWIA Guide Gabe Fierros for his assistance and support throughout this four-day excursion.
"This organization is truly special! This couple’s retreat means so much to us. We never had a honeymoon when we got married and our lives have been extremely busy. This has been a very special getaway for us. We never get this chance. WWIA afforded us this opportunity to spend time as a couple in Galveston, TX with Brad and Julie, Wow! What can I say, they are some of the most selfless and welcoming people we have ever met. We love them so much now! Heck, we love WWIA, Brad and Julie, all of the people involved and the people we met! Thank you so much! We mean this from the bottom of our hearts!"
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2nd Annual Missouri Spring Turkey Hunt
April 23-26 Cairo, MO
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Four of our Purple Heart Heroes converged on Cairo, MO to take part in the 2nd Annual Missouri Spring Turkey Hunt. Our Heroes loved their time in the Missouri wilderness as they had access to 524 acres of private woodlands, providing an exceptional environment for hunting and relaxing in the great outdoors. Although the weather wasn't ideal, there were lots of opportunities, and one turkey was harvested. Despite the inclement conditions, it did not deter from the excitement or enjoyment our Heroes had from their time in the field. In addition to the hunting, the meals were outstanding and plentiful, and the hospitality was off the charts. Our Heroes received a warm welcome from local residents, were given commemorative gifts bags by Tracy Baynes, and presented with beautiful handmade quilts by Lisa Rickmeyer. This trip definitely gave everyone some much-needed time away from the stresses and cares of daily life. More importantly, it provided our Heroes the ability to connect with other Purple Heart veterans through shared stories and experiences during their time together. The bonds formed and friendships made during these four-days will carry on long after the event. High praise and appreciation to Hosts Dave Baynes, Mark Rickmeyer, and Brian Whetstone and friends for their outstanding efforts in honoring our Heroes. Additional recognition and thanks to Tracy Baynes and Lisa Rickmeyer for their tireless work behind the scenes to ensure this event went off without a hitch. Our gratitude and thanks to WWIA Guide Jake Whipkey for his tremendous care and attention throughout the event.
"What an amazing experience. I cannot begin to put into words my humble and grateful thoughts for this weekend. From the minute that I met up with Brian at Bass Pro Shop to the minute we prepared to depart camp, everyone was so awesome. I have to say, it was extremely emotional at times as we shared stories and just fellowshipped in camaraderie. Getting to talk with the other veterans and get to know their stories provided an opportunity to share some of my story. I do not talk about my service very often, so it was nice to share and to talk with other wounded warriors. It was even more awesome that I got to harvest a turkey and enjoy the experience of working the bird in with an awesome guide. This trip has been a truly awesome and humbling experience. I got to meet some really great people. Thank you, thank you, thank you for such an amazing weekend. Please share with the Host how much fun and how exciting this weekend was. It truly was a great time! Thank you."
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8th Annual Kansas Cast and Blast
April 29 - May 3 Cawker City, KS
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The 8th Annual Kansas Cast & Blast proudly hosted four of our Heroes in scenic Cawker City as they enjoyed five days full of fellowship, hunting, fishing, and some well-deserved time away. As everyone arrived and settled in the first evening, our Heroes scouted and familiarized themselves with the hunting grounds, developed a plan for the upcoming hunt, and enjoyed a nice dinner while getting acquainted. The next morning everyone headed out to their selected hunting locations and although there were plenty of birds spotted, most had hens with them and had to be passed over. While scouting out the evening hunt, Hero, Matt was able to harvest a super jake and Guide, John showed everyone how to clean a turkey properly. Although there was plenty of gobbling and activity the next morning, no turkeys came in close enough for harvesting. In the afternoon, everyone went fishing on Waconda Lake and caught some huge crappie, a few white bass, and even one walleye. That evening, our Heroes had a delicious meal of rocky mountain oysters, frog legs, as well as the fish they had caught earlier. The next morning Hero, Bruce harvested a huge Tom, which was scored by the state park game warden at 75.5! A wonderful prime rib dinner was enjoyed later in the evening along with a plethora of stories and laughs. Later that evening, Paula Jones prepared an outstanding meal of chicken alfredo on homemade fettuccine noodles, with steamed broccoli, garlic bread, pasta salad, and an amazing strawberry poke cake. Day four saw plenty of activity once again, but no birds were taken. On the final evening of the event, our Heroes had a delectable dinner consisting of smothered steak, potato salad, fruit salad, and brownies for dessert, courtesy of Gary and Virginia Wilson. Our Heroes truly relished their time in Kansas and raved about the combination of this cast and blast event. As great as the hunting and fishing were, the conversations and camaraderie between our Heroes were certainly the highlight as there were new friendships and memories made. The food, hospitality, and community involvement were equally amazing, and our Heroes could not have been more grateful for the kindness they were shown throughout their stay. Our sincere appreciation to Host Carl Suter and friends for taking such tremendous care of our Heroes and for continuing to raise the bar on an already stellar event. Additional thanks to all the guides, volunteers, and supporters that helped make this event possible, including Ted Eberle, Herman Weise, Cole Eberle, Austin Hamilton, Nate Weeks, Bob Silsby, Bob Berda, Gary Debey, Kelly Griffith and Ashley Clausen with the Sons of the American Legion, Virginia and Gary Wilson, and Paula Jones. High praise and gratitude to WWIA Guide John Keeney and Lead Associate Matt Brannon for their tremendous attention and care throughout the event.
"I would like to thank everyone who put this event together, first and foremost. Thank you. To all the wonderful people seen and unseen. Thank you. You have all given me the gift of courage to continue fighting the darkness in the world. Meeting such warm and loving folks with huge hearts has been really amazing and very heart-warming. My heart is swollen with joy. Thank you. I truly feel honored to carry the burden of war for this nation. The time spent hunting and fishing with like-minded vets and civilians making deep human connections that will last the rest of my days is unbelievable. I will cherish these memories and incorporate them into my daily life. I feel connected to a massive community of support. I’m walking taller, got my chin up and my face has a golden glow and a huge smile. The mission was a success. Thank you WWIA and community."
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11th Annual Wisconsin Cast N’ Blast
April 30 - May 3 Rothschild, WI
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Four of our Heroes made the trek to Rothschild, WI for the 11th Annual Wisconsin Cast & Blast. To say our Heroes enjoyed their turkey hunting would be an understatement, as the weather was perfect and the turkey activity beyond expectation. At the end of their very first day in the field, every Hero had tagged out! This was a first for this event and everyone was ecstatic at how much fun and success they had. After some epic hunting, our Heroes set their sights on getting in some quality fishing and were equally successful in their catches as well. This event provided our Heroes the opportunity to get to know one another and form new friendships in a relaxing environment. Time spent in the great outdoors, exceptional hunting, along with the delicious food, camaraderie, and beautiful surroundings truly made this 4-day excursion a treasured memory for our Heroes. Heading home with coolers full of turkey meat didn't hurt either! Our sincere thanks to all the wonderful donors, volunteers, and supporters who went above and beyond to make this event so successful and enjoyable. Additional recognition and thanks to Stoney Creek Lodge for graciously providing outstanding accommodations and service to our Heroes. We would like to convey our highest thanks to Hosts Todd and Dawn Bohm for conducting another top-tier event and also to WWIA Guide Derek VanBuren and Lead Associate James Rissler for their tremendous support and coordination throughout the event.
"I’ve got to begin with a great big thank you to all of those involved in this organization and this event. As most know, I almost had to cancel because I was closing on my house the day of the flight to the event. I managed to move the closing date up a day and get to the airport on time. The accommodations were excellent, a big shout out to Stoney Creek Hotel. Meeting all of those involved, Todd, Dawn, Mike, Mike, Derek and Rigley (the dog) was so refreshing. Everyone involved was extremely friendly and inviting. The food prepared by Dawn was delicious beyond words as well as the snack packs we were all given. As for the hunting, what can I say; we were partnered with great guides that were knowledgeable and well versed in the actions of the turkeys, and we all were able to harvest a bird the first day out, unheard of! Harvesting an animal was not the highlight of this event, however. The camaraderie, respect and being able to bond with kindred souls and brothers in arms is the thing I will take from this experience. On day two we all went out for a day of relaxing. Fishing on the local waterways, catching numerous fish, sure but being able to relax, unwind and appreciate the beauty of nature is what I will take away from this great adventure. I have truly made friends and buddies for life this weekend. I will always be in awe of those that take time and expense from their own lives to give back to veterans. Thank you all at WWIA as well as all involved in this hunt."
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Hides for Heroes 2020 Campaign
Waupaca, WI
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Wow! Dave Hintz and his incredible Hides for Heroes team continue to raise the bar year after year! They broke last year's record by over 1500 deer hides, coming in with a grand total of 3,615 hides! Through the outstanding efforts of everyone involved, Hides for Heroes raised an astounding $14,000! This donation will go to support local events at WWIA's Camp Hackett in Phillips, WI. Thanks for the tremendous work and long hours put in to support WWIA and our Heroes. Our sincere gratitude and thanks to Dave Hintz, everyone on the Hides for Heroes team, to all the volunteers that took time away from their families to help collect and salt hides, the gracious sponsors, the generosity of the Wisconsin deer hunters, and to the many businesses that allow Hides for Heroes to place hide collection boxes outside their establishments. This is truly a community effort that requires long hours and lots of hard work on behalf of our Heroes. What an amazing accomplishment and humbling donation.Thank you, everyone! 
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13th Annual New Lenox American Legion Post #1977
WWIAF Game Luncheon Fundraiser
March 13th New Lenox, IL
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The 13th Annual New Lenox Thomas E Hartung American Legion Post 1977 WWIA Game Luncheon Fundraiser was recently held on March 13th. New Lenox was the first event/fundraiser in the state of Illinois starting in 2010. New Lenox has been an important part of WWIA for over ¾ of its history. Including their latest donation of $6,200, since 2010, these amazing Patriots have collectively raised over $199,000 in cash and services for our Nation’s Purple Heart Heroes. This is enough funding for WWIA to provide therapeutic, outdoor recreation opportunities to over 104 combat-wounded, Purple Heart veterans without additional funding. As a result of their outstanding support and generosity, they were presented with the WWIA Medal of Honor Decorated Patrons Award in 2019. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Chris DeMik, the Thomas E Hartung Post 1977 American Legion, and to the wonderful community of New Lenox, Illinois for their tremendous generosity and support throughout the years.
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Operation HHA USA 2020 Campaign
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
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Our sincere gratitude and thanks to HHA Sports, Inc. for their remarkable donation of $4,650 in support of WWIA and our Heroes. This thoughtful donation was raised through HHA's veterans/service members charitable organization, Operation HHA USA, which hosts archery shoots across Wisconsin to benefit military/veteran organizations like WWIA, and to bring the archery and veteran communities together. HHA Sports has been leading the way in archery products & equipment for more than 35 years, producing the award-winning line of American-made Optimizer bow sights as well as arrow rests, stabilizers, and other high-quality archery accessories. Learn more about HHA Sports, their products, and Operation HHA USA by visiting them online at: https://www.hhasports.com/ Thank you to Chris Hamm and the entire HHA Sports Team for your outstanding patriotism and generosity!
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WWIA March/April Spotlight
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We are honored to introduce you to this month's WWIA Spotlight Hosts, Todd and Dawn Bohm. Todd and Dawn have been long-time supporters of the Foundation. Together, they proudly host two WWIA events annually, the Wisconsin Cast & Blast, which recently celebrated its 11th year of serving our Heroes, and the Wausau Wisconsin Summer Musky, currently in its 4th year. Our sincere thanks to the Bohm's for taking time out to share their thoughts with us and for graciously hosting our Heroes throughout the past eleven years.
Todd, can you please give us a brief introduction and tell us a little about yourself and Dawn?
Dawn and I are both lifelong educators. I have been in education for over 30 years both as a social studies teacher and for the past 25 years an Assistant Principal/Principal at my alma mater, DC Everest Senior High School. Dawn has also been in education for over 30 years serving as an administrator and teacher. She teaches 9th grade English at DC Everest Junior High School. We have two children, a daughter, Samantha (28), who is a Pediatric Oncology Nurse at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee; and a son, Chayden (25) who is a senior forecaster for Best Buy Corporate in Richfield, MN. We also have two awesome dogs, Beagie the beagle and Ripley, our Yellow Labrador. In our free time, I love to fish and hunt. Together, Dawn and I love to travel, work on our house/land, garden, and spend time up north at our family cottage.
How did you first get involved with WWIA?
I saw a 2009 article in On Wisconsin Outdoors that featured John and his vision for Wounded Warriors in Action. After reading that article, I felt a calling to do something for the men/women who had been willing to make such incredible sacrifices in serving our country and felt that we could provide a world-class hunting/fishing event in Central Wisconsin that would fit with the mission of WWIA. I contacted John and the rest is history.
You proudly host the Wisconsin Cast & Blast (currently in its 11th year), and the Wisconsin Summer Musky Event (currently in its 4th year). Why have you chosen to graciously host these WWIA events?
We felt as a family that this was a calling and that we had to give something back to these incredible Heroes who were willing to serve and sacrifice so much for our country. The mission of WWIA also fits well with our beliefs as a family about the power and beauty of the outdoors and its ability to help heal.
What have been some of the positive affects you have seen in the lives of Heroes that have attended your events?
There have honestly been so many positives. I think seeing the unspoken bond the Heroes have is amazing. We can take Heroes from all over the country who don’t know each other and yet within minutes of meeting each other, you would think they have known each other for years. Certainly, the growth, healing, and transformation that the event has on the Heroes is also life changing. Numerous Heroes have commented about how being together with other Purple Heart recipients has allowed them to realize the struggles they have had aren’t unique to just them, and by sharing their thoughts and feelings they continue to move forward in their healing process. Probably the one comment that stands out the most was a Hero sharing that he felt this event may have helped save his life.
What has been the biggest benefit for you, your family, and the incredible supporters and volunteers who help make your events so successful?
I think the biggest benefit has been seeing the joy, fun, healing, and camaraderie the Heroes have had on our events. We have been fortunate to host so many Heroes who arrived as strangers but now our lifetime friends. We have also been blessed to host so many remarkable Heroes who have served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Iraq/Afghanistan. As a former history teacher, hearing about the Korean War from someone who fought in it was a tremendous honor and privilege. WWIA has truly been life changing for us.
What would you say to others who are considering getting involved with WWIA either as a Host or in any other capacity?
We think WWIA is an awesome organization! The impact the numerous events have had on our nation’s Heroes is remarkable. Tremendous thanks should go out to WWIA's Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, for his vision and commitment to serving our nation’s combat-wounded veterans. We would highly encourage anyone who is interested to get involved. The rewards are life changing!
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