Notes from the Field: Winter 2022

NOTES FROM THE FIELD: WINTER 2022

Heroes prepped and ready for an awesome day of hunting at the 13th Annual MO-KAN Ducks, Bucks, & Trapping event.
Photo courtesy of WWIA Guides Jake Whipkey and Corbin McClanahan.

Notes From the Field: Winter 2022

Another exceptional year is in the books! WWIA proudly hosted eight spectacular events for our Heroes in November and December that included hunting for deer, hogs, and waterfowl, as well as fishing and trapping. We enter the new year with plenty of exciting events on the horizon, as well as the launch of the all-new WWIA Podcast. Be sure to check out highlights from all our awesome events as well as our winter spotlight featuring two of our incredible event Hosts. We remain grateful and humbled by your support of WWIA and our Purple Heart Heroes and wish all of you the best throughout 2023! 

Founder's Feature: 2022 Summary

Hello friends! We are thankful for another remarkable year of serving and honoring our combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes. It's hard to fathom that the Foundation has been operating now for 16 years. What started off as a small one-man mission taking one or two Heroes out for a morning of fishing or hunting has now evolved into a much larger operation, involving thousands of supporters and allies who recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of our Heroes. It has been and remains my honor and privilege to be surrounded by so many patriotic Americans who rally around our mission and who have truly helped shape WWIA into what it is today. 

This past year we proudly served 179 Purple Heart Heroes over 41 events across 21 states and 1 foreign country. None of this would have been possible without the generosity and stewardship that so many of you selflessly provide. Time and again, you give of your time, money, talents, and resources, enlisting the support of friends, family, and community partners to help advance the mission of WWIA. Please know that your support and hard work have ripple effects far beyond what can be seen in the highlights, testimonials, and pictures from our events. You are helping heal the invisible wounds of war and bringing restoration, hope, and wholeness to our Heroes and their families.

We look forward to another exciting year full of world-class events for our combat-wounded veterans. Together, we will continue the high calling of serving our Heroes through the power of the great outdoors. I want to personally thank all our Heroes, Guides, Associates, Pro-Staff, Supporters, Volunteers, and Donors for your faithful partnership throughout 2022 and the past 16 years. May this new year bring you and those you love, blessings, abundance, good health, and happiness. Let's continue the good work we are doing on behalf of America's Purple Heart Heroes!

         -Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John J. McDaniel

💜 THANK YOU for an AMAZING Year! 💜

What a year this has been! We want to thank ALL OF YOU who have faithfully and generously supported WWIA and helped us in our mission to serve and honor our Purple Heart Heroes! In the collage above, you will see pictures in chronological order (left to right) from every event WWIA conducted over the past year (41 total). These commemorative pictures show a lot of smiling faces and grateful Heroes who have participated in our world-class outdoor sporting events across North America. What they don't show, and what you can't take away from a photograph is what's taking place behind the scenes, underneath the surface. These pictures don't show changed lives, healed hearts and minds, new lifelong friendships, or hope and joy where there was little or none; but rest assured, those things are there. We hear them in the words of our Heroes testimonials, and from those who share with others about their event experiences and how the connections and friendships they have made continue long after the events have ended. These photos also don't capture or convey the incredible dedication and generosity of our event Hosts, of our phenomenal supporters, partners, donors, fundraisers, volunteers, and WWIA Guides. None of these events would be possible without the tremendous hard work of our WWIA family and friends. You are the lifeblood, the heartbeat behind what we do. These awesome event pictures and the healing and restoration that is taking place in the lives of our Heroes are a direct result of your love, selflessness, patriotism, and graciousness. We salute all of you and thank you for partnering with us in our all-important mission to bring Honor, Connection, and Healing to our combat-wounded veterans. We are grateful to all of you and are proud to call you our family and friends. Thank you for making 2022 another outstanding year for WWIA and our Heroes! 💜

Events and Fundraisers

  10th Annual Murphy Family & Friends Hog Hunt 

   November 2-7  Bay St. Louis, MS

The 10th Annual Murphy Family and Friends Gulf Coast Hog Hunt proudly celebrated a decade of serving and honoring our Heroes as they welcomed three of our combat-wounded Warriors to enjoy six days of relaxation, camaraderie, and world-class hog hunting in the seaside city of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The hunting throughout their stay was top-notch thanks to the assistance of skilled local guides, who set them up in ideal locations for optimal hog activity. Their time in the field was met with great success as a total of seven impressive hogs were harvested by our Heroes. Thanks to Ronnie and Monica Amacker, they were also able to hunt with dogs one day, and everyone expressed how much they enjoyed that opportunity. When our Heroes weren't in the field, they also raved about the variety of food, including authentic Cajun meals expertly prepared by Host Audie and Joanie Murphy and family, his amazing cadre of volunteers, and the amazing Dan B's Restaurant and Bar. The camaraderie between our Heroes was exceptional, with lots of shared experiences and laughs had during the hunts and around the dinner table. Our Heroes headed home refreshed, with great memories, new friendships, and coolers full of hog sausage. Our sincere gratitude to Host Audie "Rock" Murphy and his family and friends for ten exceptional years of honoring and serving our Heroes, and for putting on another world-class event from start to finish. Special thanks to Co-Host Terry Taylor for his tremendous leadership, event support, and fundraising efforts year after year. Recognition and thanks to local guides: Roderick Kendrick, Terry Taylor, Lee Robinson, and to Josh Gipson and family for their skillful hunting preparation and assistance. Appreciation to Ray and Daniel Murphy, John Reginato, to Karl Ederer, Mike Kirkland, and Albert Enslin (Enslin & Son Packing Company) for granting access and use of their hunting property, to Bayden Kirkland, Colton Ryals, Francis and Braxton Spiers and Joey and Gavin McClinton for assisting with the dog hunt. Additional thanks to Michael Pais, Daniel Bond, Jamie Kingston, Dale Barefield (True Value Hardware) and Kenny Fazio's Home & Farm Center for providing bait for the hogs, to Eric and Marcy Dalsin, Dave and Rita Cavanaugh, Mac and Judy Cowand, Roy McKenzie and 4 Bulls Meat & Seafood Deli, Robert and Kim Beardslee, Lisa Johnston (Sport Trail), Debbie Garrett, James Lindsay, Joey Brown, Tony Weaver, Baron O'Grady, Richard Taylor, Nicolette Rogers, Danelle Ramsel, Mitchell Beverage Gulf Coast, Norman and Beverly Grogg, for event support. High praise and appreciation to WWIA Guide Mark Broda for his expertise and contributions throughout this exciting trip.

"For once I am at a loss for words, the group that Hosted us were all fantastic people. Rock is truly one of the best men I have met in my life. It appeared as though the whole community came out to meet us and break bread. We were treated like rock stars. A humbling experience. Everyone involved in making this veterans experience on the hog hunt has my gratitude, love and heartfelt thank you. Thank you to WWIA and everyone who has made this trip a lifelong memory. With all that’s going wrong in the country, this group has renewed my faith in God, country, family and community."

8th Annual DoubleCreek Tennessee Archery Whitetail Deer Hunt

November 4-7  Hohenwald, TN

Five of our Purple Heart Heroes traveled to scenic Hohenwald, Tennessee to take part in the 8th Annual DoubleCreek TN Archery Whitetail Deer Hunt. Upon arrival and once settled in, everyone headed out for a quick tour of the property and were able to sit in their stands for an hour or two before sunset. Everyone then enjoyed an amazing homemade dinner of London broil, baked mashed potatoes, homemade cream corn, and Betty’s famous butter finger cake. The remainder of the evening everyone got to know one another while talking about their anticipation of the next day's hunt. 

Our Heroes rose early the next morning and were joined by two local game wardens. Together, they shared a wonderful breakfast of egg and cheese muffins, bacon, hashbrown casserole, and biscuits along with good conversation as they wished our Heroes much success in the field. Shortly after, everyone met their local guides and headed to their stands. Unfortunately, the weather was inconsistent, and rain set in for most of the day. Despite trying to push through the inclement weather, our Heroes didn’t have much luck as there was little activity in those conditions. After getting cleaned up, everyone dined on a delicious dinner of sausage pasta, garlic bread, and salad with a scrumptious chocolate cake for dessert, then spent time talking and relaxing before turning in.

Over the next two days, the weather improved and there was plenty of time to hit the fields and have more hunting opportunities. They were also able to get in some shooting time at the range. Despite the deer playing hard to get during this trip, our Heroes never complained as they realized the most important part of the event was not what was harvested, but rather what was gained in terms of camaraderie and new friendships. 

After the final evening hunt and another wonderful dinner of turkey pot pie, salad, and cake, the Heroes, Hosts, and guides spent time talking about their incredible visit to DoubleCreek Lodge over the past few days and how grateful they were for this opportunity. Our appreciation and thanks to Hosts Dennis Reynolds and Shelley Cohen for another top-notch event. We are honored by their stellar dedication, care, and the exceptional hospitality shown toward our Heroes year after year. Additional gratitude to the amazing local volunteer guides: Ryan Reynolds, Adam Tomlin, Jason Hay and Jared Hinson. This patriotic and generous community goes above and beyond to make this event possible for our combat-wounded veterans. Thank you to the following for their awesome event support: Travis Hinson, Paul Rowden, and Chris Holt of C&C Motorcycle for the use of side-by-sides, to Rob & Amy Reynolds, Terry Foster, Gwen Pullen, Ron McConnell, Betty Hinson, the Hillard Family, the Arne Family, Jeri Stewart, Barb Gibson, and The Horse Stop. Special recognition and thanks to WWIA Guide Matt Brannon for his support and assistance throughout this memorable excursion.

"I had an absolute great time at DoubleCreek. Met some amazing Heroes and to hear their stories and connect with each of them was helpful to me. Dennis and Shelly are fantastic Hosts and may never know the impact they have had on the lives of so many of us. I was overwhelmed with the number of volunteers that came to guide and host the event. Even learned about others in the surrounding community who have given food and gifts to support the hunt and encourage the volunteers. Thank you for all that you do."

9th Annual Kuneytown FLX Bucks 'N Ducks

November 8-13  Seneca Falls, NY

Four of our combat-wounded Warriors traveled to the Finger Lakes region of New York to take part in the 9th Annual Kuneytown FLX Ducks and Bucks Hunt in picturesque Seneca Falls. Once settled in, they enjoyed weapons training, target shooting classes, and a safety briefing to ensure they were properly prepared for their upcoming time in the field. Through a collaboration with Whitetails Unlimited and the Ducks Unlimited Seneca Falls Chapter, our Heroes were outfitted with blind bags and gear and were also gifted a 1-year membership to each organization. They were also presented with an amazing set of boots from Josh Lincoln of Dryshod Footwear, t-shirts and hats from ProCarpet,. Our Heroes were treated to two different waterfowl hunts, the first on Cayuga Lake with Frontenac Fowlers Guide Service and another one led by Canoga Creek Outfitters. They had a memorable time and harvested some beautiful ducks with Jay,  as well as ducks and limits of  Canada goose with Canoga Creek Outfitters. Thanks to Deer Haven Park owner Earl Martin, they also had the privilege of hunting deer at the historic Seneca Army Depot, a former munitions storage facility consisting of over 4,000 acres. This protected government land has allowed the local deer population to flourish for more than 60 years, including the extremely rare white deer. Our Heroes had an exceptional time in the field with three of them harvesting impressive (brown) bucks with racks of 6, 8,and 9 points.

As a complement to the outstanding hunting opportunities, our Heroes also learned first-hand the finer points of processing and preparing their harvests courtesy of Moira Tidball and her Wild Harvest Table program. They enjoyed a variety of culinary dishes including delicious duck legs roulade, goose breast appetizers, and venison steaks. They were also graciously provided with custom WWIA  books to take home full of recipes and instructional guides to assist in preparing their future harvests and catches (also available online here). An amazing community attended dinner was held at the Arthur G. Depew Memorial Ovid VFW Post #6200, the patriots from the VFW provided a wonderful prime rib dinner in honor of our Heroes. The annual banquet fundraising dinner held at the Kuneytown Sportsmen's Club on the last evening of the event was a wonderful time to fellowship, connect, share stories and laughs, and relax amongst new friends over a great meal. They were also honored to have Senator Pam Helming, New York State Senate representative for the 54th District in attendance, who also graciously presented each Hero with a citation from the New York State Senate in honor of their service and sacrifice. It was a great ending to another spectacular event in Seneca Falls. The camaraderie, connections, and bonds made at this amazing event will undoubtedly follow our Heroes for years to come.  

We would like to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to Dr. Keith and Moira Tidball and the Kuneytown Sportsmen's Club for graciously hosting and honoring our Heroes. This event would not have been possible without the outstanding patriotism, care, and dedication of so many wonderful people in this community and beyond. Thank you to Anthony Imperato of Henry Repeating Rifle and David Baron of Baron Engraving for their generosity in donating a custom-engraved Henry Golden Boy .22 military tribute rifle for the banquet fundraiser. Additional thanks to S&S Sales and to Bob Weller for also donating guns for this year's auction. Our sincere appreciation to Stamberger-Sender Associates and Seneca Meadows for once again sponsoring this year's hunt. Special recognition to Canoga Creek Outfitters and Frontenac Fowlers for providing first-class guide services, and to Scott Ridley and Deer Search of WNY  for helping locate game. Additional recognition and gratitude to CCE Military Families and Veterans, Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell Cooperative Extension in the Department of Natural Resources, Woods & Water Prescription - for Wounded Warriors, Kirk Casey American Legion Post 366, VFW Post 6200, Mike Ernst for his contributions and support throughout the years and to for his assistance during the event, to Bob Stuck, Dan DeLawyer, Eric Riegel of Riegel Marine Services, Bonadent Dental Laboratories, Bob Lapp, Steve Sandroni, Steve and Jeanie Blaisdell, and Dale Rolley for their outstanding dedication and efforts. Additional appreciation and thanks to WWIA Guide Crystal Masek for her skill and acumen during this outstanding event.

"This trip has been by far the most memorable Purple Heart event that I have ever been a part of. I am huge on building and keeping great relationships. From this trip I have added a priceless group of friends that I truly love, and I will always cherish this trip. Even though I missed my deer, the memory will never leave my mind. I’d love to come back and take another whack at one. The hospitality and accommodations were second to none. To be able to check out from work and life for a few days was amazing. What you’ve done for veterans is so needed and truly appreciated. To the community and most of all to the team, thank you for the trip of a lifetime." 

9th Annual Western Pennsylvania Archery Deer Hunt

November 10-13  Rural Valley, PA

The 9th Annual Western Pennsylvania Archery Deer Hunt proudly hosted five of our Heroes in Rural Valley, PA. Upon arrival, everyone grabbed a bite to eat and took time to set up and familiarize themselves with their bows and crossbows on the 3-D archery range as well as being greeted by their local hunting guides. It was decided to try and get in a quick evening hunt. Later, a delicious steak dinner was enjoyed courtesy of Diversified Energy. They also generously gave each Hero a hunting bag filled with a deer call and other hunting related items. Event supporter, Frank Condino presented each Hero with a remarkable handmade knife and sheath that had the WWIA logo stamped onto it. Frank had personally commissioned his cousin in Louisiana to make these one-of-a-kind knives just for them, an amazing gesture of gratitude to honor and thank our Heroes for their service and sacrifices. It was an exclamation point to what had already been an exceptional day. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing, talking, and watching some sports before turning in.

The next morning, our Heroes were up before sunrise and had a nice breakfast before heading out to meet their local hunting guides and getting settled into their stands with great anticipation. Although the morning saw little deer activity due to intermittent rain, our Heroes remained encouraged and patient. Everyone headed back to camp for a lunch of hoagies and Italian wedding soup provided by Diversified Energy, and then decided to get in some more target practice. They returned to their stands in the afternoon and despite the rainy conditions, Hero Joshua was able to harvest a nice doe. In the evening, our Heroes feasted on a wonderful dinner of spaghetti with meatballs, Caesar salad, and fresh bread, graciously provided by Indiana Country Club. The remainder of the evening, everyone talked about the events of the day, the upcoming hunt, and shared stories with one another. 

The next day, everyone arose at 5:00 a.m. and had a wonderful selection of eggs, coffee cake, sausage, bagels, and muffins for breakfast before getting situated into their respective stands and ground blinds. There was a little rain to contend with early on, but everyone saw multiple deer from their hunting spots. Unfortunately, none of them were within range for a reasonable shot with their bows. Everyone feasted on hoagies and soup for lunch as they discussed the morning hunt and made plans for another one in the evening. After a little rest and recovery, the group headed out for an evening of hunting, and Hero Josh was a able to harvest a nice buck. Later that evening, everyone gathered for the last dinner they would have together before heading home the next day. The Heroes raved about their meal which was lovingly prepared by Susan Bevevino and consisted of chicken, green beans and freshly made bread. Our Heroes and Hosts expressed their gratitude and thanks to their fantastic local hunting guides, Tony Brunetta, Scott Crownover, Bernie Petrovsky, Todd Raible, Jeff Smathers, and Frank Bevevino for their outstanding contributions and skill over the four days of hunting. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, filled with lots of great stories, laughs and a good time had by all. 

Since the departing flights home weren't until the afternoon, everyone agreed to rise early to get in one last hunt. This would prove to be a wise decision as another doe was harvested by Ernest. It was a great way to end a phenomenal trip! Everyone gathered at the lodge for one last lunch together, then it was time to head home. This time in Pennsylvania truly checked all the boxes for our Heroes, as they experienced top-notch hunting, forged new friendships, and found relaxation and restoration during their stay. High praise and appreciation to Hosts Dan and Susan Bevevino and their incredible family for their tremendous hospitality and care, and for continuing to provide such a first-class event for our Heroes over the past nine years. Additional thanks to Western PA Outdoors and WWIA Lead Associate Greg Brazinsky for his coordination and assistance throughout this exceptional excursion.

"What can I say, the event was amazing from the awesome Warriors, the great guides and the Host, Dan. What a truly amazing event. Prior to the event I was a little down thinking my hunting season was over, but the event gave me something to look forward to and helped me recover faster so I could attend. The guides made every hunt great by taking us to the best spots and calling in deer. The Warriors were amazing, getting to sit and talk with each one about hunting and deployment stories was awesome. Hosts, Dan, Susan and their son, Frankie made everything truly memorable. From the lodging, food, and hunt areas, they did a fantastic job and made us all feel at home and as family. I left the event refreshed with my mind being reset."

6th Annual Arkansas Buck Hunt

November 17-21  Marianna, AR

The 6th Annual Arkansas Ducks and Bucks Hunt proudly welcomed four of our Purple Heart Heroes to the Red Oak Plantation in Marianna, Arkansas for five exciting days of camaraderie, relaxation, and world-class deer hunting. Once everyone arrived and settled in, they were able to get acquainted and ensure their gear was ready for the upcoming hunts. An outstanding and delicious welcoming dinner was graciously hosted by Matt McCrory of Gus’s Fried Chicken. 

The time our Heroes spent in the field over the next few days certainly lived up to their expectations. Thanks to the expertise and skill of the local guides, our Heroes saw plenty of deer activity and the hunting was simply exceptional. A total of 6 deer were harvested during the event; three nice-sized bucks and three does. When our Heroes weren't hunting, they were getting in some much-needed downtime while enjoying fantastic meals and great conversation and camaraderie. The hunting was top-notch, but the true highlight of this trip was getting to form new bonds of friendship with fellow Warriors that will last long after the event ends. This getaway to Arkansas was exactly what our Heroes needed to recharge and restore their hearts and minds.

As our Heroes left camp and the company of new friends, they could not have been more appreciative or complimentary of the incredible time they had and for the tremendous hospitality given to them. High praise and gratitude to event Host William French and his family for graciously hosting our Heroes and for making an already outstanding event even better. Special thanks to Will French and Lance Green for their incredible efforts throughout the event. Additional recognition and thanks to Kaylan French, Teagan Allen, and Peggy Reynolds. Our gratitude and appreciation to WWIA Guide James Rissler for his leadership and assistance from start to finish. 

"I cannot say thank you enough to the French family, Lance, all the volunteers and WWIA. The last four days have been great! Everything from the fellowship, the food, and the hunt were top notch. I would not change a thing. Watching Mr. French and his son Will reminds me of when I was a teen with my father. It brought back such great memories. William, Lance and Will you three were great and worked your butt’s off for us. To many times people think it is just about killing an animal, but I’s not. It is about the fellowship, relaxing, resetting and having quiet time in the woods to reflect and think. I was able to do that here. On the last evening of the hunt, I sent my wife a text that said “well, it’s not looking to promising for me on the hunt, only about 30 minutes of light left”, she replied “that’s okay, you can’t win them all, it’s called hunting not killing”. 3 minutes later, I shot a buck. Thank you again for hosting such a great event. The last thing I will say that really stood out to me was that no one tried to pity any of the warriors, I truly appreciate that!"

13th Annual MO-KAN Ducks, Bucks, & Trapping Event

November 17-21  St. Joseph, MO

The mighty WWIA MO-KAN chapter has done it again! Celebrating a stellar 13 years of proudly serving our combat-wounded veterans, they welcomed ten of our Heroes to the 13th Annual MO-KAN Ducks, Bucks, and Trapping Event in St. Joseph, Missouri. This world-class event combines pristine hunting for trophy whitetails and ducks in both Kansas and Missouri, as well as teaching an exceptional hands-on Trapping College. Our Heroes had an unforgettable time in the field as they harvested an impressive total of 9 bucks and 7 does. Unreal! They weren't even close to being finished yet though, as they also harvested a remarkable 144 ducks! Their Trapping College was also a great success, as they trapped 2 coyotes, and 1 beaver. It was evident from the smiles, laughs, and camaraderie shared between our Heroes that this event is not only world-class, but second-to-none. The MO-KAN event provides the perfect combination of pristine hunting in a sportsman's paradise, first-rate hospitality and food, all while allowing our Heroes to get away from the stresses of everyday life and make new friendships and connections with exceptional people.

The WWIA MO-KAN event is made up of over 100 patriotic and dedicated volunteers operating a number of different components over five days. The Heroes stayed at the stellar Napier Hunt Club in Napier, Missouri, and their members rolled out the red carpet once again, giving our Heroes a home away from home. This year's event was graciously sponsored by: Ryan and Jennifer VanMeter, BASYS Processing Inc., Nodaway Valley Bank, Western States Fire Protection, Victory Chevrolet, IMA Financial Group in partnership with Herzog, Howden Insurance Brokers, The Steve & Mary Hunt Foundation, and so many other amazing patriots and friends. Thank you all for helping us honor our combat-wounded Heroes through your thoughtful giving and faithful support. Terry Supple once again spearheaded an amazing fundraising effort to raise money for the Foundation, and through the generosity of supporters was also able to secure and gift each Hero with a beautiful custom Henry Golden Boy .22 rifle that had the WWIA Purple Heart challenge coin embedded into the stock. Special recognition and thanks to the Napier Hunt Club and its amazing members and friends for the extraordinary support given to the Heroes and the Foundation over the years. High praise to Nick Wilds for providing all the transportation from Napier Hunt Club in support of our amazing local guides. Special thanks to the amazing teachers and kids at St. Joseph Cathedral School for their donation of snacks and exceptional support of our Heroes! Our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Host Brian Roderick and the phenomenal Team MO-KAN for continuing to go above and beyond for our combat-wounded veterans. We also recognize and salute all the outstanding MO-KAN volunteers for your hard work, dedication, expense, and the many hours each of you so selflessly put forth to honor and give your heartfelt appreciation to our Purple Heart Heroes. Thank you for thirteen exceptional years! Additional applause and thanks to WWIA Guides Jake Whipkey and Corbin McClanahan for their tremendous assistance and support throughout the event.  

"There was a point in my life, not to terribly long ago that I questioned and doubted that the Lord existed. I have had a few things happen in my life, as you might imagine, to cause that. I had a couple buddies; veterans also introduce me to hunting. That was a first step for my faith being re-born. This trip, experience, generosity, humbling, elation, the amount of joy that I feel from the acceptance of me, just wow! I have had a most amazing experience with the Napier family and the WWIA family. I was blessed to meet great Americans, that care and walk the walk. I pray for the continued success and legacy of the MO-KAN events. You provide more than you ever know, and it is felt."

9th Annual Great Creek Hunt Club Deer Hunt

December 1-4   Alberta, VA

Four of our Purple Heart Heroes gathered in Alberta, Virginia, to take part in exceptional deer hunting, camaraderie, and fun at the 9th Annual Great Creek Hunt Club Deer Hunt. This four-day excursion allowed for outstanding hunting opportunities from stands, blinds, and even with the assistance of dogs. After our Heroes arrived, they settled into their accommodations, and had time to familiarize themselves with their weapons in addition to getting in some valuable practice at the shooting range. They spent the remainder of the evening relaxing over dinner and getting acquainted with their fellow Heroes and Hosts.

Our Heroes loved their time in the field and were successful with two deer being harvested over the course of their stay. Everyone raved about the opportunity to hunt with dogs, and were grateful for the camaraderie, expertise, and skill provided by their local hunting guides. They even had time to get in some coyote hunting with one coyote harvested. This trip proved to be just what our Warriors needed, giving them an ideal balance of excitement and relaxation in a beautiful and serene environment. After their daily hunts had concluded, there was lots of downtime to fellowship, talk about shared experiences around the dinner table, and to build new friendships while sitting around the campfire. The food served throughout this event was second-to-none, as they enjoyed meals such as Brunswick stew, homemade spaghetti, bacon-wrapped venison, and a traditional southern boil.

This exceptional event would not have been possible without the generosity and support of Hosts Andy Wilson, the Great Creek Hunt Club, and their amazing event supporters. Additional appreciation and thanks to Pat Wilson, Karl Solos and Colonial Honda, Country Style Donuts, Mike and April Woody of Bon Air Exteriors, and to Dwayne Hawthorne and Dee Whitaker. Thank you all for honoring our Heroes with your time, talents, hospitality and care. Special recognition and thanks to WWIA Guide Crystal Masek for her tremendous leadership and support.

"Learning how to hunt in Brunswick County was a big part of my childhood. Hunting with y’all this weekend has brought back a lot of good memories of that. I promise y’all are doing God’s work with this event. I am so proud to know that there are some boys in Brunswick that are willing to open their doors to veterans. I appreciate y’all and look forward to coming back and spending time with y’all."

4th Annual Naples VFW New York Big Buck Hunt

December 8-12   Naples, NY

Three of our Heroes traveled to New York to participate in the 4th Annual Naples NY VFW Big Buck Hunt. Everyone arrived early on day one, got unpacked and situated, and took time to ensure their weapons were sighted in and were able to get in a quick afternoon hunt. Later that evening, our Heroes were honored and welcomed with a wonderful dinner at the Naples VFW Post 8726. It was a perfect way to start the event, and our combat-wounded veterans enjoyed the gracious reception and meeting some of the incredible people of Naples, New York.

The next morning everyone awoke full of expectation and ready for a full day of hunting. They got on the board early as Hero, Charles, harvested his first deer ever! This helped raise the excitement and set the tone for a great first day. After lunch, everyone headed back out, but it was a quiet afternoon with no deer seen. Everyone headed back, got cleaned up, and headed to the historic Redwood Restaurant  where they treated our Heroes to a delicious meal. The remainder of the evening was spent relaxing, sharing experiences, and talking about the day's highlights and the upcoming hunt.

Everyone was back in the field early the next day and hunted until just before lunch. It was another successful morning with two nice-sized does harvested. Everyone had a hearty lunch as they enjoyed pizza and wings generously provided by Luigi's. A different hunting property was chosen for that evening and it proved to be a great choice as Hero Derek harvested an impressive 8-point buck. After a fruitful day in the field, everyone headed back to get cleaned up and relax a bit. There were plenty of smiles, laughs and meaningful conversation that evening as everyone reflected on what a great day they had. 

Our Warriors were up early and headed out in hopes of another successful morning of hunting. Everyone settled into their respective stands and shortly after, Hero Kyle harvested a beautiful 6-point buck, bringing the overall total harvested throughout this event to six (four does and two bucks). Lunch was graciously provided by Rennoldsons Market, and once everyone was refueled and ready for another afternoon hunt. It was another successful time in the field, as a nice doe was taken. To cap off another great day, later that night, a magnificent farewell dinner was hosted at the Naples VFW. The Heroes relished the opportunity to spend time once again with members of the local community, including LT Tim Fay and Captain Josh VerHague of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. They graciously provided the Heroes with some swag for their trip home, which included shirts, hats, drinking glasses, and glasses. The Penn Yan, NY American Legion Post 355 was also in attendance and made a very generous donation toward the next year's event. It was the perfect way to wrap up a treasured time spent with some very special people. The kindness and appreciation shown to our Purple Heart recipients throughout their stay from the local residents and businesses was quite humbling.

As our Heroes left for home with newfound friendships and coolers full of deer meat, they were incredibly grateful for the memorable time they spent together in Naples, New York and for the incredible outpouring of support and appreciation from this patriotic and generous community. We salute and thank event Hosts, Jason Perry, Rick and Glen Sawyer, and the Naples VFW Post 8726 for their incredible hospitality and care of our Heroes. Special thanks to Steve Mehlrose and Conner Mann for use of their hunting lands and helping skillfully guide our Heroes, Ron Becker of Becker Poultry for processing the harvested deer, and to Steve and Jeanette Decker for generously making breakfast each morning. High praise and appreciation to WWIA Guide Derek VanBuren for his skill, care, and assistance during this awesome five-day event.

"What an amazing hunt! I have never been to New York and the drive in was so beautiful. Upon arriving the view from Rick’s place was nothing short of amazing. Every single person we met was very arms open. The last few days have been absolutely incredible. I really needed these last 4 days to reset from my life back home. The buck harvest was the final touch to an amazing trip. Thank you to WWIA for this great experience. What you all do for veterans is 100% appreciated. Once again, thank you for this incredible opportunity."

9th Annual DoubleCreek Tennessee Whitetail Rifle Hunt

December 9-12   Hohenwald, TN

Five of our Purple Heart Heroes traveled to the beautiful rolling hills of Tennessee to participate in the 9th Annual DoubleCreek Lodge TN Rifle Deer Hunt. Upon arrival at the lodge, everyone got settled into their accommodations and had a wonderful homecooked meal as they spent time getting to know one another, discussed the plans for the next morning's hunt, and prepared their gear.

Everyone rose well before sunrise to eat a hearty breakfast and headed out to their deer blinds for a day of hunting. Later that evening, Hero, Stephen harvested his first ever big game animal, a nice sized whitetail doe. After heading back to the lodge, WWIA Guide Frenchy showed everyone how to skin, quarter, debone, and package up the deer. Hero, Stephen, graciously requested the meat be shared between the other Heroes, a kind and generous act amongst brothers. The remainder of the evening was spent enjoying food and fellowship and looking forward to another day of hunting.

The remaining days in the field held promise for our Heroes as there was activity, but unfortunately, no other deer were taken. Regardless, the time spent in the outdoors provided a perfect backdrop for healing, camaraderie, and reflection. Whether it was sitting in blinds, around the dinner table or campfire, this trip was filled with plenty of stories, laughter, and leisure while our Heroes enjoyed some of the finest hospitality and home-cooked meals imaginable. This was another exceptional event that left our Warriors with a rapport for their fellow brothers, renewed spirits, and lifelong memories.

We would like to convey our heartfelt thanks to Hosts Dennis Reynolds and Shelley Cohen for their impeccable dedication and support of WWIA and our combat-wounded veterans. Every year, our Heroes rave about their time spent at DoubleCreek Lodge being like a home away from home, and that is a testament to the care and attention given throughout this event. Additional thanks to Rob and Amy Reynolds for their outstanding support, to Travis Hinson & Michael Moore for use of their side-by-sides, to the amazingly skilled local guides: Damian Cole, Jason Hay, Manny Moreton, and Garrick Couch. Our gratitude and thanks to the following members of the local community for their generous efforts and event support: Catherine Helsman and the John Billington VFW Auxiliary Post #6495, Ron McConnell, Tammy Adkins, Angela Warren, Barb Gibson, Joy Yates, and Val Aarne. Special recognition and appreciation to WWIA Guide Jon French for his tremendous efforts and support throughout the event.     

"I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for being allowed to participate in this event. Dennis and Shelley went above and beyond to make us all feel at home, welcome and safe. I am an unexperienced hunter having never taken a large game animal. Well, I was. I shot my first deer. I would never have expected to have something like this event be my first. I think as veterans, warriors in general we all thirst for the friendships and family we created in the military. This event fulfills that thirst. I love that I have extended my family here. The amount of work, sacrifice and caring that goes into this from the Hosts, Guides and coordinators is humbling to say the least. Thank you to everyone that helped ensure this was the most incredible event I have ever attended."

We Appreciate Your Generosity On Giving Tuesday

November 29th was Giving Tuesday, an international day of giving and service. We want to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone who graciously gave on this special day. We are humbled and honored by your generosity, thoughtfulness, and your tremendous support of WWIA and our Purple Heart Heroes. Thank you for helping us continue our mission of bringing Honor, Connection, and Healing to our outstanding combat-wounded veterans. -Team WWIA 

Spread the Word About The WWIA Podcast

The WWIA Podcast has officially launched! We're asking for your help to get the word out to others by sharing the podcast on your social media channels. by word of mouth, or through email. If you haven't given it a listen yet, what are you waiting for!? It's a great way to stay connected, go behind the scenes, and get to know more about the incredible people who are a part of our WWIA family. You can listen and download current and past episodes on our website by clicking here. You can also find the WWIA Podcast on your favorite podcast service, such as iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc. New episodes drop every two weeks. Be sure to share this with your friends, family, and those in your network! Do us a favor and please leave a review wherever you listen to the podcast. We've got lots of great episodes and guests coming your way, so tune in, subscribe, and enjoy! 

Winter Edition Spotlight Feature

This month, we are featuring two of our exceptional longtime event Hosts, Shelley Cohen and Dennis Reynolds. Shelley and Dennis have a heart for service that is clearly seen through their attention to detail, generosity, and the impeccable care they put into each of their events. Their ability to build strong connections with our Heroes and to galvanize the support of the local community is truly second-to none. We appreciate Shelley and Dennis taking time to answer a few questions about their WWIA experience and allowing us the opportunity to get to know them better. Thank you both for your tremendous support and dedication throughout the years to WWIA and our Purple Heart Heroes!

Shelley, can you please tell us a little bit about yourselves?

Dennis and I are from Hohenwald, Tennessee, two hours south of Nashville. We proudly host three different WWIA events per year at our beautiful DoubleCreek Ranch. The Tennessee Turkey Hunt takes place in the spring, while the Tennessee Archery/Muzzleloader Deer Hunt and the Tennessee Whitetail Deer Hunt take place in the fall and winter seasons. Dennis has a highly experienced and diverse hunting background and I currently work as an emergency nurse and educator.

How did you first get involved with WWIA?

We had just completed more than 20 years working as foster parents and were searching for a different opportunity to give back. We have always wanted to find a way to offer support to our incredible veteran population, and a website search led us to the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation. With Dennis’s passion for hunting and years of experience as a hunter, we thought this might be a perfect fit for us. We decided to host one event and now 10 years later we are still serving!

Why do you both choose to Host WWIA events?

When you are able to combine a personal passion for a hobby with an opportunity to give back-well there is really no better feeling than that. We found ourselves saying “thank you” to veterans and service members frequently, but always felt there was more we could do. We had a lengthy conference call to begin with before we made the decision to move forward -this reinforced not only the expertise of those behind WWIA, but also assured us of the ongoing support. We checked out the financials and dug into the mission of the Foundation as well. After sifting through all of those details, we realized this was the right fit for us. Fast forward to many years later and we are just as engaged with the mission/purpose as we were in the beginning. Each and every Purple Heart recipient that we have had the privilege of hosting here is a firm reminder of why this work is so important and needed. To say it is a humbling experience seems to be an understatement, but it is certainly true. Our local volunteer guides, who are not all veterans, have benefited greatly from their interactions with our Heroes and the eye-opening experience of what these remarkable veterans have endured along with the many challenges they continue to face.

What has been the biggest benefit of hosting WWIA Events?

This is not an easy question to answer because there are so many benefits to hosting an event. If you ask me to pick the top benefit if would have to be the ability to recognize in “real time” during the actual event the impact it has had on these individual Heroes. You see a huge shift in their behavior, as they move away from being withdrawn, and you see a release from some of the emotional and physical pain they carry, and many other end results of all they have endured. This shift becomes evident during the event and is even greater by the last day. All I can say is, it is absolutely transformational!

What would you say to others who are considering getting involved with WWIA as a Host or in another capacity?

Just do it! Try one event to boost your confidence or call another Host who has been doing this for a while to hear from them how to best prepare. They can answer many of your questions and also offer great reassurance that not only will the event change the lives of the Heroes but will change you forever as well. Finally, it is important to know that you have incredible support from the leaders of WWIA. Get involved, you will be glad you did!

Help Our Heroes By Donating a Vehicle

Did you know that you can help support WWIA and our Heroes by donating your car, truck, van, SUV, boat, motorcycle, ATV, RV, trailer or airplane? Working or not, free towing, tax benefits, and helping support our combat-wounded veterans are just a few of the benefits of using the CARS vehicle donation program. Simply click HERE to start the donation process or call CARS toll-free at 855-500-RIDE (855-500-7433) to have a donation staff specialist help guide you through the donation process. If you would like to learn more about how the CARS vehicle donation program works, please click here. We thank you in advance for your support! 🚗

How Can You Help Support WWIA & Our Heroes?

Did you know that there are lots of different ways to help support WWIA and our Heroes? You can donate online, via mail, via PayPal, through vehicle donations, through shopping with our friends and partners, through workplace giving, through donor advised funds, legacy giving, on Giving Tuesday, and so much more! Click here to learn more about the many ways you can give and partner with WWIA in our mission to bring healing and restoration to our phenomenal combat-wounded Heroes. Thank you! 💜

Want to Learn More About WWIA? Visit Us Online! 

Our website is full of information about who we are, how we serve our Purple Heart Heroes, and how you can get involved!  Visit us today! Click HERE!

813-938-1390 | info@wwiaf.org | wwiaf.org

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