I was selected to attend the turkey hunting event in Kansas. First and foremost, I’d like to say thank you! Thank you to WWIA for having a top-notch organization that afforded me the opportunity to do something I would not be able to do without people like you going above and beyond for wounded veterans. I’d like to thank Carl for opening up his home to me as a stranger and treating me as if I were family. Truly a gem in today’s society. I felt extremely comfortable around everyone I met in Glen Elder and Cawker City. You can see their appreciation of us and their love of country. It was nice to be around other vets especially ones that were wounded and could relate. Thanks to Ted for all the Guide work and all the land that he allowed us to be on for this opportunity. Being outdoors and getting away from the everyday life is something that does wonders for me mentally. It also let me gain some confidence. Because of my injuries I didn’t know what I was capable of doing on my own. Thanks to John, Nate, Cole, Herman and Austin for the brotherhood and hospitality. I’d also like to thank Asa and Whitney with whom I spent a lot of time talking and just competing. It was nice to meet them and become friends with them. Thank you again for everything.

-J. Reuber, US Army
Purple Heart Recipient

I just want to thank WWIA as well as the Boisen family for this opportunity to spend the weekend with such great people. Angel and I had an amazing time. Great food, great fishing, great people. Truly a trip of a lifetime.

-J. Scanlan, USMC
Purple Heart Recipient

I can’t describe what a generous gift my boyfriend and I received from the WWIA. It opened the doors to communication of deep feelings and thoughts I didn’t know how to discuss or bring up. It also humbled me as a recipient and strengthened my beliefs of the good in people. It was actually a weight lifted, meeting other individuals struggling with the same issues and developing a network of friends to help guide and support each other through positive reinforcement. I now have a clearer understanding of very hard pasts and how they affect us going forward, the challenges we face as a couple and a family somehow feel more manageable knowing we have the support of these strangers we now call friends.

-A. Bell, Significant Other

This past weekend in Galveston at Brad and Julie Boisen’s was an amazing opportunity to spend some great time with my Fiancé, Claudia and other couples. I found that I had a lot in common with everybody else as far as going through the military experience and relationships. Just sitting back out on the deck of the beach house enjoying the view and talking with everyone was nice. The Boisen’s really put together something special. The food was amazing, and I learned a few new things on how to prepare wild game and fish. I am very thankful that Brad hired a Guide that put me on the biggest speckled trout and flounder I have ever caught. I would like to thank WWIA and John McDaniel for giving myself and Claudia the opportunity to enjoy this past weekend in Galveston, Texas.

-N. Schoon, US Army
Purple Heart Recipient

My Fiancé, Nick and I had such an amazing weekend! The home we stayed in was covered in Jasmine and was heaven to wake up to. Nick and I really needed this weekend getaway and it was the perfect blend of relaxation and the outdoors. Nick caught a huge trout and that brought so much joy to my heart to be able to experience that with him. These are memories that will last forever. Thank you to everyone who made this weekend possible and a special thank you to Julie and Brad for being so gracious and generous and opening their home to us. We will never forget this weekend!

-C. Pereyra, Fiancé

What can I say that hasn’t been said before? This trip isn’t about fishing or even about being in Mexico. This trip is all about family, and that is what Mark, WWIA and the Harris Family all go out of their way to make us feel like. I truly feel that these people have become family and for that I will be forever thankful.

-R. Kusch, US Army
Purple Heart Recipient

Thank you seems to be so inadequate to express my appreciation for the experience of the Western PA Turkey Hunt. Dan and his family are fabulous patriots and hosts. The Guides, Jeremy, Tony, Steven and Frank likewise were focused on our having an unforgettable experience. Everything exceeded my expectations. I certainly felt the love and appreciation from everyone. It reinforced my belief that our great nation will be preserved since we have great patriots such as these. Thanks everyone so very much for the experience. I know that WWIA wouldn’t be possible without Dan and Corrina. This is a chapter of my life I will cherish forever. Respectfully, with many thanks.

T. McDaris, US Army
Purple Heart Recipient

This event was an amazing time. The individuals in charge to offer us a great time fishing and enjoying other veterans did a truly wonderful job. All the Captains of the fishing boats were very knowledgeable, helpful and patient. The people who cooked for us were very friendly and kind. It truly was an awesome weekend. Thank you to Derek Duplisea for sending all messages to make my event great. Thanks to everyone at WWIA for a wonderful event. Great people and great food equaled a great time. I am now a person hooked on fishing! God Bless you all.

-V. Cotto, US Army
Purple Heart Recipient

This event was fabulous. The Guide was excellent in letting us know upfront what was going on. The Host has done a great job of keeping the weekend interesting for all vets. We had a great time in my opinion, even with the weather we had on Friday and Saturday morning. Thank you WWIA for all you do for all the veterans. All I can say is keep up the excellent work.

-G. Apgar, USMC
Purple Heart Recipient

This is my first time doing something like this. I really didn’t know what to expect, not sure if I was going to like it. Much to my surprise I really had a good time with the people taking us fishing and providing for our needs and found it good to be among younger WWIA members. I really had a good relaxing time.

-M. Allumi, USMC
Purple Heart Recipient

I cannot express in mere words the enjoyment I’ve had on this great adventure. We had fun, excitement and encouragement from start to finish. The Guides were friendly, courteous, encouraging and very appreciative of our service in the military. Not sure if I am worthy. However, this trip was fantastic! Thank you for choosing me. I am so fortunate and impressed by all especially the camaraderie with everyone locally.

-K. Wescott, USMC
Purple Heart Recipient

Dear WWIA Founder, staff and supporters, thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to get out into the woods across the country to hunt with awesome people,now friends. What you do for Wounded Warriors like us means a lot to us. Especially when most of us are in desperate need for a chance in life. God Bless you and your staff’s families.

-M Quintero, USMC
Purple Heart Recipient

I want to thank WWIA for inviting me on the Turkey Hunt with the Great Creek Hunt Club. I cannot
explain in full how much fun this hunt was, Great Creek Hunt Club put on an excellent weekend hunting
experience. Nick Fox was a great host representing WWIA and Andy Wilson was our host with Great
Creek Hunt Club. Both of these gentlemen kept us busy with hunting and fishing and when the weather
didn’t want to cooperate we had time to sit back and enjoy the camaraderie and stories everyone had to
offer. The Guide that was assigned to me should have been called the Turkey Whisperer! Major Ball
and I probably put in 20 miles hiking around their hunting grounds. Major would call out to see if there
were any Turkey’s in the area and as soon as he would get a response, he would put me into a position
and point out where I should keep an eye out for the bird. When we went fishing, I was lucky enough
to have Keith invite me onto his boat, we spent most of the afternoon having a blast while catching
some fish. The Great Creek Hunt Club kept up fed and in great spirits, their respect and concern for
what we did in the military was overwhelming and their hospitality was over the top excellent! I just
want to say Thank you to WWIA and Great Creek Hunt Club for an experience I’ll never forget. The only
bad part of the whole experience is now I am hooked on Turkey Hunting, so I will have to go out and
purchase turkey gear to add to my deer hunting gear, I guess that’s not a bad thing if you think about it.

-T. Harris, US Army
Purple Heart Recipient

Thank you so much for putting this woodturning program on with the WWIA. I have learned so much on how to turn wood. This was my first time on a lathe, and I love this so much that I may buy myself a lathe. This has made me feel so much calmer while I am turning. Also, all of the instructors are awesome too.

-M. Engel, US Army
Purple Heart Recipient