Hunting with heroes: Combat-wounded veterans participate in weekend pheasant hunt

“I am really excited,” he said. “I went on YouTube and got a couple of lessons on how to hunt the pheasants, so I’ll be OK. I really like YouTube.”

On Friday afternoon, eight combat-wounded veterans, including Stawasz, from across the country filed into Cabela’s to obtain hunting licenses so they could spend the weekend in the fields, during a trip sponsored by the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation.

This weekend’s all expenses paid event in Plankinton will host the eight veterans for a four-day guided pheasant hunt. The men’s injuries sustained in battle range in severity, as some have limited mobility and others sustained traumatic brain injuries and permanent limb disabilities.

Korean War veteran Len Stawasz, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, right, thanks Brad Boisen for hosting him and seven others for a hunting trip after obtaining his out-of-state hunting license on Friday afternoon at Cabela’s. Boisen is hosting eight Purple Heart recipients as part of a Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation program this weekend at his hunting lodge near Plankinton. (Matt Gade / Republic)

Stawasz, a Nebraska native, spent several years growing up watching his older relatives hunt, but didn’t get involved, which he regretted for a long time.

He doesn’t talk much about his time in the war, but proudly wears a hat adorned with pins and buttons signifying his service. And the sharp-minded, witty elder was thankful for the opportunity to participate in a South Dakota pheasant hunt.

“Oh, this is just so amazing, the opportunity is something I wouldn’t have ever expected,” Stawasz said. “It makes me feel real good.”

The objective of the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation is to provide combat-wounded Purple Heart recipients the opportunity to enjoy American outdoor pastimes. The organization has sponsored bear hunts, fishing trips and pheasant hunting trips, which generally take place in South Dakota.

Based in Florida, other events sponsored by the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation this year include a moose hunt in Alberta, Canada, an archery deer hunt in Pennsylvania, a fishing trip in St. Louis, Missouri, and more.

Participants are split into several small groups, and spend three to five days together, participating in activities many believed were no longer possible due to injuries sustained in the line of duty.

But there are mental benefits, too.

“I think, most importantly, the trips allows them to talk about some of the issues they typically can’t talk about in their day-to-day lives,” event host Brad Boisen said. “I’d say about 80 to 90 percent have some level of (post traumatic stress disorder) and they’re dealing with real issues.”

‘American heroes’

Several years ago, Boisen’s wife, Julie, was riding on a plane when she became embroiled in conversation with a fellow passenger. Julie told the man the Boisens were searching for a cause to become involved with, and the man suggested the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation. Shortly after, Boisen called the founder and the couple has been involved ever since, hosting several events, including South Dakota pheasant hunts and guided fishing trips in Galveston, Texas.

The Boisens own a hunting lodge near Plankinton, but currently live in Texas.

For the Boisens, the ability to positively impact “American heroes’ ” lives keeps them coming back to host more events.

And Boisen feels it’s one way to give back to veterans who risked their lives to provide his freedoms.

“When I was at that point in my life making directional choices for life, I had the opportunity to serve, but I decided not to. I’ve never worn the uniform and I’ve never put my life at risk,” he said. “If I was to have a regret, that’s probably one of them, but I have an undying regard for the men and women who have sacrificed and served and put their lives in harm’s way … If it wasn’t for them, it’d be a different world.”

Participants

The eight men participating in the weekend hunt are: Marco Dominguez, Colorado; Logan Thompson, Texas; Todd Brannon, Florida; Larry Campbell, Florida; Richard Sanchez, Colorado; Len Stawasz, Colorado; Jon French, Michigan; and Jake Whipkey, Pennsylvania.

Wounded Warrior Fundraiser Hot Spring Spas of Music City

Hot Spring Spas of Music City (HSSMC) donated $100 for every spa sold in the month of May 2017 to the Wounded Warrior in Action Foundation (WWIAF). This year HSSMC sold 29 spas in May 2017 and presented a check for $2,900 to WWIAF. WWIAF’s Mission Statement is “to serve our Nation’s combat wounded Purple Heart recipients by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities as a means to recognize and honor their sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, and promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors.”

History of WWIAF: “Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John J. McDaniel founded Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation in 2007 and established its corporate headquarters in Apollo Beach, Florida. A retired Army officer, John felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. He started as a concerned citizen taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009 WWIA was granted 501(c)(3) Non-Profit status and has been changing the lives of American Heroes and American Sportsmen and women across the country ever since.” HSSMC supports WWIAF due to Kevin J Croteau, Co-Owner, HSSMC and John McDaniel are “End Men” and Brother-In-Arms, approximately 90% goes to direct support of WWIAF (very low administrative costs). HSSMC is a veteran-owned business continuing the support of our fellow veterans, specifically Purple Heart recipients! If you would like to support WWIAF please visit their website. RLTW/AATW!

Hides For Heroes reaches goal

Pictured left to right: Purple Heart recipient and Iraqi War veteran Matt Tennessen representing Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation, Weyauwega Fremont High School FFA teacher Sandra Dykes, WFHS high school and FFA members Kyle Loehrke and Katelyn Loehrke, and Wisconsin Conservation Warden Jeff Knorr.

Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation Luncheon and Fundraiser

Wounded Warriors In Action Luncheon

Saturday March 4, 2017

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977

Lt. Col. John McDaniel will be speaking for the WWIAF along with three Purple Heart Veterans. $20 donation per person. 100% proceeds go to the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation. Please feel free to bring an appetizer, a dish or a dessert to share. It would be greatly appreciated.

Large raffle prize includes: Ruger AR-556 AND a Ruger SR-22 together – $20 raffle tickets on sale NOW at the Canteen.  Also, many bucket raffle baskets will be drawn during the day including a foot locker full of booze (tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20).

Visit their site at WWIAF.ORG (Please note:  WWIAF is NOT affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project.)

Purple Heart Recipients Fish Muskies In Eagle River

Wounded Warriors In Action is an organization that provides vets who have suffered combat injuries in defense of our country various opportunities to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors as a means of therapy and fellowship. In this process, wounded vets from all branches of the service join forces for a common goal.

In September, Scott Samuels, Musky Hunter Editor Emeritus Joe Bucher and a group of dedicated fishing guides invited WWIA vets to Eagle River, Wisconsin, for an all-expense paid weekend of musky fishing. This included travel, lodging, guides and even tackle. Sponsors, both local and corporate, fund the entire program, while guides and volunteers donate their services to accommodate the logistics.

“These true American heroes deserve so much,” said Bucher, one of those who contributes his time, expertise and even product sponsorship to ensure success. “It’s a genuine pleasure to be part of such a heart warming event on so many levels.”

Joe Bucher shows vets how to set the control mechanism on their reels.

Four muskies were boated at this event, all caught by WWIA vets including a 46-incher by Steven Kilburn of Nashville, Tennessee. Vietnam vet Tony Starcevic of St. Cloud, Minnesota, caught two muskies of 43 and 42 1/2 inches. Tyson Scott from Tyler, Texas, caught a 39 1/2-incher. In every case, these were first-time musky hunters.

“Recruiting new anglers to our great sport of musky fishing should be the goal of every one of us today,” Bucher said. “Military vets are perfectly suited for this style of fishing with all the focus on discipline and mechanics.”

Event coordinator Scott Samuels, Bucher and the local chapter of Muskies Inc. plan on conducting this event annually every September. Any vets interested in participating should visit the WWIA website at: www.wwiaf.org.

Purple Hearted Heroes coming to Lake Shore Park

Area residents will have an opportunity to show their support and appreciation for veterans Aug. 5 at Lake Shore Park.

The American Legion Riders from Post No. 103, in conjunction with the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation, will host its fourth annual Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation weekend event. Not to be confused with the Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warriors in Action is a 100-percent donation-based organization whose mission is to serve the nation’s combat wounded Purple Heart recipients, officials said.

Wounded Warriors in Action provides outdoor sporting activities to recognize and honor each veteran’s sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, as well as promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors, according to the organization’s website.

Purple Heart recipients from all over the nation will be escorted through Lake Shore Park between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., led by a motorcycle driven by Capt. Gerald Cornelius of the Ashtabula Police Department, who served as an Army Ranger in the Vietnam War.

Members of the American Legion will be handing American flags to spectators and supporters so they can display their appreciation and wave to the veterans as they pass by, said David B. Mackey, a member of the American Legion Dewey Howlett Post No. 103.

“Please help make these Purple Hearted heroes feel the appreciation they deserve,” he said. “The whole idea for going to Lake Shore Park is to let those who may want to cheer and pay tribute to real heroes. Let’s give them a hero’s welcome.”

The American Legion recommends area residents show their support during the escorted ride to Lake Shore Park and suggests residents line the streets on Bridge Street at the lift bridge, as well as Lance Cpl. Kevin Cornelius Memorial Park and Smith Field.

Other events during the weekend include a private fishing trip and steak dinner for the Wounded Warriors in Action, which gives them “time to get to know one another and start to build the bond of brotherhood,” Mackey said.

The service members range from Vietnam veterans to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The group is open to letting any service member from any war join their program, the only requirement is that they received a Purple Heart.

There is no out of pocket cost for service members. The support of the community is appreciated, Mackey said, adding veterans love coming to these events and to Ashtabula County.

To learn more about the American Legion Dewey Howlett Post No. 103, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/AmericanLegionDeweyHowlett Post103.

Casino collects almost $21,000 for WWIA

Combat-wounded veterans will benefit from an annual charitable initiative hosted by St. Croix Casino Danbury: The casino’s fourth annual fundraiser for Wounded Warriors in Action (WWIA) collected $21,936.23.

The 2016 fundraiser’s success was the result of St. Croix Casino Danbury employees, area businesses, and casino vendors working together on the following fundraising activities over the span of four months.

Candy Sales: $13,660

Beginning in February, St. Croix Casinos employees and 23 area businesses sold World’s Finest Chocolate to raise funds for WWIA. Employees competed for top sales honors, with 10 employees receiving cash prizes.

Viking Coca-Cola of Rice Lake provided incentives for the employee contest, and numerous local businesses sold the candy.

WWIA T-shirt Sales:

$3,000

WWIA T-shirts were sold at the casino for $10 each. T-shirts were donated by two of the casino’s vendors.

Employee Donations: $3,545

Survivorman Les Stroud Concert: $670

Half of the proceeds from a June 11 concert by Survivorman Les Stroud was donated to WWIA.

Cash Donation Box: $1,061.23

In recognition of St. Croix Casino Danbury’s contribution, WWIA founder John McDaniel, lieutenant colonel (Retired) said, “The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation is extremely humbled and honored by St. Croix Casinos’ generosity and philanthropic ways. Our nation’s combat-wounded Purple Heart recipients will be the direct benefactors of 100 percent of this amazing donation.

“These proceeds will be applied to support our healing work in the great state of Wisconsin, specifically at our healing center located in the north woods.

“Our heroes and I would like to thank all the great patrons and employees who support the St. Croix Casinos and our war-wounded veterans,” McDaniel said. “A big salute to all!”

The first annual fundraiser, hosted by St. Croix Casino Danbury in June 2013, raised $9,925.55 for Wounded Warriors in Action and $7,345.55 for other veterans programs.

The casino’s 2013 donation to WWIA was the largest single donation ever received by WWIA.

The casino’s second annual fundraiser for WWIA collected $10,978.78, and the third in 2015 took in $11,967.

The $21,936.23 raised during this year’s fundraiser brings the St. Croix Casino Danbury’s total contribution to WWIA since 2013 to $54,807.56.

Wounded Warriors in Action is an organization that serves the nation’s combat-wounded Purple Heart recipients by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities as a means to recognize and honor their sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, and promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors.

Missouri-Kansas catfishing event by Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation

The first Missouri-Kansas catfishing event by Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation took place this month with three Purple Heart recipients participating.

Wounded Warriors in Action is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2007 and is based in Apollo Beach, Florida. The organization also has sponsored a successful duck and deer hunt in the area for several years that has more than 100 volunteers.

The mission of the group is to serve the nation’s combat wounded Purple Heart recipients by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities as a means to recognize and honor their sacrifice.

“We had so many good people in the community that were wanting to help, we decided to take on an extra event this year,” Brian Roderick, chapter president, said.

The three participants each boarded their own boats and were guided along the Missouri River.

Tyson Scott and Brandon Pool from Texas and Duane Merchant from Oklahoma caught more than 300 pounds of catfish during the three-day event along the river.

Each member that fished with a guide stayed at the Napier Hunt Club in Holt County.

At the river, Merchant caught a trophy 50-pound flathead catfish and the group pulled-in several 40-pound blue cats. The trip produced among the largest fish the group had caught.

“The 50-pound catfish was probably the biggest fish I’ve seen caught,” Scott said. “Where I fish from, if you catch a 5-pound fish, you did well, so catching 50-pounders was pretty insane.”

In addition, the event incorporated bass fishing at a local private pond where the group also reeled in walleye and crappie.

The trio kept the catfish and held a fish fry and each also took home a few pounds of fish.

Kelly Bostian: Edwin Evers tour rewards veterans, anglers with immeasurable catch

MADILL — Fishing contests, on the surface, give us a yardstick to measure many things: angler skills, effective baits and techniques, the health of fisheries, maybe even one person’s luck verses another’s — the quality of an angler’s day on the water.

Always beneath that surface, however, is the immeasurable stuff. On Monday, eight men launched boats on a pair of private lakes in south-central Oklahoma and had a fishing contest. The results of the day were just that — immeasurable.

We’re not going to forget the actual measurements, however. No chance of that.

The Edwin Evers OPTIMA Batteries Healing Heroes in Action Tour produced some impressive numbers Monday. The group was hosted by the Basil Savage family, of Savage Equipment, on two 30-acre private lakes on their home pecan operation, Hauani Creek Ranch.

The event had Talala bass pro Edwin Evers with Purple Heart recipient Levi Crawford of Jonesboro, Arkansas, fishing against three other teams — two other Elite Series pros and two other Purple Heart recipients, plus a pair of brothers from the Tulsa area who won a Facebook bidding contest to compete in the event.

Chuck and Doug Wells’ $1,200 bid went entirely to the nonprofit Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation, which connects Purple Heart veterans across the country with outdoors-oriented adventures.

Crawford announced before breakfast that he “smelled bacon and a butt-whippin’,” and the former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. proceeded to deliver on that promise.

Former U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Tyson Scott of Amarillo, Texas, fished with California angler Chris Zaldain, and former Marine Cpl. Grady Rakestraw of Shattuck fished with Alabama pro Timmy Horton.

Crawford and Evers brought three fish to the scales, weighing 17 pounds, 12 ounces. Each team with a pro had to bring in one fish caught by the pro and two caught by the veteran.

Each of the three veterans caught the biggest bass of their lives. Crawford had yet to graduate from the 4-pounder club. He broke that mark many times on Monday and his largest was 7-11.

Each team brought in a bag averaging about 5 pounds per fish. They caught-and-released hard-pulling, jumping, running 4-plus-pounders all day long. Rakestraw and Horton hit 14-7, the Wells brothers posted 15-6 and Scott and Zaldain smacked 15-8.

This is Evers’ second year for the Heroes tour. He has three more events like it booked for this year, each taking place the day after a tournament. Evers said he sees it as a blessing.

“I’m in a position that, fortunately, people want to fish with me, and I was looking for a way to give back,” he said.

Chuck Wells is Postmaster in Talala and he knows Evers fairly well; well enough that he checked before he put in a bid — “Just to make sure it wasn’t a conflict or something,” he said.

The bid landed the brothers a chance to fish against the pros on the private lakes, but the stack of items in the prize package from Evers’ sponsors — Lowrance, MegaBass, Zoom, OPTIMA, General Tire and Bass Pro Shops — was generous, as well.

The brothers lost their uncle, Richard “Dean” Wells, who had two Purple Hearts, to health complications stemming from Agent Orange in 2008. A good fishin’ buddy of theirs, George Baker, a retired Air Force pilot, recently died of a heart attack while he was fishing on Oologah Lake.

“He was an amazing man. Great family,” Chuck Wells said.

Wells said he has been inspired by and worked with many veterans over the years.

“It was just to contribute,” he said of his decision to make the bid.

Each of the veterans walked away with fishin’ tales to share and so did the pros and the brothers Wells — an amazing catch, a fishing technique learned. To a man, however, they commented repeatedly, “What a day.”

The personal experience of fishing and fellowship, environment and nature is difficult to quantify.

Three Purple Heart veterans home and free from the sands and heat of Iraq and Afghanistan launched into smooth waters on a day that dawned gray and still, moist, with just enough breeze now and then to let a body breathe.

It was like heaven put a gray blanket over the place to erase the sun and the passing of the hours so they could just fish. Explosions of bass hitting surface lures echoed across those still waters like cracks of distant firecrackers, followed by the laughter of men becoming friends, making dreams come true, making memories for a lifetime.

That’s the immeasurable stuff.

Veterans Take Fishing Trip of a Lifetime with Bassmaster Anglers; Optima Healing Heroes In Action

MADILL, OK –   One of the biggest fishing tournaments, the Bassmaster Elite Series may have come to an end here in Texoma, but it wasn’t over for three professional anglers, who took some lucky veterans on a special trip on Monday.

Their handshakes and laughter says it all. What began as a fishing trip between six strangers, ended in a bond of friendship, thanks to several pounds of bass.

“It’s so humbling, because these guys have been through so much, yet they have such a good attitude, said 2016 Bassmaster Champion, Edwin Evers.

On Monday, three bass masters teamed up with three veterans with the wounded warriors in action to see who could reel in the biggest catch of the day.

Evers worked together with the non-profit organization, Wounded Warriors in Action, to put on the fishing event for the second time.

“Today’s event was amazing, it was a whole lot of fun,” said Marine Corps Veteran, Grady Rakestraw.

“It was a blast, you can see I’m sweating so badly, but there were fish left and right,” said Marine Corps Veteran, Tyson Scott.

A fishing trip put together by the elite anglers, in hopes of giving back and saying thank you to the three servicemen, Tyson Scott of Amarillo, Texas, Levi Crawford of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Grady Rakestraw of Elk City, Oklahoma.

“These guys are purple hear recipients, they’re the real deal, they’ve given the ultimate sacrifice for all of our freedoms,” said Evers.

Crawford joined the army at the age of seventeen, and was injured during his tour in Afghanistan, when a grenade exploded.

“It came in on the left side, all this is reconstructed and I asked them to make me look like Brad Pitt, that didn’t happen, but I’m still here,” said Army National Guard Veteran, Levi Crawford.

Like Crawford, U.S. Marine Corps Veterans, Grady Rakestraw and Tyson Scott were also wounded during their time of service.

“I was hit by a mortar in 2006, it was like four days into my deployment,” said Scott.

“I was an infantry squad leader; and that’s where I took bullet shrapnel to the leg,” said Rakestraw.

KTEN.com – No One Gets You Closer

Each vet and angler paired off to cast a line, launching their boats at two private lakes on savage farms in Madill.

“It’s just neat to take those guys out there, and introduce them to the sport, to bass fishing,” said Evers.

2016 Bassmaster Classic champion, Edwin Evers and partner, Levi Crawford came in first place, their combined catch weighing in at just over seventeen pounds.

“I’m on cloud nine, I can’t tell you just how good the experience was,” said Crawford.

And while all three veterans may be from different parts of the country, they’re thankful a fishing trip of a lifetime has brought together their love for the outdoors and their country as one.

“It was a very unique, and once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Rakestraw.

To learn more about the” Wounded Warriors in Action “organization, click here.

If you would like to bid, and join other veterans and Bassmaster Classic champion, Edwin Evers on their next fishing trip, click here.