Evers’ Healing Heroes tour is back
Optima Batteries and reigning Bassmaster Classic champion Edwin Evers are teaming up again to give deserving Purple Heart veterans once-in-a-lifetime fishing experiences in the Healing Heroes in Action Tour. Beginning June 1, Optima and Evers invite fans on Facebook to bid for a chance to fish against Evers and his veteran partner at one of four events.
Now in its second year, the Healing Heroes in Action Tour supports the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation, a national 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to serving the nation’s combat-wounded Purple Heart veterans through outdoor sporting activities. The tour raises funds via a Facebook auction on Evers’ page, giving fans a chance to face off against the champion and his veteran partner, as well as a valuable prize pack.
The 2015 tour raised more than $12,000 for the Foundation through five local events, but new partnerships with Bassmaster LIVE and presenting sponsor General Tire bring the tour to a national audience via livestream and extended coverage on Bassmaster.com.
Events will take place June 13 in Durant, Okla., June 27 in Union Springs, N.Y., July 26 in Little Rock, Ark. and Aug. 15 in Charles County, Md.
To place a bid to fish against Evers at the first event on June 13, visit www.Facebook.com/EdwinEversFishing.
Pig Roast Helps Wounded Warriors
At Wilderness Bed & Breakfast in Newfield May 21, local organizers of Wounded Warriors in Action held a pig roast to raise money for the group’s second hunting trip. Last year the B & B, located on 21 secluded acres, hosted a group of veterans who enjoyed a few days of hunting and good food, and WWIA is looking forward to doing it again this winter.
Andy Hartenstein, owner of Wilderness Bed and Breakfast in Newfield, offered her pavilion overlooking the B&B’s pond as a scenic venue. Last year the five veterans came from all over the country – Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Fort Drum. They stayed at the B&B the first week in December and had a successful weekend of bowhunting: They ended up getting two bucks and a doe.
Cook said the sound of gunshots can trigger post traumatic stress disorder, so they used bow and arrows instead. Each veteran was accompanied by a guide. Wounded Warriors in Action is a national organizations founded in 2009 and is not affiliated with the Wounded Warriors Project.
Members of the organization are “big believers in outdoor recreation helping the fellows, especially those with traumatic brain injuries,” said Carol Cook, organizer of the hunting trip. WWIA also plans activities like fishing trips, mountain climbing excursions, and even alligator and wild pig hunts.
“It gives them a chance to be in peace and quiet and to have some solitude and to just think,” Cook said.
The men decided to split the meat among themselves so everyone could take some home. Tops supermarket in Watkins Glen processed the deer meat, and Hartenstein, owner of the Wilderness B&B, packaged fresh layers of venison in between layers of frozen meat to keep it cool during their plane rides home.
Hartenstein said she enjoyed getting to know the veterans. The experience gave her a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. “There was one big guy, and he was really the jokester of the group, and come to find out he had been on suicide watch when he came back from overseas,” she said. “So they’ve really been through a lot. He said this was just wonderful.”
At the pig roast, Cook also had a 50/50 raffle with items donated from local business. To complete the festive event, Julianne Wrolstad of Hula Hut Polynesian Dance performed with four of her students. She teaches the hula and traditional dances from Tahiti and New Zealand, giving lessons at the Just Because Center on State Street in Ithaca. When she heard that her friend was planning a pig roast as a fundraiser, it seemed natural that she and Cook team up for a luau-themed event. “In this way were able to help,” she said.
For more information on Wounded Warriors in Action, visit www.wwiaf.org.
For more information about Hula Hut, visit www.hulahut.org or visit their booth on Cayuga Street at Ithaca Festival June 3 and 4.
Combined Insurance Continues to Giving Back to Military Community at Hines Fisher House
Nearly a dozen staff members from Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health, and life insurance products, and a Chubb company, visited the Hines Fisher House in Hines, IL last week to volunteer their time. The team performed gardening duties and planted new flowers to help beautify the grounds, which serve as a ‘home away from home’ for family members, caregivers or loved ones of patients who are receiving medical care at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
“Supporting the military community and its veterans is a passion of Combined Insurance,” says Melanie Lundberg, Assistant Vice President, Talent Management and Corporate Communications at Combined Insurance. “As the number one Military Friendly Employer in the country,* we seek out opportunities where we can actively contribute to organizations that are dedicated to helping our nation’s military and their families. Thousands of military families benefit from the Fisher House every year, and we are proud to continue to support such a worthwhile organization.”
Staff from Combined Insurance volunteered at the Hines Fisher House in Hines, IL on May 19. They handled gardening duties and planted new flowers to help beautify the grounds, which serve as a ‘home away from home’ for family members, caregivers or loved ones of wounded military and veterans receiving medical care at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
Staff from Combined Insurance volunteered at the Hines Fisher House in Hines, IL on May 19. They handled gardening duties and planted new flowers to help beautify the grounds, which serve as a ‘home away from home’ for family members, caregivers or loved ones of wounded military and veterans receiving medical care at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
Founded in 1990 by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, The Fisher House Foundation provides temporary residence for the families and loved ones of wounded military and veterans who receive treatment at VA medical centers. There are currently 70 Fisher Houses across the country where these families can stay at no cost to them. The Hines Fisher House opened its doors on March 1, 2010, and over the past six years has provided accommodations for more than 5,300 guests.
“We are very fortunate that the community has embraced our home, and continually donates both money and time to help with its upkeep. But, in order to provide the level of service that we need to for our military families, it is important that organizations like Combined Insurance continue to step up and contribute, whether it’s through volunteering their time, financial donations or in-kind support. We want the Fisher House to be a ‘home away from home’ for our residents, and having a beautiful landscape and garden is a big part of that,” says Holly Wright, Manager, Hines Fisher House.
Combined Insurance gives back to many military and veteran-focused organizations. In addition to the Fisher House Foundation, Combined Insurance has provided support for the Jason McKie Foundation, Luke’s Wings, Snowball Express, the USO, and the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation.
Named the number one Military Friendly® Employer by G.I. Jobs magazine for the last two years, Combined Insurance has hired more than 2,500 military veterans and those with a military background since launching its veteran recruiting program in 2010. The supplemental insurance provider is committed to hiring 2,800 more military veterans by the end of 2017.
*As named by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine.
Purple Heart Recipients to Enjoy Local Turkey Hunt
Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) is holding another great hunting event for Purple Heart recipients on April 8-11, hosted by Shelley Cohen and Dennis Reynolds, on their property at the edge of Lewis and Wayne counties.
volunteer lynn tiller with hero.tif
Lynn Tiller of Hohenwald, back, volunteered his time in 2015 assisting the Wounded Warriors as a guide for the hunt.
On this all-expense-paid trip, Heroes John, Chance, Justin, and Jonathan will be out hunting turkey for two full days from ground blinds. While the harvest can be exciting, the main event on this trip is the opportunity to connect with other Purple Heart recipients and be enveloped in the warmth of thankful and caring hosts.
Wounded Warriors frequently return home different than when they left to serve our Nation—life in general and their personal and professional lives have changed dramatically. WWIA strives to show these Heroes they can still experience and accomplish milestones in their lives, no matter their current circumstances.
One Hero at last year’s event said, “Of all the events and places I have personally been, this rates right up there with the very best. The hosts, Dennis and Shelley, are great people and do everything within their control to make sure this event is successful for the Heroes.”
Cohen and Reynolds sponsor two hunts in the fall on their property in addition to the turkey hunt in April. For the hosts, their work with WWIA has become a true passion. Cohen says, “Once we hosted veterans for the first time and were so humbled by their stories, we knew this was our calling. We are so grateful for their service and thankful to provide the opportunity for them to get away from the stress of daily life while enjoying hunting here at Doublecreek and connecting with the beautiful countryside.”
Critical to the healing process, whether from traumatic brain injury, permanent limb disability or post- traumatic stress disorder, these events bolster self-confidence while strengthening the bond with nature, local communities and other Purple Heart veterans. Each WWIA event serves three to five Heroes and lasts at least two to three full days, allowing for optimal bonding, brotherhood and camaraderie.
Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) is a national non-profit dedicated to serving our nation’s combat wounded Purple Heart. For more information, please visit www.wwiaf.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wwia or contact us at info@wwiaf.org.
WORLD-CLASS HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PURPLE HEART VETERANS
ARE YOU A PURPLE HEART VETERAN who enjoys the great outdoors? The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation Inc (WWIA) is a national charity that serves combat-wounded veterans by sending them on all-expense-paid hunting and fishing events, and we would love to hear from you. With an ever-growing schedule of opportunities, WWIA is always accepting new applications from Purple Heart recipients who would enjoy attending a world-class outdoor sporting event.
See just how much of a difference WWIA has made in the life of one combat-wounded veteran:
"I don’t need any more stiches–the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation provides the kind of treatment to combat-wounded veterans that we can’t get anywhere else. That’s therapy for the soul."
In 2009, Sergeant Major Pat Corcoran was stationed in the central part of Afghanistan, just south of Kabul. One morning in August, the vehicle he was in ran over a roadside bomb. Thankfully, the equipment they were riding in saved Corcoran’s life, but he suffered extensive spinal cord injuries and was left paralyzed from the waist down.
Pat is a loving husband, the father of two boys, and a lifelong hunter and fisherman. One of Corcoran’s concerns was that he would be unable to enjoy the great outdoors after his injuries. "While in the hospital," Corcoran says, "I met a lot of other soldiers who were avid outdoorsmen just like I am. Combat-wounded veterans returning home, me included, often feel lost in terms of being able to enjoy the outdoors to the same degree they were able to before."
That all changed when Corcoran found the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation. In 2012, he went on his first WWIA event hunting black bear in British Columbia.
"Since I am in a wheelchair," Corcoran says, "I had some concerns about this kind of event, but the folks at WWIA worked very hard to make sure I was comfortable and were there to support me along the way. They do a tremendous job adapting events so that all Warriors, regardless of physical ability, may enjoy them."
Corcoran enjoyed his first experience with WWIA so much that he asked to become a bigger part of the organization. He now leads the Florida Alligator Hunt in Brevard County, one of WWIA’s most popular events.
"I spent my entire adult life in the Army," Corcoran says, "so one of the things I missed even more than being outdoors was the small-unit camaraderie that exists in all branches of the military. One of the unique things about WWIA is that they team three to five veterans on each of these events, which is the size of a combat unit. By the end of the weekend, we can relate to each other as we once did as infantry soldiers."
WWIA encourages American heroes to get back in action; hunting and fishing provide excellent opportunities to assist our wounded veterans in recovering– mentally, physically, and spiritually–from their war experiences. Critical to the healing process, WWIA events bolster self-confidence while strengthening the bond with nature, other Purple Heart recipients, and local communities who care about their wellbeing.
"Being a part of this organization has given me a new perspective on my life," Corcoran says. "After my injuries, I really didn’t think that I could be a productive member of society. They were so extensive that I needed the mental healing that this organization provided, along with the physical healing offered by my doctors."
WWIA has given the gift of long-term healing to Corcoran and hundreds of other combat-wounded veterans with similar stories. Through opportunities like whitetail deer hunting in Wisconsin, pheasant hunting in South Dakota and inshore fishing in Florida, these heroes experience a wide variety of opportunities that fulfill lifelong dreams.
Join the hundreds of others like Pat Corcoran and let WWIA serve you on one of the world-class events at zero cost to you. Please visit wwiaf.org and fill out the online application. In the less than 15 minutes it takes to complete, you could be on your way to enjoying the trip of a lifetime with fellow Purple Heart veterans.
For more information about WWIA and the incredible Heroes being served, please visit wwiaf.org, on Facebook, or call at (813) 938-1390.
Local resident thanks veterans with duck, deer hunting trip
Red Oak Plantation, French to host wounded soldiers.
KTown Hosting WWIA radio interview
Welcome to Kuneytown Sportsman’s Club. Established in 1970. Kuneytown is a sportsman’s club dedicated to preserving our hunting and fishing heritage. We are dedicated to educating and involving our youth in the outdoors so generations to come can enjoy it as members have in the past. For membership information, please contact Eric Riegel at eriegel@rochester.rr.com
For questions or assistance about this site, please contact Keith Tidball at kgtidball@yahoo.com
WWIA Sends Purple Heart Recipients to Fish in Alaska
Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) is sending four Purple Heart recipients on an all-expense-paid fishing trip in Seward, Alaska from June 10-14. Hosted by John Moline of INN and OUT Charters, along with Kenai Fjords Bed & Breakfast, this 3rd annual trip will include three full days of guided fishing and sightseeing.
Hooking that big fish and spending the week in the Great Outdoors helps these veterans achieve a level of satisfaction and achievement that has often been missing from their lives. While the catch can be exciting, the main event on this trip is the opportunity to connect with other Purple Heart recipients and be enveloped in the warmth of a thankful and caring community.
Heroes fishing in Alaska
One Hero on last year’s event said, “I want to say thank WWIA for a wonderful opportunity to get away from the everyday struggles of dealing with the scars of war. Our group was small, but was very intimate. It was nice to have a trip leader who also knows the struggles. I appreciate that this did not feel like a dog-and-pony show, it felt like the only agenda was for us to enjoy time with people like us in the outdoors. I have made friends for life.”
Wounded Warriors frequently return home different than when they left to serve our nation; their personal and professional lives have changed dramatically. WWIA and hosts like Moline strive to show these Heroes that they can still experience and accomplish great things, no matter their current circumstances.
After last year’s event, Host Moline said, “It was a pleasure to offer a few days of fishing, whale watching, glaciers, otters, birds, and dragging up the ‘biggest fish ever’ to a few men who’ve sacrificed so much. Thanks to WWIA for the opportunity to offer this trip again.”
Critical to the healing process, whether from traumatic brain injury, permanent limb disability or post- traumatic stress disorder, these events bolster self-confidence while strengthening the bond with nature, local communities and other Purple Heart veterans. Each WWIA event serves 3-5 Heroes and lasts at least 2-3 full days, allowing for optimal bonding, brotherhood and camaraderie.
PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS TO ENJOY WWIA TURKEY HUNT
Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) is holding another great hunting and fishing event for Purple Heart recipients, hosted by Mr. Jim Kailburn and supporters in Perry, Ohio. This Inaugural event will take place from May 5-8 at beautiful Perry Township Park.
On this all-expense-paid trip, two Heroes will experience two full days of guided turkey hunting in the morning and fishing for walleye in the afternoon and evening. Hooking a big fish or harvesting a tom helps these veterans achieve a level of satisfaction and achievement that has often been missing from their lives. While the harvest can be exciting, the main event on this trip is the opportunity to connect with other Purple Heart recipients and be enveloped in the warmth of a thankful and caring community.
One Hero at a recent WWIA event said, “Although I didn’t quite ‘bag’ a big turkey, I got to get out into the field again and enjoy nature and relax. Being away from the daily grind for a weekend of hunting allowed me time to focus and recharge. The fact that everything was planned and structured took a lot of the stress out of having to plan a trip like this. Everything was top notch and I enjoyed some great camaraderie as well.”
Wounded Warriors frequently return home different than when they left to serve our nation; their personal and professional lives have changed dramatically. WWIA and hosts like Kailburn strive to show these Heroes that they can still experience and accomplish great things, no matter their current circumstances.
Mr. Kailburn is excited to host his first WWIA event. He says, “I’m extremely grateful to be able to provide the opportunity for these Warriors to get away from the stresses of everyday life while enjoying hunting and fishing on beautiful Lake Erie.”
Critical to the healing process, whether from traumatic brain injury, permanent limb disability or post- traumatic stress disorder, these events bolster self-confidence while strengthening the bond with nature, local communities and other Purple Heart veterans. Each WWIA event serves 3-5 Heroes and lasts at least 2-3 full days, allowing for optimal bonding, brotherhood and camaraderie.
ABOUT WWIA
Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) is a national non-profit dedicated to serving 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. For more information, please visit www.wwiaf.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wwia or contact us at info@wwiaf.org.
Community rallies to support Wounded Warriors in Action charity
What better way to serve the public than helping veterans? One local group held an annual charity event Jan. 9 to support the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA).
Headed by Howard Baswell with Spring River Canoe Club and Spring River Land Company, a group of local business owners raised $1,500 to make one veteran very happy.
Baswell explained he frequently vacations in Mexico and while on a fishing trip he met a group of soldiers with physical injuries, as well as those often not visible on the outside. Baswell said he spoke to the lady who owned the guide company inquiring about the men. What she told him not only changed his life, but also prompted him to give to the WWIA.
Baswell explained each year, the Florida based charity hosts a Billfish Tournament and the men he met were part of the Wounded Warrior group. He spent time visiting with the wounded soldiers and explained it costs $1,500 for one soldier to make the trip to Puerto Aventuras, Mexico for the Dave Harris Memorial Billfish Tournament. After speaking with one of the veterans who had lost a leg in service to the U.S. he said, “This trip doesn’t just make our year, it makes our life. It is the best thing we have done since we have been back.” Baswell immediately donated and enlisted the help of other local businesses to help raise money for the project.
With the help of N-Sta Smile and Spring River Barbecue, the group raised the needed money to send a wounded warrior to the 2016 tournament in May. The veteran will be able to get away and enjoy peace and tranquility of the ocean while also joining with other service members like themselves who share some of the same experiences, making the trip both fun and therapeutic.
Former KAIT weatherman and local river rat Terry Wood, served as the charity events master of ceremonies at Cruisers in Hardy. The community packed the house to support the project and enjoy a night of good food, drinks and entertainment. Baswell and Kerry Evans with N-Sta Smile presented the $1,500 check to Retired Hardy Police Chief Ernie Rose and his son and veteran Jeremy Rose on behalf of the group. The money will be sent to the Florida charity to fund the warrior’s trip. Each year, eight are selected for the once in a lifetime five day trip in which they fish, golf, dive and relax in Mexico, far removed from the war that changed their lives forever.
Last year, Raymond Kusch and Jason Gaertner were among the men to attend the event. In 2012, Kusch was on a dismounted ambush patrol when he stepped on a pressure plate of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) resulting in the loss of his left leg. He also suffered shrapnel wounds to all extremities, slight nerve damage in his right arm, a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), a punctured ear drum and continues to battle post traumatic stress and depression.
Gaertner served in the Marines for five years. In 2010, during his third deployment to Afghanistan, Justin lost both legs and sustained other life threatening injuries while doing an IED sweep to establish a helicopter landing zone to evacuate injured Marines. He spent the next year and a half on his recovery and learning how to walk again using prosthetic legs. He has since become a world-class athlete competing in various adaptive sporting events. The stories of the other six men who were chosen to make the trip are equally harrowing.
The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation Inc. (WWIA) 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.
The goal of the foundation is to increase the veterans self reliance and confidence while allowing them to enjoy the outdoors to help them develop a sense of belonging and promote healing and wellness.
The local group makes donations to charity each year. Baswell said they alternate between Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Shop with a Cop and WWIA.
For more information about the foundation, or to host a fundraiser to sponsor a veteran for the event, visit www.daveharrismemorial.org.