J. Krueger

It is the day after out Gator Hunt. I have been on trips before and regardless every time is a step into the unknown. When I arrived at the airport I immediately knew who was picking me up. Here comes this giant F-350 pickup lifted and loud. My first thought was, “oh shit, this dude is just like me. Has to be with a truck like that”. We quickly rallied with the other warriors. It was like we had known each other for years. John was an inspiration to us all immediately. I think the reason this organization works is because of who John is and what he stands for. Without John and his family, this organization fails. It takes a special person to connect with warriors, to gain their trust, and ultimately inspire them. John does that. We also had the time to spend with other great patriots. Duane Wallace poured his heart & soul in to the coordination of this hunt and it showed. Without Duane, this would not have been possible. Duane is not alone, Brian, Cajun, Phil, Jerry and many others stood up and supported us 100% by helping make this event possible.
So, what is it to hunt a gator off an airboat? Can you even fathom that? I couldn’t. First the airboats. What great examples of American ingenuity. These things are fast, loud, and can turn on a dime. I want one. Someday, I will have one. I will tag it out with lights and it will be awesome. Now onto the gators. Toothy aggressive little pricks that could take your life if you made a mistake. That’s the thrill of it. I harpooned my gator right off the front of the boat after fours misses prior. I was starting to sweat it a little bit. “what if I can’t throw this thing?” It is something that is definitely not natural and takes practice. So finally, we get him in the boat, tape his mouth and proceed to extinguish his life with John’s knife in the back of the skull into the spinal column. The pressure was off, and I just took down one of America’s most dangerous animals. WWIA-1, Gators-0. We continued to hunt (run & gun, balls out). Captain Phil has his own unique way of doing things which is cool. John says the reunion after the hunt is the best and I have to agree. The beer was flowing just like the war stories. These types of trips for me are spiritually cleansing. We all get so wrapped up in our own worlds that it becomes counterproductive. This trip renewed my faith in people and has helped me remember who I am and what I stand for. It also brings to the forefront the values I hold dear and why I associate with a certain breed. Better having been able to spend these last three days with my brothers in arms. Hopefully, I can grow with the WWIA in the future and become an implement to the grand plan. I am looking forward to crowning the 2011 Swamp Babe next year.
I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that have been bestowed upon me. I will never be able to say, “thank you” enough. Hopefully, someday, I can show the same hospitality to all the people who have offered it to me. Semper Fidelis,