WWIA Podcast

On this episode, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel is at the Foundation’s Northern Healing Center, Camp Hackett, and is honored to spend some time speaking with two outstanding combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes, United States Marine Corp Master Gunnery Sergeant, Travis Jones and former United States Marine Corp Gunnery Sergeant and current United States Navy Lieutenant, Mike Murphy, both of whom were attending the 16th Annual Camp Hackett Group A event. They spend time talking about their experience at Camp Hackett, from the excitement of the hunts, fishing for the elusive musky, to the power of nature, community, connection, and camaraderie. It’s an incredible conversation that we’re honored to share with you.

Welcome to the WWIA Podcast! Today, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel introduces us to his longtime friend and a remarkable supporter of the Foundation, Mr. Tom Schenk. Tom is a former Army Ranger, an avid fisherman, and owner of Chippewa River Custom Rod Company. In 2002, realizing the city life wasn't for him, he headed off to Northern Wisconsin, stopping at the junction of the Chippewa and Flambeau rivers--the heart of musky country. He found himself owning a small tavern and building custom fishing rods. He continues building some of the finest rods available today. Visit Chippewa River Custom Rod online to see their amazing selection of custom rods: https://crcustomrod.com

Welcome back to another special edition of the WWIA Podcast! In the conclusion (part 8) of this series, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, shares the remaining years of his military career as he moves from the Florida Keys to his final assignment at SOCOM at MacDill Airforce Base in Tampa, Florida. John further explains how he transitioned from retirement to founding the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA).

This special podcast series was released to commemorate John J. McDaniel Day and follow John throughout his 20 years of military service up to where, how, and why the Foundation was started. These episodes are filled with great stories, personal and historical insights, and chronicle John’s journey as only he can tell it.

In 2013, Mayor Buck Tower officially proclaimed April 19th as John J. McDaniel Day in the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. John started his military career after graduating from The University of Wisconsin Madison and going through the ROTC program. During his career as a former Infantry officer, Airborne Ranger, and Master Parachutist he earned such awards as the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the Master Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. John served on active duty from November 1987 to November 2007. Soon after John’s retirement, he felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. As a concerned citizen, he started taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing and outreach was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009, The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and with the help of a remarkable network of Patriotic Hosts, Guides, Supporters, Volunteers, and caring communities across North America, they have been changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes ever since. We hope you enjoy this special series.

Welcome back to another special edition of the WWIA Podcast! In part seven of this series, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, continues expounding on his military career as he moves on from Washington D.C. to the Joint Southern Surveillance Reconnaissance Operations Center (JSSROC) in Key West, Florida.

This special podcast series was released to commemorate John J. McDaniel Day and follow John throughout his 20 years of military service up to where, how, and why the Foundation was started. These episodes are filled with great stories, personal and historical insights, and chronicle John’s journey as only he can tell it.

In 2013, Mayor Buck Tower officially proclaimed April 19th as John J. McDaniel Day in the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. John started his military career after graduating from The University of Wisconsin Madison and going through the ROTC program. During his career as a former Infantry officer, Airborne Ranger, and Master Parachutist he earned such awards as the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the Master Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. John served on active duty from November 1987 to November 2007. Soon after John’s retirement, he felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. As a concerned citizen, he started taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing and outreach was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009, The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and with the help of a remarkable network of Patriotic Hosts, Guides, Supporters, Volunteers, and caring communities across North America, they have been changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes ever since. We hope you enjoy this special series.

Welcome back to another special edition of the WWIA Podcast! In part six of this series, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, continues covering his military career and discusses his time at Command and General Staff College (CGSG) including an interesting assignment in Washington D.C. during 9/11.

This special podcast series was released to commemorate John J. McDaniel Day and follow John throughout his 20 years of military service up to where, how, and why the Foundation was started. These episodes are filled with great stories, personal and historical insights, and chronicle John’s journey as only he can tell it.

In 2013, Mayor Buck Tower officially proclaimed April 19th as John J. McDaniel Day in the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. John started his military career after graduating from The University of Wisconsin Madison and going through the ROTC program. During his career as a former Infantry officer, Airborne Ranger, and Master Parachutist he earned such awards as the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the Master Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. John served on active duty from November 1987 to November 2007. Soon after John’s retirement, he felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. As a concerned citizen, he started taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing and outreach was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009, The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and with the help of a remarkable network of Patriotic Hosts, Guides, Supporters, Volunteers, and caring communities across North America, they have been changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes ever since. We hope you enjoy this special series.

Welcome back to another special edition of the WWIA Podcast! In part five of this series, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, continues discussing his military career as he details his time in Alaska including the 501st Long Range Surveillance Detachment and Space Command.

This special podcast series was released to commemorate John J. McDaniel Day and follow John throughout his 20 years of military service up to where, how, and why the Foundation was started. These episodes are filled with great stories, personal and historical insights, and chronicle John’s journey as only he can tell it.

In 2013, Mayor Buck Tower officially proclaimed April 19th as John J. McDaniel Day in the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. John started his military career after graduating from The University of Wisconsin Madison and going through the ROTC program. During his career as a former Infantry officer, Airborne Ranger, and Master Parachutist he earned such awards as the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the Master Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. John served on active duty from November 1987 to November 2007. Soon after John’s retirement, he felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. As a concerned citizen, he started taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing and outreach was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009, The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and with the help of a remarkable network of Patriotic Hosts, Guides, Supporters, Volunteers, and caring communities across North America, they have been changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes ever since. We hope you enjoy this special series.

Welcome back to another special edition of the WWIA Podcast! In part three and four of this series, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, continues discussing his early military career as he expounds on his post-Ranger School assignment, combat in Panama, and an awesome story involving alligators and beer.

This special podcast series was released to commemorate John J. McDaniel Day and follow John throughout his 20 years of military service up to where, how, and why the Foundation was started. These episodes are filled with great stories, personal and historical insights, and chronicle John’s journey as only he can tell it.

In 2013, Mayor Buck Tower officially proclaimed April 19th as John J. McDaniel Day in the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. John started his military career after graduating from The University of Wisconsin Madison and going through the ROTC program. During his career as a former Infantry officer, Airborne Ranger, and Master Parachutist he earned such awards as the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the Master Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. John served on active duty from November 1987 to November 2007. Soon after John’s retirement, he felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. As a concerned citizen, he started taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing and outreach was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009, The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and with the help of a remarkable network of Patriotic Hosts, Guides, Supporters, Volunteers, and caring communities across North America, they have been changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes ever since. We hope you enjoy this special series.

Welcome back to another special edition of the WWIA Podcast! In part two of this series, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, continues discussing his early military career as he moves into his time at Ranger School.

This special podcast series was released to commemorate John J. McDaniel Day and follow John throughout his 20 years of military service up to where, how, and why the Foundation was started. These episodes are filled with great stories, personal and historical insights, and chronicle John’s journey as only he can tell it.

In 2013, Mayor Buck Tower officially proclaimed April 19th as John J. McDaniel Day in the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. John started his military career after graduating from The University of Wisconsin Madison and going through the ROTC program. During his career as a former Infantry officer, Airborne Ranger, and Master Parachutist he earned such awards as the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the Master Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. John served on active duty from November 1987 to November 2007. Soon after John’s retirement, he felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. As a concerned citizen, he started taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing and outreach was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009, The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and with the help of a remarkable network of Patriotic Hosts, Guides, Supporters, Volunteers, and caring communities across North America, they have been changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes ever since. We hope you enjoy this special series.

Welcome to a special edition of the WWIA Podcast! In case you didn’t know, today is John J. McDaniel Day! In 2013, Mayor Buck Tower officially proclaimed April 19th as John J. McDaniel Day in the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. John started his military career after graduating from The University of Wisconsin Madison and going through the ROTC program. During his career as a former Infantry officer, Airborne Ranger, and Master Parachutist he earned such awards as the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the Master Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. John served on active duty from November 1987 to November 2007. Soon after John’s retirement, he felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. As a concerned citizen, he started taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing and outreach was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009, The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and with the help of a remarkable network of Patriotic Hosts, Guides, Supporters, Volunteers, and caring communities across North America, they have been changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes ever since.

In recognition of John J. McDaniel Day, we are releasing a series of special podcast episodes featuring WWIA’s Founder and CEO, John McDaniel. These episodes follow John throughout his 20 years of military service up to where, how, and why the Foundation was started. These episodes are filled with great stories, personal and historical insights, and chronicle John’s journey as only he can tell it. Please join us in recognizing and celebrating John McDaniel Day, and we hope you enjoy this special series.

On this episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel spends some time talking with Mr. Dave Hintz, one of the Foundation’s longest and most ardent supporters. Dave is the founder and driving force behind Hides for Heroes, a phenomenal fundraising powerhouse based in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Through their tremendous hard work and collective efforts, the incredible Hides for Heroes team has donated over $127,000 to WWIA since 2012! Dave's dedication, patriotism, and thoughtfulness are second-to-none, and we hope you enjoy getting to know him and his example of how one person's ingenuity and generosity can blossom into something amazing that impacts thousands of lives! We know you’re going to love this episode.