WWIA Podcast

On this episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel is joined by two remarkable Americans, Todd Bohm and Tony Kopchinski. Todd and Tony hail from Kronenwetter, Wisconsin. Todd is the Host of the longstanding Wisconsin Cast and Blast event, which has been proudly honoring our Heroes for thirteen years! Tony is Todd’s father-in-law and is the outstanding Host of one of our most unique and revered events, the Wisconsin Woodturning event, which recently celebrated its 9th year of serving our combat-wounded veterans. Todd and Tony have a tremendous heart for our Heroes and have made a tremendous impact and difference in their lives over the years. We are honored to share their thoughts, experiences, and WWIA journey with you today.

The mission of WWIA 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. One of the questions that we get on occasion pertaining to our mission is, how exactly does that work? What does that mean exactly? Well, it’s a great and valid question. On today’s episode, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel answers that question for us, giving clarity and detail behind how our mission and events unfold. There's certainly a great deal that goes into sending our Heroes on these outdoor sporting events across North America and John breaks down the process and particulars to give a better understanding and an inside look on this special “How it Works” episode of the WWIA Podcast.

On today’s episode, we are proud to introduce you to one of our tremendous friends and supporters of the Foundation, Mr. Danny Bourassa. Danny is an Army veteran, and a jack of all trades, who along with his wife Nancy, as well as their children, have been proudly supporting WWIA and serving our Heroes for over a decade. They currently Host the annual WWIA Wisconsin Golf Tournament Fundraiser (over the past 9 years), as well as the Annual Wisconsin Heroes Northland Experience Black Bear Hunt, which will celebrate its 4th iteration this coming fall. We hope you enjoy getting to know Danny as he shares some of his thoughts and experiences with us.

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 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.