Some good news for a change from my newspaper reporter daughter.
You can learn much more about the Show of Support organization, watch a video, and meet the 2006 heroes here.
Posted on 05/20/2007 6:41:03 AM PDT by Zakeet
Terry Johnson felt guilty about the cozy life he has lived in West Texas and not being the one who earned the freedoms he and his Family have enjoyed.
He thought about how to thank the troops who worked for those freedoms, and he decided to take two wounded Soldiers on an all-expenses-paid deer hunting trip.
“It was my way of saying thanks to these men and women who are keeping us free from terror,” said Johnson, who owns a field service company in Midland, one of the epicenters of the nation’s oil and gas industry.
“That is absolutely the driving force behind it,” Johnson continued. “I’m not a veteran, and there is a little bit of guilt there…I’ve had a great life, and that didn’t come free. I feel very beholden to these people for providing my freedoms for me and my Family.”
As word spread of Johnson’s sponsorship of the wounded Soldiers in 2004, business owners and well-wishers throughout West Texas and hunters from across the state began donating money so Johnson could take more troops hunting.
Johnson has enough money this year to take 40 wounded warriors on the trip and provide a special getaway for their spouses. Applications are being accepted and can be obtained by visiting www.showofsupport.org or e-mailing Johnson to ask for an application.
The only criterion that must be met is being wounded in action in the war on terrorism, Johnson said. The opportunity is open to men and women and wounded warriors from all services.
Narrowing down who gets to go “is a tough one because every one of them deserve it,” Johnson said. “I like to pick the guys that are thinking they won’t be able to do the things they used to do. And I like to show them, yes, you can.”
Former 1st Cavalry Division Soldier Jay Fondren was treated to a trip in 2005, and going hunting again proved he could still do what he always enjoyed after losing both legs above the knee and most of the use of his right arm.
Fondren, who was right-handed, was wounded in a roadside bomb attack in November 2004 in Iraq. He heard about the opportunity, and looking forward to the trip was what got him through the physical therapy and rehabilitation. He even learned to shoot with his left hand so he’d be ready for the hunt.
Those who are chosen for the hunt this year, along with their spouses, will be flown to Midland and will have rooms reserved at a downtown hotel. A banquet is planned in their honor Nov. 15.
The banquet typically is star-studded. Country musicians, politicians and high-ranking military officials usually attend. Gov. Rick Perry attended last year. Several celebrities, including musicians and a television star who is particularly loved among Soldiers, have expressed interest in coming, though nothing has been scheduled definitely yet. Country musician Darrell Worley is scheduled to perform in a separate concert for the hunting guests and their spouses Nov. 14.
After the banquet, the troops are taken on a three-day hunting trip. They’ll look for white tail deer near San Angelo and mule deer near the mountains in Fort Stockton and Alpine.
Their hunting clothes are furnished, and all meals are provided, something Fondren remembers with special fondness.
“Every night, it was the best food you could get – steaks, barbecue, venison,” Fondren said. “Sometimes, they would go out and get a doe and dress it, and we had it for dinner. I think everybody left a couple pounds heavier.”
Each hunter also is given a rifle and scope. Johnson and his supporters pay for shoulder mounts and meat processing, also. Fondren came home with a cooler full of meat and had two mounts – an eight-point buck and an 11-point buck he plans to hang in his new home office.
During the hunt, the wounded warriors’ spouses are taken on shopping sprees, treated to meals in some of West Texas’ most popular restaurants and taken to tour West Texas attractions.
“We try to carry them around on a satin pillow for three days while their husbands were off hunting,” Johnson said.
All of the spouses’ expenses are paid as well, Johnson said.
“They truly can come without a thing in their pocket,” Johnson said. “They don’t need it. Their money is no good here.”
Fondren’s wife was treated to the shopping trip and said she enjoyed being around other spouses of wounded Soldiers.
“Getting to be with some other military spouses going through the same thing she was going through was really helpful,” Fondren said.
Fondren encourages all wounded Soldiers to apply, even if they have never hunted before. Johnson and others will teach the Soldiers all they need to know and will help them find large deer, said Fondren, who has been hunting for years. And people with special needs are accommodated, Fondren said, adding Soldiers who use a wheelchair or have damaged eyesight have been.
The trip is an opportunity to get away from hospitals and to experience some heart-felt appreciation, Fondren said.
“It’s not a political thing,” Fondren said. “They don’t want to bring you out there to take your picture. It’s strictly a thank you.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the program may do so at Johnson’s Web site. He plans to continue the trips as long as troops are wounded.
“There are 20-plus thousand wounded veterans,” Johnson said. “I’m going to be busy the rest of my life. That’s my conviction.”
Some good news for a change from my newspaper reporter daughter.
You can learn much more about the Show of Support organization, watch a video, and meet the 2006 heroes here.
Nice gesture but don’t you think they have seen enough death and destruction and would like a time to put their feet up, have a brew and maybe go to a ball game or contemplate a fishing hole or trout stream?
I think it’s a great idea. There is a big difference between deer hunting and war. It is relaxing, fun and puts dinner in the freezer. I know alot of vets who were happy to come home, put on their Mossy Oak camo and sit in the deer stand for a quiet day of hunting.
Hope this gets lots of coverage!!!!!!
if I may, it's like saying a guitar played by Segovia or Chet Atkins is the same as that played by Eddie Van Halen or Slash (Guns & Roses)
The guitar can be used in numerous ways but it's use is dictated by the user and the function it's serving at the time.
So hunting is “DEATH AND DESTRUCTION”? Guess you’ll be having carrots and kale today.
“So hunting is “DEATH AND DESTRUCTION”?”
Yes. it is exactly that for the deer!
Hunting shouldn’t ever be considered entertainment. If you want entertainment, go target shooting. If you want to put food on the table or control varmints, then go hunting.
Vegetables are animals that can’t run away. That said, shooting Bambi isn’t on my To Do list, either.
Now this is a Patriotic American Story!!!
ping to self to show hubby. I don’t think he could actually shoot a rifle with his injury though. I’ll have to ask.
Ping.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
Speaking as a disabled vet, I think it's a wonderful idea,and it would not surprise me if he has more soldiers apply than he has room for.
As was said, you do not understand the soldier. I was one of the soldiers that was invited last year. I will say that for the first time in forever I was sitting in the woods with a rifle, but did not have to worry about being shot at. The people in Midland were wonderful and the gesture behind this was great. We were treated better than we should have. To tell you a story, the soldiers that were there were injured in different ways, some lost legs, some lost eyes, but to them, the other persons injury was worse than what they had. Nobody felt sorry for themself.
As far as the “Killing Bambi” well that is your option. The great thing about this is that you apply, or you are asked. It is not a required thing. It bothers me that someone reads this story and the only thing they get out of it is “Oh man they are killing deer”. Never did you say “wow, these guys deserve to be happy and to get something like this. You do not have to support the war, but by all means, you are AMERICAN so support the soldiers. I went and did my duty, yes, I said I would do it, I was not drafted :-) The last think I want to do is come back to hear people fussing about what we are doing. I am very open to others opinions, but there comes a time when I say SHUT UP. Until you go there, see what we are fighting for your opinion is as important as what my dog leaves on the grass every morning.
Terry, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR ME AND FOR THE COUNTLESS OTHERS THAT WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE FUTURE.
If you’d like to be on or off this Upper Midwest (WI, IA, MN, MI, and anyone else) list, largely rural issues, please FR mail me. And ping me is you see articles of interest.
Oh, this is so cool!!
That’s something I want to send contributions to once I’m back on my own feet.
Thanks for the ping, SJackson!
You know it!
It's a choice. There are some other groups involved in this, perhaps some links later, but my understanding is that there's a shortage of places to hunt (or fish), not vets wishing to participate.
you’re sorta soft for a sociopathic goombah Patron!
;>)
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Do you suppose some of these soldiers dying for you and I, might enjoy a hunt?
Geesh..........
Many thanks to you, for your service.
You ever want a guided spring turkey hunt in NE Oklahoma...you let me know!
Go pound frickin' sand...!!!
God bless you and thank you!
It’s wonderful to hear from someone who had the pleasure of participating in this. :o)
Very nice. I forwarded the link to all of my hunting buddies. :)
Thanks for the ping SJackson.
Don Corleone, you might want to contemplate, next time you chow down on a piece of chicken or steak, what a uncalled for statement that was. I’m sure you didn’t mean it the way it came across, but so many people don’t realize that hunting is as much about the time in the woods with nature as it is about killing an animal, much like fishing is about the same, rather than actually netting the fish.
Many of the same people who don’t want people to hunt are also opposed to you “hurting” a fish. Unfortunately, these people are so removed from nature they can’t possibly understand what a wonderful gesture this is, to offer these soldiers this opportunity.
I enjoy a trout stream too, but some people prefer to spend time in the woods hunting their own food. Others prefer to let someone else kill an animal for them to eat, and believe meat is this packaged blob full of hormones and other impurities found in grocery stores.
I am involved with providing hunting and fishing trips for soldiers, and can tell you from experience that being among God’s creation, in the woods, is the best R&R any soldier could experience. There is no hate among God’s creatures, only reality, and that includes the part of one animal on the food chain being nurtured from the flesh of another.
Thanks for posting this. I volunteer with the Wounded Warrior Project and can tell you it offers services for our heros from the time they arrive in hospitals here severely wounded, and long after they go home.
I was involved in the launch of the Outdoor Project. I have seen the smile on the faces of these young men and women when they are offered the chance to camp, fish, and hunt.
Glad to see the media coverage. Recently we had a wonderful family from Montana offer elk hunting on 30,000 acres there, an entire community in Alaska offer great fishing trips, and wonderful people at Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee offer the chance of a lifetime to hunt in a premier duck hunting destination.
Many Americans wonder what they can do to say thanks to these brave men and women. Take a good look at the WWP, which serves not only those injured, but also their families, as they also have given much for all of us.
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Images of one severely injured soldier helping another, like the one depicted to the left, are inspirational. They remind us that even severely injured, these brave men and women have the courage, strength and determination to help themselves and each other through this trying time in their lives.
Our work begins at the bedside of the severely wounded, where we provide comfort items and necessities, counseling, and support for families. We help to speed rehabilitation and recovery through adaptive sports and recreation programs, raising patients' morale, and exposing them to the endless possibilities of life after an injury. Finally, we provide a support mechanism for those who have returned home by providing outreach and advocacy on issues like debt and disability payments that will affect their families' future.
Although these brave soldiers will face great challenges during their recovery, with the assistance of the Wounded Warrior Project and the help of the grateful American public, they will find the opportunities that will enable them to provide for themselves and their families. With our assistance, their unyielding spirit will overcome any obstacle.
WWP sends a big thanks to Bob Kingsley, host of Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40 radio program. Bob and his wife Nan have been working to spread the word about WWP and the needs of injured service members. Bob is using his radio program to take WWP on air, producing a public service announcement that he plays on his show and linking to WWP on his website 
We would also like to call your attention to an emotional and timely new song by Country superstar Collin Raye (15 #1 hits; 24 top tens and 5 platinum albums). The song is called "A Soldier's Prayer". Collin is graciously donating all the net proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project and giving us not only the money but considerable publicity. 
"The Wounded Warrior Project is deeply thankful for Johnny Damon's commitment to our organization," stated Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director and Founder, John Melia.