CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen program will host wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center during a weekend of turkey hunting and fellowship at the Letterkenny Army Depot May 9 to May 10.
The Army Wounded Warriors/Letterkenny Army Depot Commander’s Hunt, hosted by the NWTF’s Michaux-Yellow Breeches and Shippensburg Strutters chapters, will send wounded Army veterans and their guides afield in pursuit of America’s grandest gamebird.
Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock, an avid turkey hunter and NWTF member who helped recognize America’s veterans and military heroes at the NWTF’s National Convention and Sport Show in February, will participate in the hunt.
“I am delighted that the Wheelin’ Sportsmen program is making this opportunity available to wounded veterans,” Pollock said. “This is a chance to encourage the hunters to pursue and enjoy an outdoor activity despite receiving injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan, and I am excited to participate and to see the results.”
Col. Thomas Torrance, deputy commandant of the US Army War College, and retired Col. Steven Raho, of the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary General, also will attend the event.
Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF provides all people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors through local chapter events nationwide, and frequently provides outdoor opportunities to the men and women who fight for America’s freedoms.
“The hunters involved in this event are sure to have a great time,” said Randy Rakers, president of the NWTF’s Michaux-Yellow Breeches chapter. “They will have the opportunity to hunt in the mornings alongside knowledgeable guides and high-ranking military personnel, eat great food and fish or skeet shoot in the afternoons. Best of all, they will get to reclaim part of the outdoor lifestyle they enjoyed before they were wounded.”
Assistant National Coordinator for Wheelin’ Sportsmen program, Illana Burkhart said, “Anytime you get folks together for a Wheelin’ Sportsmen event you can expect to have a lot of enthusiasm and a great time. Seeing these veterans with smiles on their faces, getting to enjoy activities they otherwise may not have the chance to enjoy is what the Wheelin’ Sportsmen program is all about.”
Whether it is shooting, hunting, fishing or archery, there is no limit to the outdoor opportunities Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF can bring to a person with disabilities eager to get outside and participate in a more active lifestyle. The program also provides a full-color, quarterly magazine to its members. Wheelin’ Sportsmen magazine is dedicated to the education and entertainment of outdoors enthusiasts with disabilities.
