Turkeys can be Love Birds Too

Today I share a love story.  It is unlike any love story that you have read in a book or seen on film.  It is better.  It includes devotion, a promise and sacrifice.  It is both happy and sad.

Samantha met Mark when she was still in high school while working part time at her local Dairy Queen.  They immediately began dating and five years later, on April 16, 2009, the couple married.

Being young, the couple did not have a lot of money.  And since Mark was a Marine, they did not have a lot of time either.  So they agreed that they would save for the perfect Honeymoon—a guided hunting trip.

Although Samantha and Mark did not grow up hunting, they both enjoyed the sport. For the young couple, it was the perfect way to relax together and enjoy nature. They loved being surrounded by the woods, taking in fresh air, the company of only each other.  They also enjoyed a fun competition. Hunting was their favorite activity.

On June 16, 2011, Mark died from injuries that he sustained 13 days prior from an IED in Afghanistan.  It was his fifth overseas deployment.

Samantha made a promise.  She would still go on that trip to honor Mark.  She would hunt in his memory.  She was determined to go on that Honeymoon.

Last week, just a few days before her third Wedding Anniversary, Samantha joined other military spouses and Hope For The Warriors® for a turkey hunting trip in Florida.  Although we have hosted countless service members on hunting trips through our outdoor adventures program, this was the first trip that focused on our spouses.  All of the women loved it.

The time hunting is only one part of the trip.  Each woman on the trip was the spouse of a fallen or wounded service member.  Each have served this country through multiple moves and multiple deployments. They continue to serve by caring for their wounded hero, enduring the emotional ups and downs that come with any medical recovery.  This trip was one way that Hope For The Warriors® nurtures our caregivers.

For Samantha, the trip helped her fulfill her promise. 

“I promised myself that no matter how long it took, I would go on my Honeymoon.  I am so thankful to Hope For The Warriors® for making this amazing trip possible.  It has given me a sense of accomplishment and a sense of closure.”

It is important to share one last detail.  Each woman on the trip was successful and brought home a turkey.  Samantha did better.

“I am the only one that got two turkeys—one for me and one for Mark.”

Happy Anniversary Samantha.  Mark would have been so proud.

Friday's Photo

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Veteran Stephen Valyou skis with a group of veterans with
STRIDE Adaptive Sports

Giving the Gift of Camaraderie

ca·ma·ra·der·ie n. Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship.

The strength of our military depends on many factors--training, physical strength, discipline and camaraderie.  And each of these factors also help the individual service member.


It is not surprising that when a service member is physically wounded, it also impacts them emotionally.  They are medically retired from the military and have lost not only the career they loved but also miss the discipline, routine and close friendships that they have built and thrive on.


Many of the programs supported by Hope For The Warriors® focus on building camaraderie within the wounded community for these service members.  Our Outdoor Adventures Program and the hunting trips that we help to facilitate are a perfect example. Not only are service members invited to return to the outdoor sport they love, they have the opportunity to reconnect with veterans and service members.


As one participant shared:

"We got to hunt a lot and we had a lot of fun doing it...thanks for helping me meet more wounded veterans."

A thank you goes to the hosts of our hunting trips--landowners throughout the country who invite and host our wounded for these weekend trips.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact outdooradventures@hopeforthewarriors.org.

Veterans/No Boundaries Video

Two weeks ago, we posted a story about service members and their families attending a weekend of winter sports.  The families were hosted by Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation and they enjoyed a weekend of skiing, snowshoeing and more.  Hope For The Warriors® appoached the group because we had several service members interested in winter sports as part of their recovery and as an activity they could enjoy with their entire family.

We work with many programs throughout the country that provide our wounded service members and their families with opportunities to enjoy outdoor sports, regardless of their injuries.  Below, the group has put together a great video, explaining the benefits of these sports.

We are proud to work with this amazing group.

Winter Wonderland Adventure - Outdoor Adventures

While many were watching the Super Bowl this past weekend, several of our families were involved in their own sports.  The organization, Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation, hosts a four-day winter sports retreat at Sunday River Ski Resort each winter during Super Bowl weekend. Wounded veterans and active duty service members are invited to attend with their families at no cost.

The group's Veterans/No Boundaries Program provides instruction in both winter and summer sports to any veteran with a physical disability. 

The program provides the veterans with an amazing opportunity to build both confidence and physical strength.  The weekend also gives families a place to bond together--and with other military families.

The winter weekend included skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and more.  And the results were quickly apparent.  One surprised veteran shared:

“...this skiing is incredibly therapeutic.  You really need to tell people how much it helps.  I should be wiped out right now, but I’m buzzing like I downed a whole pot of coffee.”

Another shared:

"What a wonderful place! I was able to go downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and even went on an amazing snow mobile ride.  I am still amazed at how nice everyone was.  I met a lot of really cool vets and I can't wait to go back.  They invited me back for their summer program and for skiing next year.  I got a lot of vestibular therapy out of the skiing and hadn't expected to do as well as I did.  Very worthwhile!  I can't thank you enough for sending me!"

Hope For The Warriors®, through our Outdoor Adventures Program,approached the group.  We had several service members interested in pursuing the sport in a safe and therapeutic environment.    The group happily invited these families and have since asked each to return.  Hope For The Warriors® covered the cost of transportation; everything else was provided by Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation.

It should also be shared that Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation depends on the dedication of many volunteers.  These dedicated individuals give hours of their time to make a difference in the lives of our military families.  We look forward to working with this great group in the future!

Outdoor Adventures--Life Classic Hunt

In mid-January, two service members joined a group of avid hunters for the 19^th Annual Buckmasters Life Classic Hunt.   The hunt took place at Sedgefields Plantations and the founder and President of Buckmasters, Jackie Bushman hosted two American heroes for this annual hunting trip.

Buckmasters is a National Deer Hunting Association that encourages hunting ethics, sportsmanship and hunter safety.  Hope For The Warriors® has partnered with the organization to provide hunting opportunities to our wounded service members as part of our Outdoor Adventures Program.  This program provides adaptive opportunities for wounded heroes to participate in sporting activities in the great outdoors. Service members, who previously embraced an outdoorsman lifestyle, as well as those new to wilderness sports, are introduced to recreational opportunities on the road to recovery.

The Life Classic Hunt is for people with many different disabilities and includes avid athletes, children and more.  Here is what one of our heroes shared about his experience:

“I am in the process of being medically retired and was feeling somewhat worthless; the whole process is not fun. This hunt made me realize that I do have worth, that people do care, and there are people who are less fortunate than I am.”

Many of our service members grew up hunting.  For them, this outdoor sport is key to their emotional rehabilitation.  Hope For The Warriors® is proud to be a part of that recovery.

Up next in Outdoor Adventures—a Pheasant Hunting Trip in Texas and two ski trips for wounded service members and their families!  Stay tuned for photos and more!