Posts Tagged ‘Wounded Warriors Project’

Wounded Warrior’s 9k-Mile Journey Continues, Hunting Axis Deer in Texas

Escondido Ranch was recently the ‘Texas stop’ for Eric Edmundson, a wounded Army Sargeant & Purple Heart recipient, on his quest to fulfill a lifelong dream of hunting big game across the United States.  His 9,000 mile journey is supported by the Wounded Warrior Project and will include hunts for gator, pronghorn and exotics.  At Escondido Ranch, Eric was able to harvest a beautiful Axis buck (pictured here), thanks to perfect heart/lung shot, with the aide of his custom made Razor, equipped with a joy stick.  He also managed to help the ranch out with a little wild hog eradication!  Read more about Eric’s incredible journey in the press release below:

Wounded Iraqi Veteran to Fulfill Dream of “Grand Slam” Despite Severe Injuries

Jacksonville, FL (July 28, 2011) – Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) announces today their support of wounded Iraqi veteran Eric Edmundson’s journey to complete his life-long dream of a “Grand Slam.”  Eric Edmundson is a retired Army Sergeant and Purple Heart recipient who suffered a traumatic and anoxic brain injury. Eric requires full-time assistance from his wife and other family members. Through the love, support and commitment of his entire family to rehabilitate Eric, he has steadily made tremendous progress.  Eric can now feed himself, stand and walk with assistance and even communicate through the use of specialized electronic devices.  Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steve Nardizzi stated, “We know the public will be as inspired by Eric as we are and come away with the knowledge that despite the physical and neurological challenges many wounded warriors face, their passion for what they love remains strong.  More than anything, Eric’s story is one of perseverance.  He is a symbol of the strength and resiliency of the human spirit.”  (more…)

One Wounded Warrior’s Hunt Of a Lifetime

This story was submitted to us by Jimmy of Darkwoods Blind, who do their part to offer and sponsor hunts for some of our wounded war veterens.  This is Ronnie Guillion’s story, recanting his hunt on the Smart Ranch in Texas.

One Wounded Warrior’s Hunt Of a Lifetime
by SFC Ronnie Gullion

I met Jimmy “the Mullet” and his business partner Mikey during a Wounded Warrior hunt at Smart Ranch Exotics in Texas.  They asked me to choose one of the well-deserving heroes hunting with me for a bonus Asiatic water buffalo hunt.

You see, Mullet man and Mikey are representatives of Darkwoods Blinds and were at the Smart Ranch to shoot some promotional videos for their exceptional handicapped-accessible ground blinds.  I did not want the pressure of choosing just one soldier to take part in this remarkable opportunity. I simply did not want to be the one to decide who’d get to experience the hunt of their lifetime and who would be disappointed.

I suggested that we leave it to luck or fate. I told all of the more-than-willing hunters to put their military identification cards into a hat and let Jimmy pull out the lucky one.  Although I’m a Wounded Warrior as well, I was somewhat reluctant to place my ID into the hat because my hunting companions were also my heroes, and I wanted one of them to win the hunt.  With some poking, prodding and an order from my former Command Sergeant Major David Allard, I placed my ID into the hat as well.  Out of all of the IDs in the hat, of course, mine was drawn. Although I desperately wanted to participate in the hunt, I really wanted one of my guys to have the experience. I thought about giving the hunt to someone else, but that would have put me back into my original position of having to choose one person. (more…)