Hunting with Heroes soars in seventh year

     "Hunting with Heroes" organizers say this year's event was the most successful in the organization’s seven year history by almost any measure. Of note, this year’s event honored six visiting servicemen from the Wounded Warrior Battalion of the United States Marine Corps. These Marines arrived on Thursday, Nov. 9 and were able to enjoy goose and duck hunting on Friday that was followed with some fantastic pheasant hunting on Saturday and Sunday.

     Organizers of “Hunting with Heroes,” Bernard and Jason Becker, were overwhelmingly complimentary of this year’s group. “These Marines are among the most thankful and battle tested that we have ever seen. When we started this event seven years ago, we hoped to be able to honor and help guys exactly like we had visiting Iowa this year,” said the Beckers.

     Additionally, the Veterans Appreciation Banquet on Sunday, Nov. 12 filled Lakota’s Eagle Center to the rafters – nearly maxing out the capacity of the venue with over 550 attendees. Of those attendees, a staggering 206 local veterans were in attendance, in addition to 20 widows of veterans. Along with families of veterans, sponsor attendees, and 50-plus volunteers, the Eagle Center was packed with patriotic Americans. All veterans went home with a plethora of gifts, including gas cards and a jacket, compliments of local supporters. 

     This year’s visiting Marines hailed from Texas, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and Georgia, but they all share in their service of our country through the USMC. With five of the six being combat wounded and receiving at least one Purple Heart for their service, they have seen more than their fair share of the atrocities of war. These six Marines had been deployed a total of 35 times, encountered over 630 IEDs, and carry multiple bullet and shrapnel wounds that serve as daily reminders of their sacrifices and valor during their deployments.

The Buffalo Center Tribune

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