Hunting with Heroes chapter celebrates 10 years

by Nelda Currah

Hunting with Heroes Wyoming

"Chief Helper"

The Thermopolis Chapter of Hunting with Heroes Wyoming (HwH WY) welcomed twelve veterans this fall marking ten years that this generous community has been giving back to our nation's disabled veterans. Veterans hailed from Washington to New Jersey, from New Hampshire to Florida, and of course, from Wyoming, to hunt pronghorn at the Thermopolis Annual Antelope Hunt on September 28.

The veterans who joined them this year were David Boehringer, US Army veteran from Lehigh Acres, FL, and his brother, Donald Boehringer, US Air Force veteran from Hudson, FL; Terry Hannigan, US Marine Corps veteran from Franklin, NH; John Hart, US Army veteran from Pinedale, WY; Robert Hartman, US Army veteran from Frederick, MD; Brian Higgins, US Air Force veteran from Casper, WY; Jerry Hughes, US Army veteran from Casper, WY; Thomas Slaughter, US Army veteran from Lawton, OK, and his son, (another) Thomas Slaughter, US Coast Guard veteran from Maywood, NJ; Brian Terry, US Army veteran from Clarksville, TN; Joseph Vanicek, US Marine Corps veteran from Yakima, WA; and Andy Walters, US Army veteran from Kodak, TN.

Jim and Cindy Collins lead the Thermopolis Chapter and they work hard at it. Each year they are joined by expert guides, generous tag donors, kind landowners, and scores of additional volunteers who work together to honor our heroes with a very large dose of genuine Wyoming small-town hospitality. VFW Post 2281 was home base throughout the hunt weekend and the Hot Springs Hotel & Spa provided housing.

Veterans reported to the VFW on Friday afternoon, met their guides, and spent some time at the range preparing for their hunt. Friday evening dinner for veterans, guides, and the HwH WY team was served at the VFW and prepared by Cindy Collins and other generous community members. Many thanks to the young volunteers from Hot Springs County 4-H club who served dinner and helped out during the evening.

Saturday was hunting day! We're happy to report all veterans filled tags with impressive bucks. Saturday evening the VFW Post 2281 hosted a banquet dinner open to the public. We heard from Dan Currah, US Army, Vietnam Veteran, and Co-founder of HwH WY, who spoke about what it means to him personally to have support from fellow veterans and the community; Jim Collins shared that the hunt weekend was first and foremost to honor our veterans service to our country, and that the Thermopolis community was honored to host them. Many of the veterans spoke expressing gratitude for the opportunity to hunt big game in Wyoming. They thanked HwH WY and the Chapter team, the Thermopolis community, the guides, tag donors, and landowners.

Larry Baker, US Army and Vietnam Veteran from Cody delivered a message about "brothers," sharing true stories about brothers who served together in conflicts dating back to WWII, brothers who have lost brothers while serving together, and families who have lost all of their boys. Larry shared a story about the Baker boys. Larry was seriously injured while he was in Vietnam. His brother was in Vietnam at the same time. The Army allowed the two Baker brothers a one-hour visit while Larry was in a hospital in Vietnam fighting for his life. He shared how precious that time was and urged veterans to use the time they had together in Thermopolis to establish friendships that they can lean into in the future – because veterans care about veterans and HwH WY isn't just about the antelope hunt – it's about healing, expanding your support circle, and growing together.

Jim Zumbo, one of the world's most influential sportsmen, bestselling author, outdoor enthusiast, and passionate supporter of veterans joined HwH WY in Thermopolis. The veterans were surprised when they realized the "real Jim Zumbo" was joining them. Jim showed his honest to God support, and for brought books to share with the guests. He was generous with his time, signing each book with a personal note. For some, meeting Jim and receiving an autographed book from him ranked right up there with a big game hunt in Wyoming.

After some trap shooting on Sunday morning, the hunt weekend winds down with a delicious dinner at Jim and Cindy Collins' home. Once again, this generous community comes together in support of men and women who wore the uniform. There is always enough food to feed an army, plenty of time to relax and visit and yes, there is a little boasting about some big bucks! The Largest Antelope Prize (a shoulder mount) went to Donald Boehringer from Hudson, FL, with a score of 76 5/8. Congrats to Donald.

Hunting with Heroes Wyoming has been hosting hunts for disabled veterans since 2013 when US Army Veterans and Wyoming natives, Dan Currah and Colton Sasser founded the organization. During the past twelve years, they have hosted 3,000 hunts for disabled men and women from all fifty states, young veterans in their twenties to "younger" veterans in their 90s. They support veterans from all conflicts – WWII through Afghanistan. Veterans must hold a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating certified by the Veterans Administration to qualify to hunt. In their twelve years, HwH WY has never turned a veteran away because of a disability.

Hunting with Heroes Wyoming expressed their deepest gratitude to the entire community of Thermopolis for their continued support and a perfect ten years. Most veterans are on life-long healing journeys and in constant search of resources and assistance. These hunts and time in community provide a much-needed lifeline, and in some cases, they have absolutely saved lives. "God bless our generous Americans and God bless America's Veterans."

For more information about Hunting with Heroes Wyoming, visit http://huntingwithheroes.org/, find them on social media at Hunting with Heroes Wyoming or contact nelda@huntingwithheroes.org