February 24, 2010

Joel Jimenez hadn’t fired a gun since he left Vietnam, where he served in 1969 and 1970. He had been wounded eight miles from Khe Sahn, and while he has recovered enough physically to be able to return to outdoor sports, enduring psychological trauma kept him out of the wilderness.

But that all changed when the Army veteran and Commander of Chapter 41, Wichita Falls, Texas, met Sidney “Gibby” Gibson at an outdoor sporting event sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).

A dozen disabled veterans from the current conflicts were signed up to hunt in the NWTF Wheelin’ Sportsmen event and with room for one more, Gibson encouraged Jimenez to give it a try.

For Jimenez, it was a breakthrough.

“It was so inspiring to see the way the younger veterans were treated and to find a group of people who were so sincerely interested in their welfare,” said Commander Jimenez. “I never planned on hunting; we were there to help. But Gibby kept encouraging me. He was a retired veteran himself. He took me out there and set me up for success.”

The hunt was indeed successful for Commander Jimenez, and he donated the deer he harvested to a double amputee who had not fared so well that opening day.

“We had the chance to talk to the younger guys. When you spend time together and show your willingness to help, they open up to you,” Commander Jimenez recalled. “There was a young man there who talked to us about his time in Afghanistan. He said it was the first time he spoke about his experiences. We could see them coming out of that combat zone. We can see ourselves in these younger veterans. We can help them avoid some of the mistakes we might have made and ensure they enjoy a brighter future.”

Jimenez said he hopes more Chapters in Texas and throughout the country will reach out to groups like the NWTF and become involved in events for disabled veterans. Next year, he hopes to work with the NWTF’s Gibson to at least double the number of participants and triple the number of volunteers.

The DAV’s partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen, now heading into its fifth year, continues to open up the outdoors to disabled veterans. Through a grant with the DAV Charitable Service Trust, Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives are gaining access for veterans to military installations and helping organize outdoors events around the country.

Baltimore National Service Office Supervisor Ron Minter helped out at the first-annual Wounded Warrior Spring Bass Challenge in Maryland co-sponsored by the DAV and Wheelin’ Sportsmen.

“We had 40 boats and over 40 active duty soldiers and veterans out there catching bass. Many of these folks were ri“The friendship I made with the guide they paired me up with continues,” said retired Marine First Sgt. Jamie Andries, who was wounded in 2003 by shrapnel in the initial invasion of Iraq. “We still keep in contact and are fishing buddies. We check up on each other, and when it warms up we’ll be going out again.”

The more the DAV and Wheelin’ Sportsmen can do to pair Vietnam veterans such as Jimenez and others with younger Marines and soldiers, the more lasting the impact events can have on everyone involved.

DAV Past National Commander James E. Sursely, a long-time NWTF member, was instrumental in partnering the DAV with the NWTF and Wheelin’ Sportsmen. He attends hunts from as far south as Florida and all the way up into Minnesota, where the Camp Ripley hunt has become one of the top events nationwide.

Sursely said he’s meeting younger veterans throughout the country whose first experience with the DAV and the NWTF through these events is far more engaging than monthly meetings.

“We’ve seen how successful the DAV and NWTF can be when we work together. Around the country, countless chapters on both sides are looking for meaningful experiences that will energize their members,” said Sursely. “The people who take the initiative, facilitate and support outdoors events get as much or more out of giving their time as the participants.”

“We join the DAV or get involved in the NWTF because we want to make a difference. This is our chance to change the lives of veterans who’ve given so much to protect the nature we enjoy,” he added.

“The DAV’s mission is to build better lives for disabled veterans and their families. When we’re able to open new opportunities and shatter perceived limitations that disabilities introduce to our lives, we can make a single event last a lifetime,” said National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. “That concept is at the very heart of our relationship with the NWTF Wheelin’ Sportsmen.”

“The NWTF values what our veterans have done for our country,” said George C. Thornton, NWTF CEO. “Our volunteers are dedicated to providing opportunities for our veterans to participate in outdoor activities and enjoy their hunting heritage.”