Non-Profits Helping Veterans

This month I want to talk about an important customer base of the gun industry, and that is the veteran community. Our proud military population are some of the most experienced with guns and will be one of the largest communities to utilize your services. Let’s talk about how we can give back to them. Many of those who have chosen to serve follow in the footsteps of those who served in their families. So, when you see a veteran and you thank them for their service, you could be thanking that veteran’s family as well as the service of that family’s generations.

My wife and our families are one of those families who have served. We have service members all the way back to the Revolutionary War. We are proud to carry the tradition forward as I have served, as well as both of my sons.  

There are a bunch of veteran groups that are scattered all over the states as well as some well-known national agencies and their sole purpose is to give back. Giving back to vets doesn’t mean just sending money; it means getting involved. Many local organizations help homeless veterans with food, clothes, or a warm bed. There are local pantries for others who can’t afford food. Shaking the hand of a veteran or a hug are only one way to show veterans that you appreciate their many sacrifices. This month, we honor all who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

National Organizations

Gallant Few – I wrote about this group previously, but they bear repeating. They help veterans transition from military life to civilian life. Most non-military people don’t realize how much of a shock it is to transition to civilian life. The Gallant Few does an excellent job of helping with the transition. It’s the most vulnerable timeframe for the mental health of military transformation to a citizen. The culture, identity, and a daily routine are gutted when a military service member shuts the door on active service. It is an echo that lingers in the ears of the veteran for years to come. But Gallant Few is there to help. 

Hero Hunt Inc. – The mission of Hero Hunt, Inc., is to bring our injured heroes, military, police, firefighters and other first responders back into the fold of camaraderie they left when leaving the service to our nation due to those injuries. It instills a sense of community often lost after service. 

Wounded Warrior Project – Perhaps the most known organization dedicated to veterans that have suffered physical and mental issues. You can give monetarily or get involved at local events in your area. They desperately need your support. 

Freedom Hunters – Military outreach program dedicated to honoring those who protect our freedoms. Freedom Hunters reflects the outdoor community’s appreciation of our troops by taking select active duty and combat veterans, families of fallen heroes, children of the deployed, as well as those wounded or injured, on outdoor adventures.  

Finding events in your area from the larger organizations may be a challenge. The larger organizations usually hold events in larger cities or close to military installations. Many veterans choose to live close to military bases due to the benefits they can use. Others stay close because of the atmosphere and camaraderie.  

Local Organizations

Mike on a successful hunt.

Finding local organizations that help veterans shouldn’t be too difficult. A simple Google search should find many places and ways you can get involved. You can also reach out to local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the American Legion. Here are a few local ones that I know of. 

New Freedom Farm – This organization is close to where I live. They use horses as a way to provide therapy to veterans dealing with PTSD issues or substance abuse issues. 

Providence Veterans – Providence offers multiple programs to assist vets. Leaving the military can be a challenge for the spouse and families of the service member as well. Providence offers classes for married couples to help in support them during the many changes from service to civilian life.  

Other local organizations offer guided hunting and fishing opportunities for veterans. It doesn’t matter if the veteran has physical limitations due to their military service. These groups specialize in helping veterans with disabilities. I have a customer that goes on multiple hunts every year. He is blind and hunted in Arkansas, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Virginia last year. He is planning a trip to Alaska in a couple years. All these trips were made possible because of veteran outreach groups like these: 

LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve – Provides a friendly accessible camp environment and therapeutic outdoor activities like hunting and fishing for all veterans. LEEK believes in encouraging our wounded heroes to focus on their abilities without compromising their current physical limitations for our wounded veterans. 

Peterson Outdoors Ministries – This organization in Missouri caters to veterans with disabilities and also first responders. They offer hunting as well as fishing.  

As you can see there are many organizations that give back. If you do some more research on these organizations as well as others you will find that most if not all were started by veterans or families of fallen soldiers.  

Next time you see a vet, take the time to thank them. Thank them in such a way that they truly feel your appreciation for their sacrifice. They carried the weight of our freedom on their shoulders. Some made the ultimate sacrifice, so our country remains free.  

Semper Fi! 

Written by: David Johnson, Leatherneck Gunsmithing