Bucks for the Brave. What is it you ask? Let me start by telling you the WHY.
Like many of you, especially during the curse of 2020, I get up in the morning and make the “long commute” to my office inside our house. Getting there, or coming home safe, is really the last thing I have to think about. Well, other than maybe tripping over my dogs. Not everyone has this same luxury. In fact some people go to work every day, thinking it may be their last.
The men and women that choose to join our military service, or become first responders, do so for the love of their country, their communities and their desire to serve and protect. They have the hearts of patriots, and bravery to face any evil that comes in their path. They willingly take an oath to defend our constitution and citizens, knowing it could mean sacrificing their own lives, for the sake of another.
I’m not sure about you, but my job responsibilities don’t come even close to putting my life in jeopardy. Outside of an accident, I don’t have to worry on a daily basis if I’m going to make it home to my family.
What these men and women have seen and had to do in their careers is beyond comprehension for most. When they leave these jobs or retire, the walls they’ve built in order to cope, start to come down. Often times, this is the first time they are dealing with these emotions. They have seen the worst of the worst, and unfortunately, that will remain with them the rest of their lives. These are the true heroes that deserve recognition for their service and sacrifices, and that is why we do what we do.
This will be the 6th year to host Record Rack’s Bucks for the Brave event. This platform allows friends and family of those that have served, to nominate their heroes for a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime hunting experience. Why don’t I just call it a hunt? Because it is so incredibly much more.
When the Bucks for the Brave winners are first contacted, there is so much excitement, yet disbelief they would have been chosen. These heroes are some of the most humble human beings I have ever known. They all feel undeserving; that there is someone else out there more worthy. Every hero nominated actually deserves to win for their service, which is what makes choosing so difficult. I truly wish we could bring them all to Trinity Oaks Thumbtack Ranch. Because once you cross the Leona River and go through the gates, lives are changed forever.
Yes, these heroes get to see and hunt some of the finest whitetail deer and exotic animals that some will never see in their lifetime. But it goes deeper than that. The impact of knowing that the animals they are harvesting will be providing thousands of meals for people in need, gives them a sense of being able to already pay it forward for the amazing experience they are having. It’s more than just hunting. The winners get to shoot clays, archery, fish and enjoy activities in the incredible lodge. The volunteer staff is amazing, the food is unbelievable, the live fireside concerts are incredible and you never know when special celebrity guests will pop in to the meet them. This is definitely an event that they will never forget. But it still gets more rewarding that that.
Spending time in the outdoors, amongst other men and women that have served, helps provide a safe space for them to relax and let their guard down. This hunting experience fills a gap they’ve been missing in their life – the camaraderie they once had on a daily basis while serving. They are able to talk and recount stories amongst each other, that they don’t typically share with others who could never relate or understand. The group arrives in San Antonio as hesitant strangers, yet five short days later, they go home as lifetime friends, with a new found sense of peace.
I know the people that love the outdoors and hunting are also highly patriotic people, and includes a large population of military and first responders. With 20.4 million people in this country that have served, it’s likely you know someone that is deserving of this once in a lifetime experience.
If you have a friend, family member or someone in your community that you would like to recognize and honor, I strongly encourage you to nominate them. It’s easy and takes only a few minutes to do, but could impact and change their life forever.
www.sportsmanschoicefeeds.com/bucks-for-the-brave
Thank you to Record Rack for sponsoring this post.
