Story from Record Rack
Every morning when I get up to go to work, I get dressed and make the long jaunt to my office in 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 the 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 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.
For military personnel and/or first responders, when they leave active duty, mental health care workers have compared it to divorce. These heroes are not only leaving a job, they feel as if they’re separating from family. There is far too large of a number of suicides amongst this group, not only while they are active, but also after they’re done serving.
There is a large population in the US of military and first responders (approximately 20 million total) and of that number, approximately 25% are disabled and another 20% have PTSD (does not include those that have not been diagnosed). We’ve all heard the number 22, and what it stands for in the military and Veteran community. We are now seeing an increase in suicides amongst first responders as well.
Getting these heroes in the outdoors, can be a powerful, healing and life-changing experience. I could not think of a better way for the Sportsman’s Choice & Record Rack brands to get involved in the community and give back to those that have served and sacrificed for me, you, our country and the freedoms we know and love in this country.
This will be the 5th year that we have hosted 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 target shoot, fish and enjoy activities in the incredible lodge. The volunteer staff is amazing, the food is unbelievable, the fireside live concerts are amazing and having prestigious guests come in to meet them is something they’ll 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’m writing this as the founder of Record Rack’s Bucks for the Brave event, and obviously extremely passionate about it. It would be easy for some to think or say that I’m a little bias of how amazing this experience is. So here’s what a few of last year’s winners had to say:
Danny Phillips, USCG Veteran
“I just want to tell you again how much I greatly appreciate everything you all did. I will never forget anybody I met there. You give me hope that there are even more good people like you out there.
If there is anything I can ever do, please call me. Again, I can never tell y’all how that just brought me to my knees. I love all y’all and God bless you. I also paid it forward and gave money to Make a Wish.”
Greg Manning, USMC Vietnam Purple Heart Recipient & Retired Chief of Police 30yrs
“I’m about to board and if you couldn’t tell I had an absolute blast this weekend and words cannot describe the feelings I had. The moments shared by the fire will always bring tears to my eyes, and I am beyond honored that God let me be with y’all this weekend. It wasn’t about the hunts, even though we did an amazing job as a group laying them down for a great cause. I don’t have words to tell you exactly how grateful I am but y’all have touched my life. The entire “Bucks for the Brave Family” is amazing and and I am blessed to be a part of it. I love y’all and if I win the lottery we are all moving to Texas!”
Brad Trogdan, US Navy Veteran
“I thought this was going to be a hunting trip, but this is a healing trip. I know now that I want to help others and make a difference in lives as you all have this weekend.”
Patrick Russell, USMC & Purple Heart Recipient
We had a total of 7 winners last year – one Veteran from each branch of the military service, one retired Law Enforcement Officer and one Retired Firefighter. This year we are adding an eighth category – retired EMT’s. All heroes within these categories, that have selflessly served their country and communities, are deserving to win this opportunity.
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. All you have to do is submit a photo along with a short essay as to why this Hero should be chosen to win: www.sportsmanschoicefeeds.com/bucks-for-the-brave
Nominations must be entered by end of day September 13, 2020. 8 HEROES WILL WIN! Announcement will be made on October 9, 2020.
I’ll sign off with this quote, in loving memory of our friend Danny Foley, FDNY and 2019 Bucks for the Brave winner. Sadly, in February 2020, he lost his battle with Pancreatic Cancer due to World Trade Center Disease. He is missed by all, but he and these words he spoke while we were around the campfire last November, will never be forgotten.
“I thank God for today, and live every minute. I know tomorrow belongs to you God, but today is your gift to me, and I’m thankful for it. Wherever you need me today God, I’ll be. Whoever I need to be in touch with today, I’ll be in touch with. And whatever work you need me to do, I’m here for you.”
BUCKS FOR THE BRAVE ONLINE AUCTION SUPPORTING TRINITY OAKS
Our good partner, Trinity Oaks, will be having an online auction, August 8, 2020, to help support more events like Bucks for the Brave. There will be numerous hunts and fishing trips, guns, gear and a variety other incredible items. Proceeds help provide outdoor experiences for Veterans, Gold Star Families, Star Kids and those with a terminal illness. Trinity Oaks also donates the meat from animals harvested on their ranch, providing thousands of meals to those in need. Help show your support by bidding on items we know you will want: Bucks for the Brave Auction.
Thank you to Record Rack for sponsoring this post.
