Four Purple Heart veterans will soon enjoy a one-in-a-lifetime archery hunt for Whitetail Deer at the Double Creek Lodge in Hohenwald, TN. The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) came together with hosts Shelley Cohen and Dennis Reynolds to organize the 3rd Annual TN Archery Deer Hunt, which takes place from October 14-17.
On this all-expense-paid trip, Heroes Nick, Howard, Edward, and Randy will be out hunting deer for two full days with local guides. While the harvest can be exciting, the main event on this trip is the opportunity to connect with other Purple Heart recipients and be enveloped in the warmth of thankful and caring hosts.
This is the second hunt of the year for Cohen and Reynolds of Double Creek Lodge, who also host a Spring Turkey and Whitetail Rifle Hunt. For both hosts, their work with WWIA has become a true passion. Cohen says, “We are both so fortunate to have found the opportunity to give something back to our combat-wounded veterans. This is our way to thank them for their incredible courage and all the sacrifices they’ve made for our country.”
Wounded Warriors frequently return home different than when they left to serve our Nation—life in general and their personal and professional lives have changed dramatically. WWIA strives to show these Heroes that they can still experience and accomplish milestones in their lives, no matter their current circumstances.
WWIA couldn’t complete its mission without the legislators and concerned citizens working behind the scenes for the good of our combat-wounded Heroes. Senator Joey Hensley has been fighting to reduce the cost of out-of-state hunting licenses for Purple Heart recipients on the Tennessee events. State Representative David Byrd has also been supportive of these efforts. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, the TN Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus has donated $1,800 this year toward the travel costs of the heroes participating in Tennessee events.
This generous donation helps our combat-wounded veterans heal the invisible wounds of war and bolster self-confidence while strengthening the bond with nature, local communities and each other. WWIA events like the Tennessee Whitetail Hunt serve 3-5 Heroes and last at least 2-3 full days, allowing for optimal bonding, brotherhood and camaraderie.
One Hero at last year’s event said, “I truly enjoyed myself this weekend. I had more fun and excitement than I’ve had in eight years. This is the push I needed to get back into a sport I grew up loving.”
ABOUT WWIA
Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) is a national non-profit dedicated to serving our nation’s combat wounded Purple Heart recipients by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities as a means to recognize and honor their sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, and promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors. For more information, please visit www.wwiaf.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wwia or contact us at info@wwiaf.org.
Local Contact
Shelley Cohen
Shelley.Cohen@wwiaf.org
(931) 801-2530