Again, I wanted to say thanks for inviting and letting me and my boys go fishing. I have never been the one that wanted to take advantage of the stuff people like you do for us injured guys and service members. In fact, I have probably turned down more hunts and fishing trips than I have ever been on. There are some, what we like to call, “Professional Wounded Warriors” out there that take advantage of the system, and I never wanted to be looked at like that. But your events have always been low key, family oriented; and the people that volunteer with you are very genuine and salt of the earth Americans.

When I went back to Afghanistan for the first time after my amputation, Carson was only about 11 months old. My wife did not like it at all, but I had lost my identity as a man, a caregiver, and was so deep in depression. My amputation saved my life with God’s guidance and providence. Carson was the first child that I was actually around for the first part of his life. When Grayson was born, I was doing all kinds of surgeries, had my leg amputated, and just was not in a good place. But with Carson it was different. I washed him in the sink all the time (when he was little... lol) and I always had him in the wheelchair with me. For once I actually bonded with one of my kids from birth till about a year old. He was always in my lap for the first year. Then I deployed for the first time in January 2010 after the amputation to Afghanistan. I came back April 2010 for emergency leave, Paula’s mom had a heart attack, and had a revision on my stump the next month. Paula told me after I left in January, Carson basically cried for two months. She said he was going through separation anxiety. It nearly broke my heart because I left again in two months for another eight months.

For once I had actually bonded with one of my kids. To this day, Carson and I have that special bond and I feel he gravitates to me more. I can never get back the times I missed, but with events like you put on, I can make new memories and special times. Carson is still talking about fishing. The boy loves to fish...lol! I could never do the things with my children that I do through Combat Warriors. With every fiber of my being, I say a heartfelt “THANK YOU” from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for all your donors, volunteers, and everyone that helps with your events. It takes a special heart to do the things you, your supporters, donors, and volunteers do on a yearly basis. It reminds me of the way Jesus Christ lived his life almost 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ served others and his life is the supreme example of how we should live ours. Combat Warriors and everyone that makes it up live this example that Jesus Christ set.

I wish I could personally thank everyone that is involved with Combat Warriors and give them a hug. Please pass along this note to all that make it possible for me and other service members to bond with our kids again and provide a time to fellowship with so many others. My gratitude and thanks to all. I know I might not meet all that are involved, but know that you have made a difference in me and my boy’s lives. Thank you and God bless you all and Combat Warriors. I pray that God blesses Combat Warriors and the work you do in service to others when you do not have to.

I didn’t know it, but I really needed to hang out with combat veterans, wake up in the dark, patrol through a muddy field, set up a shooting position, and wait quietly, talking or not, waiting to shoot ducks. It is hard to get comfortable with civilians, but it was very relaxing to hunt ducks with guys who understand what I went through in combat.

I was very happy to be involved in the Chockley Deer Hunt. It was a great event put on by great people. I only wish I would have been able to get a deer. This hunt set me up for a lifelong hobby. Thanks again for everything you do.

From the first time I was introduced to Combat Warriors and every time thereafter I could tell what a quality organization this was. You got me back in the woods and water after my injuries that sidelined me and I will forever be grateful. I look forward to every event, not just for the event itself, but for the time spent with other service members and all the patriots of your organization. Every event means time spent with friends and making new ones, a chance to recover and heal like no doctor or hospital can give.

This year was my second time at the Hyde County Duck Hunt, and man it was even better than last year. It’s awesome to have an opportunity to fellowship and enjoy the brotherhood of fellow service members, all the while enjoying the great outdoors in the form of duck hunting! It’s enough to just have the opportunity to come to Hyde County to hunt, but when you throw in landowners that would practically give you their waders so that you can enjoy the hunt, it just made the experience that much better. Not to mention all the sponsors that gave us the ability to get our ducks mounted, have cases to put our guns in, practically outfit you for the hunt! Let’s not forget the food. I eat more there than I do all year from the volunteers that cook the breakfast and the pig to the restaurant up the street. Their food and services were above all the best. Thank you for making the Hyde County Duck Hunt a lasting memory.

I want to start off by sincerely thanking you so much for all the hard work and dedication you guys put in to each and every one of your events. In 2014 I was involved in the Twin Oaks Deer Hunt where I harvested the biggest buck I have killed to date. You think that would be the highlight of the hunt, but it was just a great piece of it. The hunt gave me and two of my combat brothers a chance to spend time together; the last time was 2009 while in Afghanistan. This hunt gave us three something more than we could have ever asked for, a chance to unwind bull and just be Marines again.

On top of all this, I also made new friends for life and got to enjoy the outdoors again. Twin Oaks went way above and beyond for this hunt from the food to the guides; it was truly an amazing experience that no amount of money could touch. Thank you once again for making a great life memory beyond the battle field with my brothers. I will be counting down the days till we all meet again.

Thank you for what you did to put on the Combat Warrior Duck Hunt. It was a great weekend for me and I really enjoyed being out in the blind with the guys, the peacefulness of the hunt, and the thought that you guys did this for us. It meant a lot. It also inspired me to go out and do some hunting for the remainder of the season. While I did not shoot many ducks, being out in the field helps me tremendously. 

Thanks for reaching out to me and to the other combat vets. People like you, and your supporters, keep us going.

I would like to thank the entire Combat Warriors organization for a wonderful weekend in Mebane. I had a great time with the hunt, but the highlight of the weekend for me was meeting the staff and volunteers. It’s refreshing to know that there are still such patriots out there. Please pass my sincere gratitude to the Chockley family for their hospitality. I don’t know that you’ll find a nicer family anywhere. Let me know if there is ever anything I can do for the Combat Warriors family.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Combat Warriors Inc. for the camaraderie, hospitality, and appreciation this organization has displayed to U.S. Service Members of the North Carolina area. From my first hunt, the members of this non-profit organization have humbled me beyond belief. My sons and I were welcomed by the group on two hunts that changed our lives. The generous people who support each event are the most down-to-earth, patriotic individuals. They are completely selfless and all they want in return is for each Service Member to have an enjoyable experience.

Through Combat Warriors, I was able to witness my twin sons harvest their first deer and ducks this year, a father’s dream. Participating in these events I also witnessed firsthand the healing power of Combat Warriors Inc. Each event is very unique and offers the perfect opportunity to meet fellow Service Members, share stories of being wounded, the recovery process, and establish a fellowship. Combat Warriors Inc. is an organization that successfully washes out the post-combat residue in you and gives you a venue to meet individuals just like yourself.

My sincere appreciation for all the assistance and camaraderie you have given me in 2014 and look forward to assisting and participating in future events.

This was my first year being introduced to Combat Warriors. A friend who I kept in touch with from Afghanistan, and that was also at Ft. Bragg, invited me to go on a deep sea fishing trip this summer. I had never been on one before, and I don’t think the experience will ever be topped. Everything the members of Combat Warriors put on for us was top of the line, including a warm greeting and a great seafood meal the night before the trip. Before we stepped off the next morning they were even able to accommodate bringing my brother, Navy SEAL out of VA Beach, on board last minute. We spent the whole day fishing and caught more Tuna and Mahi Mahi than I knew what to do with.

Getting to go deep sea fishing for the first time while sharing deployment stories with my friends and brother was an incredible experience. There really was a great sense of camaraderie throughout the trip. I met a lot of great guys and had such a good experience the first time that I brought my roommates back later in the summer for a second trip, where we fished for marlin. For me, I hadn’t had the opportunity to talk about a lot of down range experiences with my brother up to this point, so getting to do so on the trip was something I will never forget and will always be thankful for.

Both trips were incredible opportunities and experiences and we all look forward to the next round, or any event, that Combat Warriors puts on.