Published March 28, 2019
Veterans helping veterans
New support group helps fellow veterans have a better life By James Page
O
Corsicana Daily Sun
nce a warrior always a warrior; that mindset never goes away. The afflictions of combat don’t always leave visible scars. The weight of the war stays within the warrior’s mind. It is a part of them; mind, body, and soul. Some times the images subside for long enough to feel normal again, and at the blink of an eye they are back. Brothers and sisters you are not alone, the burden is not yours alone to bear. To help fellow veterans have a better life, a new organization, All Vets Rifle and Reel Project, has dedicated itself to take these veterans on hunting and fishing trips, getting them out in the wilderness to relax and forget for a time those horrible events. While out in the wild, they know they have someone who speaks the same language — military talks military. Only another veteran can truly understand what they are feeling. Being out in the wild with fellow brothers-in-arms is therapeutic on its own. Plus, they will have a chance to put food in the freezer for our families and friends. All Vets R&R includes members from the Vietnam period to today’s conflicts. The veterans share many things in common, such as military expressions and a few things that are unique
to each generation. Some have beards, tattoos, some like craft brews, others prefer the old standards like those beers that have been around forever. But the veterans share one thing in common they want to help other veterans. Veterans who are struggling with everyday issues as a result of serving in a combat zone and witnessing events that are unique to war, causing them to have flashbacks and other nightmares that are grouped under Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The project depends on donations from individuals and companies to fund these events and host raffles for various items like barbeque smokers, sponsored hunts for game birds, deer, wild hogs, etc. For those companies and businesses that want to help with a donation, there are three levels of yearly sponsorship: Freedom Level is a gift of $50-plus, Liberty Level is $150-plus and Patriot Sponsor with a donation of $250 and up. The Freedom Sponsor receives a Certificate of Appreciation, the Liberty Sponsorship has its company advertisement on the R&R T-shirts and a Certificate of Appreciation and the Patriot Sponsorship receives top billing on the advertising efforts through local media and printing on the T-Shirts, their logo on the Project’s Banner that will be used in photo shoots for the balance of the coming year and a Certificate of Appreciation. Along with the types of sponsorships, if any items such as, fishing poles, outdoor equipment or hunting gear are donated, the group will credit the cash value and attribute it to either a Freedom, Liberty, or Patriot level sponsorship. To make a contribution or seek more information, you may contact All Vets R&R Project on Facebook or the president Ben McMahon at 903-467-4814 or
at the mailing address All Vets R&R Project, P.O. Box 1036, Corsicana, TX 75151. All honorably discharged veterans, young and old, are invited to come out and join this organization that helps other veterans in a time of need. Veterans must show their veteran discharge status via a copy of DD Form 214, a VA identification card or a Texas Drivers License with Veteran printed on it. Other folks who have not been in the military can join as an associate member. Dues for all are $25 per person or $40 for a couple. The organization has a special deal from March 18, 2019 to June 18, 2019, for those who join during this 90-day period, their membership will be free for a year. The All Vets R&R will have a table set up at Derrick Days, April 27 in downtown Corsicana, where it will be accepting all donations and membership enrollments. All Vets R&R Project meets at 7 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at China One Restaurant, across W. Seventh Ave. from Navarro College in Corsicana.