ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- The depot held its third annual Wounded Warrior Hunt Jan. 16-18.

Seventeen Purple Heart recipients from a variety of backgrounds and branches of service attended for the sport and to fellowship with fellow warriors.

"Our job is taking care of Soldiers and this is a great part of that," said Keith Colbert, director of community and family activities.

The event began Jan. 16 with a tour of the installation - a first for the hunt. Participants were able to view production operations in the Small Arms Repair Facility and Combat Vehicle Repair Facility.

One hunt participant, Michael Long, had a truly wonderful weekend. Not only did he bag the biggest buck, he learned he would be retiring from the Army March 15.

Long, a lifelong hunter, said the eight-point buck he harvested at the hunt was the biggest he ever killed.

But, it isn't the deer which had Long coming to the depot for his second hunt, it was his fellow Soldiers.

"I came back to meet guys I haven't seen in a while," said Long, whose served with some of the other hunters. "That means a lot."

The fellowship among participants had a boost from some new elements this year.

Friday night the hunters were invited to dinner with a depot employee. Chris Williams, division chief for the Turbine Drive Train Division and a prolific hunter, hosted the group for dinner. Then, the hunters and their guides returned to the installation's Physical Fitness Center, where many of them stayed throughout the hunt.

Three bucks and two does were harvested during the event, a small number compared to past years. But, the event's success was seen in the smiles of the participants and their promises to see each other next year.

In appreciation for the depot hosting the hunt, participants presented a Wounded Warrior Hunt coin to Depot Commander Col. Brent Bolander during the event's closing ceremony.

"I know, after working for the government, how difficult these programs can be," said Tom Taylor, a retired Marine who presented the coin. "This is a world-class, dynamic program."

Bolander said he was humbled by the appreciation shown by the hunt participants, saying he has been thrilled to play a role in the hunt every year.

"It's not every day you have a chance to be part of something so wonderful," he told the group.