FORT RUCKER, Ala. (May 22, 2015) -- Fort Rucker's Outdoor Recreation has earned a long-standing reputation as a dedicated supporter of wounded warriors, and it's keeping with that tradition by adding to its repertoire of equipment available for those who have sacrificed for the nation.
Outdoor recreation added a 42-foot mobile trailer to its growing list of wounded warrior-specific equipment for disabled veterans to use at no cost to them, according to John Clancy, ODR manager.
"We're always here for the Soldiers and their families, and we have a big passion for those who have sacrificed and gotten hurt serving the nation," he said. "It's close to most of our hearts to take that extra step for those Soldiers who might not want to be out in public because of an injury, so we're trying to give them something that they can come out and use with everybody."
The trailer can comfortably sleep six people, and comes with a whole host of amenities, such as a hydraulic wheelchair lift, wheelchair-accessible shower and bathroom, full kitchen with accessible stovetop and oven, as well as a refrigerator and microwave, and air conditioning.
The trailer is also available for travel if wounded warriors wish to take the trailer for a trip off the installation. Clancy recommends that anyone wanting to travel with the 16,000-pound trailer have a vehicle capable of pulling at least 18,000 pounds.
"We've had (the trailer) now for about two weeks. The funds were raised from the two previous Wounded Warrior Hunts," said the ODR manager. "It took two years to get the money raised for this, but people were very generous to donate. When we let the public know about it and what we were trying to accomplish, people were really helpful and we had really big sponsors."
In previous years, the Wounded Warrior Hunt has raised tens of thousands of dollars to support wounded warriors on Fort Rucker, and that money has gone directly into buying new equipment for those wounded warriors, said Clancy.
"Unlike other programs, people can see directly what the money they donate is going towards -- it's tangible, they can touch it," he said.
In addition to the trailer, some of the other equipment that ODR has for wounded warriors include two hydraulic elevated tree stands, called Carolina Growlers, that are handicap accessible, as well as a track chair, which is essentially a wheelchair with tracks -- much like a bulldozer -- instead of wheels, said Clancy.
"[The tree stands] are ground level, so that a gentlemen or lady that is wheelchair bound can go up to it independently," he said. "They can open the door, go inside and turn a key that will give them control to raise the tree stand up to any elevation they want to go."
Clancy said that the tree stands are also portable and have the capability to be hooked up to a trailer to be moved to desired locations.
The Growler is a solar-powered vehicle fully capable of going anywhere on post, features full-tilt capabilities on the go, can lift up to a height of 20 feet when fully extended and hold up to 750 pounds.
The track chair, which is much smaller than the tree stands, is much more portable individually and works just like an electric wheelchair, added Clancy. It is battery powered and rechargeable, and can operate for up to four hours on a single charge.
There is also The Warrior, which is a boat that was purchased two years ago that helps meet the recreation needs of wounded warriors and physically disabled people.
Some features on the boat include: a ramp that allows a person in a wheelchair to directly roll onto the boat, specialized controls, remote control anchor, wheelchair locking system and other specialized features.
Reservations must be made in order to use the boat, and reservations can be only one day at a time. At the end of the reservation day, patrons may reserve the boat for the following day if it hasn't been reserved.
The boat has a capacity of up to eight people (1,160 pounds), and can be used for various activities, such as fishing and different types of water sports, said Clancy.
"It's also perfect to use to just spend a day on the lake with the family," he added.
All patrons wanting to utilize the boat must complete the Fort Rucker Boater Safety Course and can do so by visiting http://www.ftruckermwr.com/recreation/outdoor-recreation/boating-safety-course/, or by visiting the Fort Rucker ODR service center, said Clancy.
There will also be a separate safety briefing provided to people prior to taking the boat out. All of the equipment available to wounded warriors is available at no cost to them.
"I just hope these recreational enhancements will bring the local communities closer together to support the wounded warriors and their families," Clancy added.
For more information, call 255-4305.
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