FORT RUCKER, Ala. (August 13, 2015) -- It's said that the sacrifice Soldiers make in service to their country is a debt that can never be repaid, but one Fort Rucker organization is proving its support for wounded warriors is unending and unwavering.
Fort Rucker Outdoor Recreation has done much in the past few years to support wounded warriors, and it continues its efforts to make sure those who have served and sacrificed are taken care of, said John Clancy, ODR manager.
The biggest way that ODR is able to give back is through its Wounded Warrior Hunt, which is hosted by the organization every year, and returns Oct. 7-10 to continue its support for the cause.
"It's all about giving back to the Soldiers who fought for our country and got hurt during their time in service," said Clancy. "I'm greatly appreciative of what they've done for our country and I want to do everything I can to give back to those individuals who have lost in service of their country."
The Wounded Warrior Hunt enables outdoor recreation to give back to those wounded warriors by purchasing equipment that is handicap accessible for individuals in wheelchairs or who have prosthetic limbs, as well as by offering facilities to any wounded warriors, including those with post-traumatic stress, at no cost to them, said the ODR manager.
Year after year, the money raised during the hunt has allowed ODR to add to its collection of wounded-warrior specific recreation equipment.
Since 2011, the organization has been able to purchase two handicap-accessible elevated tree stands and a track chair, a customized handicap-accessible boat and, most recently, a 47-foot handicap-accessible travel trailer -- equipment that Clancy said serves to take care of Soldiers with emotional scars, as well as physical.
"The hunt is about bringing together those wounded warriors for camaraderie," he said. "If they want to come from Montana, they're more than welcome to come. It helps for them to come together, do something together and talk about their time in the service. Sometimes it helps them get some stuff off their chest -- that's what it's all about."
Clancy said he's gotten a lot of positive feedback from wounded warriors who have used the amenities available to them, adding that the support will continue to pour in as long as he is able to provide it.
The next project on the ODR team's radar, pending approval, is to provide a handicap-accessible cabin on the lake for wounded warriors and their family members to have access to in order to vacation on the lake.
Although the travel trailer is available for wounded warriors and can sleep up to six people, it's primarily used for traveling, and Clancy said there's nothing like spending time in a cabin with the family.
If approved, the addition to ODR's repertoire would be the organization's most ambitious and costly project, taking nearly four years to complete, but well worth the effort, said the ODR manager.
"I've called and spoken to wounded warriors from Fort Campbell, (Kentucky) and Eglin (Air Force Base in Florida), and they've all said that they thought it would be awesome to have somewhere they can actually bring their whole family for a vacation spot," he said. "The cost is something we'll have to work out, but our goal is to be able to get this for them."
Clancy's passion to support wounded warriors stems from his background growing up in a military family.
"I wasn't able to join the armed forces, but my dad served for 22 years, and since I've worked here at Fort Rucker and the more I've gotten to know the Soldier, I've always wanted to give something back and now I've got the chance to do that with the help of a lot of people," he said. "I'm greatly appreciative of what they do and I want to do everything I can to give back to those individuals."
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