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Group links disabled veterans with hunting, fishing trips

MITCHELL, Ind. (AP) - The smile on Justin Law's face told the story.

A disabled veteran, Law suffers from a rare nerve disorder called CRPS that causes excruciating pain - and can flare up for almost no reason at any time.

Yet about a month ago, a group called The Fallen Outdoors not only helped Law forget about his condition for the day, but gave him some family memories he'll cherish forever.

"My wife said she hadn't seen me smile like that in years," Law said.

That's the mission of The Fallen Outdoors, a national, nonprofit organization that was created to put together hunting and fishing trips for disabled vets and service members, according to Evan Smith.

The Indiana chapter has been around for a few years, but Smith said in an email interview that it's really taking off with new volunteers who are working hard to organize more outings.

Smith joined the group just over a year ago after meeting Indiana organization leader John Payne at the Indianapolis Deer and Turkey Expo.

A Lafayette resident, Payne was injured overseas and is medically retired from the U.S. Army.

Smith knows first-hand some of the challenges disabled vets face.

He's one himself.

After retiring from U.S. Army, also due to an injury, Smith was in a severe car accident. A commercial van ran a red light and T-boned his vehicle and, as a result, Smith needed neck surgery to fuse his cervical spine. He also required shoulder surgery, he said.

"I can tell you that each day is a struggle to manage my pain level," Smith said. "But getting outdoors has been one of the best methods of therapy for me.

"My wife, two sons and I spend a lot of time in the woods having fun. My two young sons have no idea that a day in the woods playing truly means a day for me to take a deep breath and ease the chronic pain that surrounds me."

Although the group's hunts take place all over the state, Smith said he's been able to set up six in Lawrence County so far.

The main way they connect with service members, veterans and volunteers is through the organization's Facebook page, Smith said.

Called "The Fallen Outdoors Midwest All Veteran Community Page," you can request to join. And once you've proven your military status, you're eligible.

Meanwhile, states and chapters post open hunts and fishing trips - and members are encouraged to apply. Generally, participants are chosen at random to attend.

Law got on the list a little differently. His wife has been friends with Smith since junior high school, and Smith knew about the family's plight - as well as Law's longtime love of hunting.

So when Nick Brewer from Kenney Orthopedics in Bloomington and the Pheasants Forever Central Indiana chapter reached out to Smith with a desire to host a pheasant hunt at Sugar Creek Hunting Preserve in Mitchell for five disabled vets, he knew just who he wanted to invite.

Although Law's condition is slowly improving - he was able to stand briefly for a recent daddy-daughter dance - he uses a wheelchair, which makes hunting an even greater challenge.

But that was covered, too. Ed King, who has an Indianapolis-based company called Mobile Outdoors, provided a John Deere Gator with a mobile front platform and stabilized chair. King also brought his three bird dogs.

"King is brilliant and generous man," Smith said.

Another kind-hearted veteran, Kurt Sarlls from Johnson County, provided the ammo, while Doug Skinner worked hard to make the event possible, Smith said.

The day of the hunt, they were welcomed by the Sugar Creek staff - as well as owners Brian and Andrea Waldbieser, and Brewer from Kenney Orthopedics.

"We walked into the beautiful lodge and everyone was amazed at the beauty of the rustic wood, the taxidermy mounts, and the smell of the crackling wood in the fireplace," Smith said.

After shaking hands, they got paired with their shooting partners - with Smith making sure he and Law would share the adventure.

But this wasn't just any walk in the woods. They had arranged something called a European Tower Shoot. The hunters were strategically placed in a huge circle at 10 different stations with a tower in the middle.

Two pheasants were released from the tower at a time - and depending on the direction of flight, a hunter would open fire. And after 20 releases, the hunters switched stations.

At first, Law was worried - since both cold weather and even just traveling on rough terrain can trigger a debilitating reaction.

But instead of enduring more pain, Law had a blast.

Within just a few hours, the group shot 190 pheasants out of 300 that were released - with Law and Smith bagging birds at each station.

But there was more. After lunch, the group went after the ones that got away.

While Law rode on the front of the Gator, his 10-year-old son, Kendrick, and Smith walked alongside behind the dogs.

King's dogs would sniff out the pheasants, point him in the right direction and then King would flush them out so Law and Smith could get a shot.

"They would freeze and point them out. Completely lock up stiff," Law said.

"The enjoyment of watching the bird dogs work the fields ... find a bird and lock on point, was honestly even better than the shots we were able to make," Smith said.

Law's verdict: "It's the finest hunt I've ever been on ... To see my boy enjoying it ... it just meant so much," he said.

"Justin lit up the day with his excitement and it was something that makes you truly feel good inside to know that you were able to be a small part in making someone's day great," Smith said. "This hunt will truly be a highlight in my life."

To top it off, the birds were all processed on site by Sugar Creek employees and given to hunters to take home.

Last fall, Smith brought an active duty Army captain from Camp Atterbury out to harvest her first deer.

"I've been deer hunting for 10 years and this is the first and only one I've put in my freezer," said Capt. Jocelyn McNair.

And it took place without any time to spare - the last day of gun season. "It was definitely meant to happen," she said.

McNair credited Smith and his dad - who also bagged deer that day - with working hard to create the best possible conditions for the hunt.

Whether on his own time and money, or part of The Fallen Outdoors, Smith said the best part of providing hunts for veterans is helping them realize there is a way to deal with their unique challenges.

"These veterans who have been willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms and way of life, get to take a stress-free breath of nature's air and realize that there is a way to deal with the many struggles we all face.

"Whether you were injured and live with debilitating chronic pain, lost a fellow brother in arms overseas, or struggle with another challenge, nature doesn't care. She doesn't judge us and we still get a perfect place to take a deep breath, think about what matters, and enjoy some fellowship in the process. God has blessed us with an amazing world to enjoy."

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Source: Times-Mail

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Information from: The Times-Mail, http://www.tmnews.com

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