By Don Lowe
As Peterson Outdoors Ministries remains fervent in its mission of “providing outdoor recreational therapy for injured and recovering veterans and their families, and first responders, as well as youth and adults with disabilities or serious illness,” the upcoming Heroes Hunting for Hope Fall Veterans Deer Hunt is an important event that impacts lives tremendously.
When considering what sparks interest in this inspirational initiative, Tron Peterson, executive director–Peterson Outdoors Ministries/Lodge of Hope, says, “Many veterans have injuries that keep them from enjoying the outdoors or they don’t have an opportunity to go hunting, and we offer that for them.
“Lodge of Hope is fully accessible for those with disabilities. We offer a wide range of adaptive equipment, like track chairs and specialized shooting rests, that allows individuals with the most severe injuries a chance to go hunting. Whether they are a quadriplegic, vision-impaired or an amputee, we have the equipment to help get them outdoors.”
Peterson notes, “Another benefit of this hunt, according to veterans who have attended in the past, is they’re able to fill their freezers with meat and provide food for their families. This is something that’s important to them.”
In sharing how this vision came together, Peterson says, “I felt the need to provide opportunities for veterans on a larger scale, where we could minister to more people at the same time. We were able to bring veterans from all over the United States to our farm near Nashville, Missouri, for this specific hunt.
“The goal was to bring veterans, many who had been injured in Afghanistan and Iraq, and their families to our farm to experience the beauty and solitude of the outdoors, as well as a faith-based program designed to help them with healing from the traumas of war.”
Veteran Robert Duke of St. Roberts, Missouri, who served in the Army from 1997 to 2012 and achieved a final rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC)/E7 and Infantry MOS, while working as a drill sergeant before being medically retired, benefitted from this hunt. “It helped me conquer my fears.
“It helped me understand myself again and gave me strength to keep pushing. By the end of it, you’re so much more relaxed and hugging everyone else like you’ve known each other forever. Everybody else there has gone through the same things as you. It’s more like a therapy session instead of a deer hunt.”
There’s a three-part process (before, during and after) to the hunt and Peterson says, “Months before, we work on logistics and sorting through hundreds of applications to choose those who could benefit most. After being selected, we contact them to let them know.
“Then we get to know a little about them, their families and their stories. We try to find out about their needs and extent of their disabilities, whether they need adaptive hunting equipment, are in wheelchairs, have food allergies or anything else we need to know so we can provide them and their families the best possible experience.”
Peterson says during the event, “Each veteran is teamed with a couple of guides that assist them in the hunting blind. Guides are selected based on their character and knowledge of hunting. They assist where needed and are a listening ear.
“Each morning starts with breakfast and a faith-based message that gives them something to think about while in the blind. Veterans hunt until noon and return to the lodge property for a homemade meal prepared by local churches or businesses. Then, it’s back to their hunting spots. And, every evening, a local speaker shares a message of hope that can be found in Jesus Christ.”
The evenings are especially endearing, and Peterson says, “The first night, veterans are given gifts that they will use on the hunt, as well as encouraging letters from Webb City and Carl Junction elementary school children.
“On the second night, the veterans are honored at a banquet, where they’re given resolutions from the Missouri State Senate and House of Representatives, as well as a handmade quilt from Quilts4Vets.
“After the hunt is over and the veterans return home, we continue to keep in contact with them and their families for the days and years to come,” says Peterson. “We want to be there when life throws them a curveball or when they just need someone to listen.”
Peterson knows events like this are life-altering and says, “Many people tell us after attending that what stuck out most is they came as an individual but left as part of a larger family with a newfound knowledge of the love of Christ for them and their situations.”
Peterson’s passion for ministry comes from a long history of military in his family as well as several who have struggled with disabilities or challenges with their health.
Peterson Outdoors Ministries/Lodge of Hope (Heroes Hunting for Hope) Fast Facts
Headquarters: Lodge of Hope is located at 26756 S. 2440 Rd., Sheldon, Missouri.
Website: www.petersonoutdoors.org
Contact: Executive Director Tron Peterson
Phone: 417.529.0115
Email: [email protected]
16th Annual Heroes Hunting for Hope Fall Veterans Deer Hunt Dates: Starts Friday, Nov. 15, with veterans arriving between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and departing Sunday, Nov. 17, about 2 p.m.
Number of Participants: A total of 10-12 veterans.
“I love our veterans and those who have sacrificed to help keep this great nation free.”