Heroes Haven 2014

From Wednesday to Sunday, our family was privileged to be a part of the 2014 Heroes Haven event. We were a part of this event last year as well. Both guys that participated with Justin last year were back again this year too. For me, this year was a lot different than last year. Last year when we arrived, everyone was a complete stranger to us. We had no idea what to expect. With the event last October and the many times we’ve visited over the past year, this time it was like coming home, and we brought friends with us. Justin was able to link up a couple of his Walter Reed buddies with Heroes Haven, and we were excited to have them come and enjoy themselves as much as we did last year.

Unlike last year, we didn’t have to cut through red tape to go on the trip (not having an IV line in Justin’s shoulder helped), we were able to get there in time for Justin to shoot at the gun range. The new guys all sighted in their weapons that they would use for the hunts. Justin assisted since muzzle loaders can be tricky. Then the guy from a local gun manufacturer brought out some guns (with lots of ammo) for the guys to try out. A few of the guys even tested them out at the 500 yard range (and hit the target). After they finished at that part of the range, they moved over to the skeet shooting area and continued having a great time. It rained off and on while we were at the range, but the rain didn’t put a damper on everyone having a good time. Corey was glad it rained because he got to try out his new rain boots by splashing in the puddles. There was no lightning, so I didn’t even bother trying to keep him dry…it would have been a pointless endeavor. lol Due to the rain, there weren’t as many motorcycles out to escort us to the American Legion post, but there were a few who were out in rain gear.

While the guys were out hunting on Thursday, Corey and I got to go toy shopping. The couple who are in charge of the local Toys for Tots asked us to join them to pick out toys for the program. We were given some very basic guidelines and went at it. Corey was a big help in being our toy expert. I had explained to him the night before about Toys for Tots and he was so excited to pick out toys that he just knew the boys and girls would love. We ended up filling 5 shopping carts full of toys. Thankfully the store wasn’t busy at the time because it took us a while to checkout at the end.

On Friday morning, Justin shot a couple Sika deer, so that evening, he decided to take Corey out in the deer stand with him. Corey was so excited to go hunting with his daddy. He had his little binoculars and Justin’s deer call, wore his camouflage clothes, and even had on camo face paint. Justin texted me a few pictures from the stand. The first was of Corey all excited and ready to hunt, the second was of him laying down on the floor of the stand and using Justin’s backpack as a pillow, and the third was of Corey fast asleep. Like father, like son. Justin’s been known to sleep in the stand a time or two.

Saturday night was the banquet. Looking around the room, you could see that, like our family and the other two guys last year, the new guys had shifted from strangers just meeting everyone on Wednesday evening to part of the community by Saturday evening. Everyone was talking and laughing like old friends. Yes, the main draw to the event is the hunting, but it’s the hospitality and friendships formed that has kept us coming back to Sharptown, and I have a feeling that the new guys will be back before long.

all of the veterans who were at the banquet

Justin, Robert, and Kyle - the Walter Reed guys