Alabama Archives - The Link-Up

AHERO

Bob Bowden on July 17, 2023

AHERO connects Veterans through outdoor activities as a means to recover from their physical wounds and psychological trauma to reintegrate with American life.

AHERO (America’s Heroes Enjoying Recreation Outdoors) connects Veterans with patriotic members of local communities by organizing outdoor events and social activities. Our goal is to heal the physical and psychological wounds of war and military service by:

Introducing Veterans to resources and programs available to them to increase their overall quality of life
Developing an informal support network of Veterans across the country
Encouraging constructive communication and engagement
Boosting morale

Wounded Waters

Bob Bowden on July 10, 2023

Getting Veterans out on the water, away from their struggles.

The mission of Wounded Waters is to give wounded warriors including Combat Veterans, Active Duty Military and First Responders outdoor adventures like fishing trips so they can take a break from worrying about all the stressors of daily life. Many Military Service men/women, Firemen and Police deal with high stress in their daily jobs and may even have Post Traumatic Stress issues, but they generally don’t like to talk about it. Too many of our Veterans and Service Personnel are feeling anxious, depressed, stressed and alone. Some are even at a high risk of suicide, a tragedy which we strive to prevent. Wounded Waters is trying to break down the barriers around these Service men and women, we want to let them know they are not alone and offer a helping hand out of the darkness they may be struggling with.

Patriot Catfishing INC

Bob Bowden on June 4, 2023

Our mission is to provide a sense of normalcy and camaraderie to veterans, especially those wounded or disabled defending our country and freedoms, and members of their families. Service members and their families experience sacrifices that are not recognized or even understood by people unaffiliated with the military. We want to give them the opportunity to catch big catfish and be able to share their adventure with family and friends.

Wounded Warrior Outdoors

The Link-Up on March 20, 2023

Wounded Warrior Outdoors, Inc. is a non-profit organization exclusively founded to provide wounded servicemen and women with therapeutic outdoor adventures across North America. WWO gives deserving Active Duty Warriors in transition the opportunity of a lifetime in the wilderness location of their choice. We call them “Adventures Enabled.” Their adventure could take them bear hunting in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada, on alligator hunts or fishing excursions in the Gulf Coast region of Florida or deer hunting in Texas. During their experience, they will participate in therapeutic activities such as backpacking, trail expeditions and numerous social interactions.

Wounded Warrior Outdoors provides this all-inclusive adventure at absolutely no cost to the servicemen and women, their families or the government. Transportation, lodging, meals and documentation of the adventure is provided free of charge. It is because of this arrangement that Wounded Warrior Outdoors relies entirely on private donations. Administration, general offices and personnel services are donated.

In order to maintain this highly effective organization, we need the support of private individuals and corporations. At Wounded Warrior Outdoors, over ninety percent of all donations directly benefit these Active Duty Warriors in transition.

Fifty wounded, but active, members of the military are selected to participate each year. Our host facilities are of the highest quality and offer all the comforts of home. WWO also provides complete outfitting including gear, clothing and field transport. Even taxidermy services are provided at no charge.

Most important to the program, Active Duty Warriors in transition are provided with all the accessibility and equipment necessary to make it an adventure that is truly memorable and one in which they can participate fully. No matter the individual’s disability, our focus in on ability and making sure their adventure becomes the memory of a lifetime.

All military branches have participated in our program and we have many relationships with military hospitals that help us facilitate our programs.

Wounded Heroes Hunting Camp

The Link-Up on March 19, 2023

A Service for Our Military Service Members

Offering our wounded veterans the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy a hunting or fishing trip with all expenses paid, our group focuses on uniting fellow Wounded Heroes on our outdoor adventures. On our trips, our Heroes create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Wounded Heroes Hunting Camp is here for our Heroes, and we hope that you will share in our passion and commitment to do what we can for the brave men and women who have sacrificed to protect our freedoms. We believe that healing begins on the hunt!

Wishes 4 Warriors

The Link-Up on March 19, 2023

Wishes For Warriors is a veteran run, volunteer operated non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to returning hope and passion back into the lives of our combat wounded heroes, through therapeutic outdoor adventures, awareness, education and passion, after experiencing a life altering injury.

It is our mission to show these heroes that whether wounded of body and mind, they are still able to live out their passions, hope for the future and improved quality of life.

WarHawgs

The Link-Up on March 18, 2023

The Founders, Toby Cochran (USN Vet, DAV), David Cochran (USN Vet) and Board Members, James Cochran (USN Retired), Kenny Long (USN, Army Retired, Dothan Police Retired) and John Hodgson (Army Vet), started WarHawgs to provide an all-inclusive Adaptive Sports experience for Veterans, Active Duty and First Responders.

WarHawgs helps Disabled Veterans, Veterans, Active Duty Military and First Responders; through Outdoor Programming and Adaptive Sports, that promotes self-esteem, conflict resolution and enhances their quality of life. We serve veterans recovering from and learning to adjust to life with spinal cord injuries (SCI), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), loss of sight, and post-traumatic stress (PTS). We have specialized equipment to accommodate some of the most injured military heroes thus helping our honored veterans find their “new normal”. Our non-profit organizational mission focus is to enable the veterans and active duty military personnel (both wounded and well) who have passion for hunting, shooting, and the outdoors, the ability to do so! We provide outdoor activities with military members and their families, with a focus on reintegration after many years of deployments.

WarHawgs Adaptive Hunting Sports Program is unique in that we have no limitations as to who we can bring, if a military hero desires to get back in the woods, we can do it! We have specialized adaptive equipment for veterans with spinal cord injuries of all levels and vision-impaired to include loss of sight. We hunt deer, wild boar, turkey and a host of other wild game. We have worked with our community partners and other agencies to build a solid program that keeps growing.

Veterans Fishing Organization

The Link-Up on March 18, 2023

Veterans Fishing Organization, Inc. is a not for profit 501c3 organization. We provide military Veterans, including but not limited to those with physical disabilities and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with an opportunity for recreation and renewal through guided fresh water fishing and wildlife observation on lakes in Georgia and Alabama.

A Service for Our Military Service Members

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