“Warriors” - A Documentary by Proof

When I started this project, one of the things I hoped to do was connect some of the groups involved with new friends and supporters. I never could have imagined how it would start.

Billy Hodges, with Hunts For Heroes, couldn’t really think of anything his group needed. For their hunting and fishing trips, guides provide all the gear, and much of the lodging, food and other expenses are covered by donors. The only thing he could think the group needed was something he was hesitant to even mention. It seemed beyond the scale of what was even possible.

“Well, the only thing we really need,” he said, “would be some kind of vehicle to pull our trailer.”

Turns out Hunts For Heroes has a flatbed trailer they use to transport some of mobility-challenged “warriors” into the hunting grounds. Problem was, they had nothing to tow it through some of the tougher Texas terrain. I told him not to get his hopes up, but that you never know what’s possible.

“You think you’re Santa Claus?” he asked.

“Nope. But I’ll make a few calls.”

A few weeks later, I’m talking to a friend of mine, Mike Calabro. Aside from being an amazing photographer, he’s slightly unhinged, which I like. He also shoots quite a bit with 4×4 companies. He talked to some of his contacts in the industry, and a few days later, I got an email from Donna Beadle with Polaris. It simply read…

“My RANGER team is interested in donating a vehicle. What would the next steps be?”

I put her in touch with Billy, and a few weeks later, Hunts For Heroes were proud owners of a Polaris RANGER, the perfect rig to haul a trailer full of “warriors” into the hunting grounds.

The experience made me realize two things. First, most people have no idea that groups like Hunts For Heroes even exist. And second, when most people find out about what these groups are doing, their support of them is often as inspiring as people like Billy Hodges.

Operation Comfort
Operation Comfort was founded by Janis Roznowski, an American Airlines flight attendant who was part of a team transporting soldiers to and from the Middle East. On March 18, 2003, Janis began flying men and women in and out of the Middle East. The experience profoundly affected her, and she decided to serve, in her own way.

“Having had the great experience of being in the presence of some of the bravest men and women I have met makes me realize that we can never do enough for them. I believe that our military men and women are truly our nation’s National Treasure. Now that they are wounded, we must do what we can for them.”

Team River Runner
Joe Mornini is a teacher. He also has a passion for kayaking. On Tuesday nights, he combines those two pursuits with another passion: using kayaking to help wounded soldiers rehabilitate their bodies and their lives.

Joe and a group of volunteers hit the swimming pool at Walter Reed Army Medical Center each week, teaching soldiers in kayaks how to roll, and how to feel comfortable on the water. Team River Runner also adapts kayaks to suit each soldier’s needs, regardless of the nature of their injuries. Then, on beautiful Thursday afternoons in the spring and fall, Joe and his crew hit the Potomac River.

Hunts for Heroes
Based in El Campo, Texas, Billy Hodges lives in the heart of some of the best goose hunting and fishing in North America. HUNTS FOR HEROES has chapters in South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi, and California and eventually hopes to have chapters in every state in the USA.

Hunts For Heroes is dedicated to providing quality hunting and outdoor related activities to men and women that have been wounded on the field of battle in service to our country. Partnering with some of the best guides, ranches and hunting and fishing destinations, Billy and his group are able to provide outdoor adventures to some of the most deserving warriors.

Project Healing Waters
Retired Navy Captain Ed Nicholson is an avid fly-fisherman. More importantly, he understands how a day of tight loops and hungry trout can change someone’s life. So, in partnership with Trout Unlimited, he created Project Healing Waters, with the mission of using fly-fishing to further the emotional and physical recovery of our wounded warriors.

Since 2005, PHW has been offering its fly-fishing and fly-tying program to the patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. And recently, the program has expanded, with chapters opening across the country, all sharing the original vision and mission.

I’ll keep this first post simple and first offer up a greeting to friends and supporters. A project like “Warriors” is only possible with a lot of help from people near and far, familiar and unfamiliar. To all of them, I say “welcome.”

Second, I’d like to offer a salute to any and all “warriors” who have found their way to this site. Your service and sacrifice are an inspiration, and a debt that I hope this film, in some small part, can begin to repay.