A Michigan nonprofit is giving back to those who served on the front lines abroad and here at home.
“Wings of Freedom” is hosting a free pheasant hunt for veterans and first responders, for the next four days starting Friday, at the Haymarsh Hunt Club in Morley.
Navy veteran Bill Burgess from Cadillac has been a hunter his entire life, but after having his knees replaced getting out and into the woods isn’t as easy as it once was.
That’s where ‘Wings of Freedom’ comes in. Bill attended last year’s hunt put on by the non-profit and says he couldn’t wait to return for this year’s hunt.
“I came back. I like it, you know. It gives me a chance, you know, because I can’t really get out and walk the fields anymore. So being able to get them this tractor allows me to get out there and do what I like to do,” said Burgess.
Wings of Freedom’s Dean Molnar said Bill is one of about 300 veterans or first responders expected to attend this pheasant hunt over the next four days.
The yearly event started as a way to honor veterans but grew over the years to also include first responders.
“It’s an opportunity for us to be able to not only tell our veterans who protect our country, but for us to be able to tell our local heroes, our first responders, thank you to them for being there for us every single day in our communities,” said Molnar.
The nonprofit is in its 19th year of the hunt, and they’ve hosted veterans and first responders from all walks of life.
“We’ve seen people go off on the side and hug each other and cry because of experiences that they’ve shared throughout the war, or traumatic things in their local communities,” said Molnar.
Something felt deeply by army veteran Ryan Joseph Anthony.
“Oh, man, we are having a blast, out here pheasant hunting. I’ve never been [to a] pheasant hunt before. ‘My buddy was like, hey, what are you doing? I was like, not much like you want to go pheasant hunt? And I was like into turkey hunting and deer hunting. Yeah, sure. Let’s try pheasant. Let’s do that. I’m going to come back next year. But I’ll get me five birds next time,” said Anthony.
Veterans and first responders will continue hunting through Monday.