This year was the fourth annual Purple Heart Outdoors Tour
Read more: Local, Community, Military, Purple Heart Outdoors Tour, Military, New York, September 11Th, Firemen, Lt. Col. Dan Hammack, Operation One Voice, Quail Hunt, WFXL, Fox 31 News
The fourth annual Purple Heart Outdoors Tour invited some special guests this year.
The quail hunt, started in 2007 by Lt. Col. Dan Hammack, is invitation-only and includes wounded soldiers. This year, Lt. Col. Hammack decided to invite firemen who were on the ground in New York on September 11th. Paul Johnsen was one of three firemen on the hunt that took place in Edison Saturday. He says memories are still fresh of the day America was attacked by terrorists.
“I lost a lot of dear friends that day, I lost half the guys at my firehouse, a lot of close friends I grew up with,” Said Johnsen.
Also along for the hunt was Lt. Nathan Molica of the 75th Ranger Regiment, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. Around 30 members of the military participated in the hunt and for folks in southwest Georgia, it was a chance to let them know how grateful they were of the soldiers protecting their freedom.
“Kind of feels like you're a celebrity, even though we're just average guys, but it's definitely been humbling to be here and have everybody reach out and just want to thank you for serving the country,” Said Lt. Molica.
The program is also part of Operation One Voice, which supports children and families of wounded or fallen soldiers.
To find out how you can help, visit their website, OperationOneVoice.org.
