Messages From Our Heroes -- Operation Injured Soldiers Foundation

Messages from our Heroes.

First and Foremost thank you to Operation Injured Soldier's.
I as well as my Son will never forget the hunt we had at Buck Ridge Whitetails, in Walker Michigan. What a
phenomenal place to hunt and enjoy good stories of hunting. John the owner was one of the most
passionate people I have ever met when it came to the whitetail.
I didn't know what to expect as I haven't been hunting in years. When I was contacted by Tony and Gary
regarding my hunt opportunity I was apprehensive not knowing how I could possibly be successful with my
injuries keeping me from most activities.
Wow, what a surprise! I personally have never seen so many big deer in a large area such as this. I was
overwhelmed when I was told to wait for it that there were bigger ones. How could anything be bigger than
what was walking right up to me and my son, in our blind.
Well John was not kidding on my 4th try old "LobsterClaw" came out. I had never hunted with a
muzzleloader before so I knew my chances of bagging this beautiful animal was slim. I shot a 75 yd target
and all I seen was smoke, customary of a muzzleloader I guess.
I was blessed with the biggest deer in my life, and most of all I was able to create a friendship with two of
the greatest supporters of disabled veterans I had ever met since my discharge. They still had a kind word
even after my unorthodox way of putting down a scent line...ask John. My hunt was natural and was not a
deer placed in a pen.
We had to hunt! We had to be in the right place! Most of all I learned, I seen things most people never see
in there lifetime and I probably never will again.
I was Blessed by the opportunity given me by Injured Soldiers, and Buck Ridge Whitetails and I will never
forget my experience.

Richard A. VanderMey
Disabled Veteran
Desert Storm

enclosed find a picture of my magnificent trophy Whitetail