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The Patriot Hunts organization hosted a turkey hunt this past weekend along the Niobrara River Valley, with Rod and Debbie Ludeman hosting this year's hunt. Patriot Hunts, run by Ken Barnhard and his wife, provides outdoor adventures (at no charge) to any veteran participant who qualifies and is chosen for a hunt. "We at Patriot Hunts understand that outdoor life is not for everyone, and we respect that choice, but we want to make at least this opportunity available for those that wish to attend an event like this", said founder Barnhard. "Veterans, as well as Gold Star children left behind after the loss of a parent, should also have the same opportunity to experience what their dad/mom loved to do, even if they do not continue down the same path. We want to help them make new and happy memories as a way of helping our Heroes move forward on the road to recovery, whatever they may be dealing with." This year marks the 14th for the turkey hunt, with Rod Ludeman and Ron Schmit taking turns hosting the event. The veterans are housed at the respective hosts' homes, with each host providing cabins so they have separate quarters from the host. "Even though the missions in Afghanistan and the sandbox are over, we are still fighting a war. We try to get the hunters to interact with each other. I don't care if they get a turkey or not. We want to help these people get back into society with friendship and understanding to help them transition back into society and not potentially become a statistic that shows roughly 22 veterans a month take their own lives. We want them to be able to lean on us if need be and help them get comfortable in their skin." Dillon Mudloff, now a local boy residing in Inman, took part in this year's event. Mudloff grew up in Nevada, joined the Navy, and retired after 20 years. Two years later he decided to return to the area and try his hand at agriculture with his wife and four kids. "I spent 11 years overseas and in the military, and when you go into the service, you get indoctrinated into a way of life and a way of doing things that people who haven't served have no idea of what you have been through or the way you have been living. When I got out, it was tough. You missed your life in the service. The language I used in the service would have appalled most people if I had just started talking like I did in the service. So when we are here doing this hunt, it is nice not to put on a show or a filter, bond with guys who know what you mean, and not get offended." Chris Wilson from South Carolina has helped Patriot Hunts and worked with Ken. "My family was military, so I just kept helping with everything. I love the outdoors as much as anybody else and am grateful for the opportunity," Wilson says. "I want to thank the families of Rod and Deb Ludeman and Ron Schmit for having the heart to help us and the veterans with this event. Mason Heiss, a four-year veteran of the Navy, participated in this year's hunt. Heiss, who is from the Page area and now lives in Lincoln, has helped through the years in this hunt. "I am more than happy to help with this event, which gives the veterans a release from the pains of society and a time to feel more relaxed among people who have shared the same experiences. It gives me a good feeling to know I can help." The event has occurred over the last 14 years and has helped out over 80 veterans. Not only does the event take place with the hosts' help, but many other Holt County residents also chip in to help. Jerry Gokie lets hunters in the group use his land. Randy North assists guiding the hunts and helps line up hunting areas. North's wife,Tara, also helps with miscellaneous details of the event and makes contact with landowners for the hunt to take place. Steve and Ellen Boshart, Ed, and Shari North, Sheldon and Barb Otto, and others contribute fiscally and with other talents to make the event take place.
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| Tags | Veteran |
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