Skeet shoot hits fundraising mark for Wounded Warriors

Skeet shoot hits its mark for Wounded Warriors from Lee Roberts on Vimeo.

RIO MEDINA, Texas (Oct. 3, 2013) – The Lone Star Wounded Warrior Skeet Shoot not only honored America’s heroes today, but the event also raised more than $10,000 for Veterans Outdoors, a non-profit organization that hosts outdoor hunting activities for the men and women who have given so much in defense of a grateful nation.

Retired Army Sgt. Chris White, a Wounded Warrior, participates in the 2015 Lone Star Wounded Warrior Skeet Shoot in Rio Medina, Texas Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Lee Roberts)

Several hundred people, including event sponsors and volunteers, teamed up to supply the Wounded Warriors with free skeet, barbecue, lots of patriotism and support for their recovery, and then an auction raised funds for their future benefit.

“These trips really give us a sense of freedom back,” said Retired Army Sgt. Chris White, a Wounded Warrior who took part in the skeet shoot. “My leg was all messed up and I was in a wheelchair forever and never really felt like I could be the same person again… until I started coming on these shooting and hunting trips. It’s amazing what something like this can do for people like us who have been injured.”

Former Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Tongate, also a Wounded Warrior, spoke briefly at the opening ceremony, but couldn’t join in the skeet shoot because of a neck injury he received in combat in Iraq in 2006.

“What you are all her for today is really a great thing,” Tongate said. “And I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you.”

Eric LaBarge, retired soldier and Wounded Warrior, fires a shot during the 2015 Lone Star Wounded Warrior Skeet Shoot in Rio Medina, Texas Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Lee Roberts)

This is the fifth skeet shoot Lone Star Radiator has organized and recruited sponsors.

David Bippert, co-owner of Lone Star Radiator, said the many volunteers and sponsors of this event participate to honor the Wounded Warriors, and they donate their time and money for the skeet shoot, food, prizes, and items for the auction that raise money for Veterans Outdoors.

“If it weren’t for these volunteers and sponsors this event would never happen,” Bippert said. “People come out of the woodwork and want to help us year after year.”

Several Wounded Warriors not on active duty attended this year’s event. A larger contingent of military Wounded Warriors from nearby Fort Sam Houston could not attend the skeet shoot.

Eric LaBarge, retired soldier and Wounded Warrior, represented Veterans Outdoors at the skeet shoot and said the group of Wounded Warriors from the base did not get clearance from the command to participate as a precaution in light of recent violent shootings at public places nationwide.

Event organizers were surprised by the decision, especially since police officers are present during the event.

Volunteers prepare barbecue brisket served during the Lone Star Wounded Warrior Skeet Shoot in Rio Medina, Texas Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Lee Roberts)

“He (the commander at the base) does not want to put soldiers out in harm’s way right now with everything going on,” LaBarge explained.

LaBarge said Veterans Outdoors is a huge thing for veterans, and thanked everyone for making this year’s event successful because it’s all about honoring Wounded Warriors.

Bippert added that several skeet shoot representatives would be visiting the Wounded Warriors at the base and would be giving them “goody bags” in the coming days that they would have received at the skeet shoot.

“We know they wanted to come, but couldn’t,” Bippert said. “We will still make every effort to let them know we appreciate their service and encourage them to participate in another event with Veterans Outdoors when they are able to do so.”

The Texas Heritage Riders mounted up and posted the colors at the opening ceremony. Rio Skeet Mobile Skeet Shoots provided skeet services.