So, what’s going on at Camp Patriot?
A couple of years ago, Camp Patriot was a fairly new organization and I made some efforts to help promote their awesome group. I have reconnected with the Clarks, and friend Bill was kind enough to provide an update. We promised to stay in better touch, so that I can help spread the word about Camp Patriot! ~DesertRat
From Bill Clark:
Camp Patriot is moving along nicely. In 2009 we climbed Mt. Rainier with three new injured vets. Two Army Green Beret’s (SF) who were both badly wounded in Iraq and a third Army Officer Ranger that months before the climb was paralyzed from the neck down and told he would never walk again. Video of some of the climb can be seen on our web site at www.camppatriot.org under the 2009 Rainier Climb.
There are a number of still photos there and at the bottom of the entire page; you will find a link to the video. On the Video the first person you see is Ryan Job, wearing a light blue t-shirt with a grey pack. Ryan was our National Spokesman that we tragically lost this past September 24, 2009 from complications in surgery. Ryan was a Navy SEAL totally blinded during a fire fight from a snipers round. Ryan left behind his young bride and their unborn baby. We miss him terribly. The other vets are in the video as well as the climbing team.
We took two more vets on an elk hunt at a ranch in Idaho. On our web site there are news clips and photos of that hunt. A Navy SEAL that had lost a leg, has severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and is mostly confined to a wheel chair along with an Army Reservist from Illinois who had lost a hand and forearm. Both bagged beautiful bull elk.
We did a motor cycle ride through Glacier National Park with two injured soldiers from Ft. Lewis WA.
Other functions in 2009 included taking vets fishing, attending some Seahawks’ games and hunting in Texas.
2010 is shaping up to be another busy year. Our Rainier Climb this year will be July 10 – 15, tentatively. We have four injured vets, three SEAL’s and one Marine. We will have our second annual fund-raising banquet at Quest Field home of the Seahawks. Camp Patriot will be working with the Pony Express memorial ride to put several injured vets on horseback for several hundred miles of that ride.
Actor Cole Houser and his brother are putting a fund-raising golf tournament on in So Cal. this summer. A local lady in SE Washington State is also planning a gold tournament as a fund raiser in honor of her son who will be discharged after honorable service in the Marine Corps, this summer.
We will be planning another Motor cycle ride this year among many other adventures.
More on Camp Patriot:
Our Mission
Camp Patriot exists to take Disabled U.S. Veterans on outdoor adventures.
The task is monumental. Today, there are over 2.3 million disabled veterans in the U.S. The number of disabled men and women veterans is growing with each day the war on terror continues.
These brave veterans sacrificed much in order to ensure our safety and freedom. All of these veterans had dreams about the future, but many of those dreams were lost due to injuries suffered in the line of duty. Outdoor activities that they hoped to do in the future have vanished due to their disability. We want to thank these veterans by showing them that with the right help, they can again enjoy the great outdoors.
Our Vision
We are attempting to provide a great gift for those Veterans among us that have paid a tremendous price for our freedom. They have provided us protection from terrorism, oppression and tyranny. Consider for a moment the world outside these United States and you will understand what I mean!
Camp Patriot wants to renew the dreams and visions of our disabled veterans for a meaningful future. We will be bringing disabled American Veterans to the great State of Montana for outdoor adventures of their choosing. However, outdoor adventures are just some of the activities we provide disabled U.S. Military Veterans at Camp Patriot. We want to create relationships for them through outdoor adventures that will promote positive, life changing experiences.
With the construction of a first-class lodge outside of Libby, MT, we will be able to accommodate up to 20 Veterans per week. We will provide a range of outdoor activities, and will be equipped to accommodate Veterans with an array of disabilities. There will be no cost to the Veteran.
Our Quest
How can we ever repay an American Veteran who has endured so much personal loss while defending our great nation?… losses that can never be replaced!
Our actions will say, “Thank You for Your Service!”
Will you help us by your actions to say “Thank You” to the millions of disabled American Veterans?
Camp Patriot is a non-profit 501(c) 3 Corporation. A simple monetary “Thank you for your service!” could help us go a long way, and bring us closer as a nation in repaying these great patriots for their service and sacrifice.
