CAMP PERRY, Ohio – On April 19, 2024, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) hosted the Walleyes for Wounded Heroes non-profit organization within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, located on the grounds of the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility in Port Clinton, Ohio.
Walleyes for Wounded Heroes (W4WH) was formed to provide veterans, first responders and gold star families positive outlets through chartered fishing events on Lake Erie – hoping to reconnect with the healing power of nature. Through the support of donations by individuals, civic/service organizations, businesses, fundraising events and other contributions, W4WH is able to cover all lodging, meals, entertainment and transportation for each outing.
During the April excursion, harsh spring winds cut the planned boating trip short and left the group searching for an alternative. They decided to take a chance on an unknown facility – the nearby Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center – and were presented a guided tour of the CMP’s indoor electronic air gun range and Laser Shot simulators.
The simulators were new territory to the visitors from W4WH, but, fortunately, CMP’s Catherine Green and Alana Kelly were there to provide personal instruction on how to hit the targets and how to navigate the courses of fire.
Heroes, captains and staff from W4WH participated in the Practical Shooting and Steel Challenge courses loaded into the simulator – just a few examples of the over 100 possibilities offered in shotgun, rifle and pistol modes.
“The camaraderie was wonderful to see as they supported each other and had a genuinely good time,” Green said. “Some Heroes went through the courses multiple times, and it made me so happy to see the sport give them so much delight.”
According to Green, the group was timid upon first arrival, but once they began shooting through the simulator courses, they were quickly soothed by the ease of its use and the enjoyable atmosphere. As time went on, individuals within the group encouraged each other to continue trying the challenging yet entertaining courses.
“They were cheering each other on, laughing and having a great time,” Green added.
Walleyes for Wounded Heroes staff member, JoAnn Stewart, echoed Green’s interpretation of the event by saying, “We received rave reviews about the Laser Shot night. They had so much fun.”
The CMP currently houses two Laser Shot simulators within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Ohio and additional simulators at its Alabama locations in Anniston and Talladega. The simulators, like all of CMP’s marksmanship facilities, are open for public use each week – no previous experience required – and may be rented for large groups. Find hours and more information at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.
More About Walleyes for Wounded Heroes:
Walleyes for Wounded Heroes, Inc., (W4WH) provides opportunities for our nation’s current or former uniformed members of the United States Armed Forces, sworn Law Enforcement Officers, sworn Fire Fighters and sworn or affirmed Emergency Medical Responders, all of whom have been injured from combat operations or line-of-duty service. Charter captains and private boat owners take the Wounded Heroes walleye fishing for a 4-day event annually during the last week of June at no charge. Learn more through the W4WH website at https://w4wh.com/ or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walleyesforwoundedheroes/.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.
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