Hunters, Anglers and Sportsmen Pay Tribute to Veterans

August 16, 2007
Contact: Ron Black
gorilla@wildoklahoma.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: An Oklahoma-based paralyzed veterans organization is receiving a lot of attention lately and it’s coming from Oklahoma’s sportsmen and women. Hunters and anglers in Oklahoma are reaching out to raise awareness and much-needed revenue for Oklahoma’s very own Mid-America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“The MAPVA is comprised men and women who advocate for disabled veterans (many of whom are disabled veterans themselves) throughout the state and hunters and anglers appreciate the sacrifice these incredible men and women,” said Ron Black, founder of WILD Oklahoma - an Oklahoma based hunting and fishing television and radio program. “Without our men and women in the military, we wouldn’t have our right to keep and bear arms, nor would we be able to participate in the outdoors activities we so love – it’s time for us to pay tribute to them.”

The PVA Celebration, as Black calls it, is slated for August 23rd beginning at 4pm at the Del City VFW Hall and will feature food, beverages, face painting for the kids, live auction items ranging from a Buster Boat to guided hunts to a trip to Las Vegas, door prizes and numerous Oklahoma elected officials will be in attendance to thank Oklahoma veterans for their sacrificial service to our country.

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, Representative Joe Dorman, Representative John Enns, Del City Mayor Brian Linley and State Senator Kenneth Corn are just a few on the long list of elected officials who will be opening their hearts and hopefully their wallets to support the MAPVA. Oklahoma radio legend Mike McCarville will be a guest speaker as well.

“I am overwhelmed by the support we have received thus far in this endeavor and each day shows more,” said Black. “The Iron Plainsmen motorcycle club has even scheduled a poker run to help raise funds on the 23rd of August also. Already, we’re planning next year’s event at a much bigger venue.”

“To think this all started with a little turkey hunt in Northeast Oklahoma is almost mind boggling.”

Proceeds from the event go directly to the Mid-America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and benefit Oklahoma veterans and members of the MAPVA exclusively.

Future veterans events are being scheduled by WILD Oklahoma Radio and & Television for Northeast Oklahoma, Southeast Oklahoma and Northwest Oklahoma. WILD Oklahoma television is broadcast on Fox 25 in Oklahoma City, KSWX in Lawton and coming soon to the Tulsa and McAlester markets.

www.wildoklahoma.com

###

How often is it we find ourselves faced with an opportunity to truly impact the lives of others, and so doing, create a ground swell of enthusiasm?  If you’re like me, it doesn’t come about very frequently.

Fortunately, the proverbial lightning has struck for me and the WILD Oklahoma pro staff this year.

We filmed a hunt with the Mid-America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America in Miami, Oklahoma earlier this year and as I may have mentioned and as I wrote in the Oklahoma Gazette, it was a life changing and life affirming event for myself and everyone involved.  As a veteran, I was moved by the enthusiasm and excitement of my brothers and sisters in arms who have faced some of the most difficult challenges anyone could imagine.

One soldier we hunted with had taken a head shot while in Afghanistan, serving with Oklahoma’s 45th.  He was and is ambulatory, but emotionally still has some issues and some fine motor skills are problematic, but the enthusiasm and excitement to get out in the woods and slay a thunder chicken was absolutely infectious.

We decided that this was the time to do something for these guys.  We at WILD Oklahoma made the decision to host a fundraiser and awareness campaign for the MAPVA and we’re kicking it off on Saturday, August 23rd at the Del City VFW Hall.  What we thought were going to be around 100 in attendance is now well over 700 - and this from word of mouth, our television program and radio program.  We have seen enormous support for this event and let me tell you, we’re humbled by it.

When opportunities come about to make a difference, I encourage you to pick up the torch and do it.  You’ll be blessed beyond your wildest dreams.

As most of you have already surmised, I am the founder of WILD Oklahoma Media, LLC - a radio, television and Internet celebration of the great Oklahoma outdoors. But our involvement and support of the outdoors transcends merely the great state of Oklahoma. We support everyone who participates in the shooting sports, in archery, angling and our hunting rights.

What I hope to provide here is information with a twist - a support of the outdoors, but with a unique perspective that hopefully will result in helping you defend the 2nd Amendment, get involved on a local level, or take your family out in the woods.

America is at a crossroads right now and we all have to make difficult decisions as to where we spend our discretionary income . As for me and my family, I will spend it celebrating the amazing traditions of hunting and fishing.

Welcome and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me here !