Thermopolis welcomes our nation's finest for antelope hunt

by Nelda Currah,

Hunting with Heroes

Wyoming “Chief Helper”

Once again, the Thermopolis community united in support of our nation’s disabled veterans to host the recent Hunting with Heroes Wyoming Annual Thermopolis Antelope Hunt. The hunt was on September 3, however, the veterans were spotted around town throughout the week and weekend taking in the beautiful local scenery and sharing community with the delightful people in Thermopolis. Hunting with Heroes Wyoming (HwH WY) welcomed twelve veterans from seven different states – Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.

In 2023 the Thermopolis Chapter welcomed Joshua Bahr, US Army Veteran from Rock Springs, WY; James Campbell, US Air Force Veteran from San Antonio, Texas; Daniel Coy, US Army Veteran from Perrysville, OH; Grant Coy (Daniel’s son), US Marine Corps Veteran from Kent, Ohio; Stephen Dickson, US Army Veteran from Clarksville, Tennessee; Joseph Ellis, US Army Veteran from Etna, Wyoming; Scott Gates, US Navy Veteran from Lancaster, Pennsylvania; John Poulos, US Marine Corp Veteran from Olympia, Washington; Suzanne Stepp, US Army Veteran from Rappahannock Academy, Virginia; Tim Wanke Sr., US Marine Corps and Army Veteran from Adams, Tennessee; and Mathew Williams, US Navy Veteran from Palmyra, Tennessee. All veterans filled tags that were generously donated by Thermopolis community members, and headed home with their prize antelope, meat to put on their tables, and memories of a lifetime. Suzanne Stepp took home the trophy for the biggest buck! Congratulations, Suzanne!

HwH WY also welcomed special guest US Army and Vietnam Veteran, Larry Baker from Cody, Wyoming who spoke on behalf of the organization and the value it has brought to his life throughout the years. The team was also joined by Clarksville, Tennessee VFW Post 4895 Quartermaster, Dave Ross. Post 4895 hosts a fundraiser each year to help HwH WY get more veterans in the field in Wyoming.

The Thermopolis hunt went off without a hitch as it does each year many thanks to the remarkable Thermopolis team including Chapter Leaders Jim and Cindy Collins; the crew at VFW Post 2281 that provided a home base for the veterans throughout the weekend; the Hot Springs Hotel & Spa that provided housing; and of course, the expert guides, the generous tag donors, and the kind landowners who allow the veterans access to hunt on their property.

Hunting with Heroes Wyoming has been hosting hunts for disabled veterans since 2013 when US Army Veterans and Wyoming natives, Dan Currah and Colton Sasser founded the organization. During the past eleven years, they have hosted ~3000 hunts for disabled veterans from all fifty states. They support veterans from all conflicts – WWII through Afghanistan. Veterans must hold a 50% or greater disability rating certified by the Veterans Administration to qualify to hunt. In their eleven years, HwH WY has never turned a veteran away because of a disability. They were recently awarded the Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award from the American Red Cross, and the organization was also featured in the Emmy Award winning Wyoming PBS Special “A State of Mind – The Battle Inside: Veterans and PTSD” – a documentary series exploring the high suicide rate in Wyoming and the toll PTSD has taken on so many of our veterans lives. HwH WY was honored to represent the veteran community in this series.

Hunting with Heroes Wyoming would like to express their deepest gratitude to the entire community of Thermopolis for their continued support. Most veterans are on life-long healing journeys and in constant search of resources and assistance. These hunts and time in community provide a much-needed lifeline, and in some cases, they have absolutely saved lives. God Bless our generous Americans and God Bless America’s Veterans.

For more information about Hunting with Heroes Wyoming, visit http://huntingwithheroes.org/or contact nelda@huntingwithheroes.org