Our Team
Testimonials
November 15, 2011
M1 for Vets is a unique and brilliant idea. From personal experience the project has aided my recovery tremendously. I was injured in Afghanistan in 2007. Specifically, the trigger finger of my shooting hand was blown off due to an ammunition explosion. Therapy and surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center gave me the use of my hand again... and the first weapon I fired was an M1 Garand through M1 for Vets!
M1 for Vets reinstalled my confidence that I could resume service to my country. An M1 Garand is much more than a historical battle rifle. It was a bridge from patriotic riflemen to carry me over troubled waters and in doing so a tremendous aid in my recovery as a soldier and as a responsible citizen.
I have completed 2 tours or overseas combat duty since my involvement in M1 for Vets. Each day I pick up my duty rifle I owe a measure of gratitude to M1 for Vets for getting my sights back behind the trigger. Whether on patrol in hostile environs or at home on the KD range, M1 for Vets has made a positive mark on the recovery of our wounded men and women in uniform.
Hitting your mark brings satisfaction to any shooter of any ability. M1 for Vets makes this a possibility for our wounded warriors with conviction, support, and pride. I am honored to be counted among the recipients of the program, and honored to continue my service to our nation.
Very Respectfully,
SFC Ceamus McDermott
C 1/20 SFG (A)
De Opresso Liber
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August 8, 2008
JJ,
In case LTC(R) Don Merritt in Owensville, MO, didn't tell you, I made it
back to Iraq. I am sitting in my office in Balad right now typing this.
Although I still can't shoot a rifle worth a crud, I qualified with my
M9 9mm pistol and am doing just fine.
I have noticed it is a lot quieter this time around.
I can't give enough thanks to everyone that helped me get back to doing
some of the things I love and are a part of me. All the way from the ER
docs and nurses in Balad when I first showed up, to the ENTIRE crew at
WRAMC, Cindy with OSC, you all with M1 for Vets, and even Camp Hope in
Farmington, MO.
Thanks for letting a blind man see the target again.
Joseph C. Bogart
CPT, EN
Executive Officer
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M-1 for Vets has been an awesome life experience. I’ve been honored to be both a shooter and a coach for various wounded warrior shoots.
I started my career as a sniper and got involved with doing competitive shooting but as the war progressed as did my deployment schedule shooting fell to the way side. In 2006 I was wounded in Afghanistan and spent a few months recovering my injuries. I left the fleet in order to recoup and get back into things. During this time is where I found my way into M-1 for Vets. Not only did this experience get me back into shooting but more importantly for me it allowed me to get around guys who have been in my same situation. The most meaning part of the entire program is hanging out with the group who all our just good people.
To date the best part of this has been coaching a wounded hero with no legs, a TBI or other injuries behind my rifle I received as a way to give back. To me, helping using my M-1 and knowing how I felt the first time I got back into shooting is what these guys feel also is priceless. Going out to the range and just getting away from it all for a little bit is what makes it all worth it as does belonging to the program. The entire experience of a day or weekend spent with the program is never a disappointment. You can imagine how sitting around a sharing this experience with those who have been injured can help in their recover process both physically and even more import….mentally!
Of course none of this could be possible if it wasn’t for JJ and the guys who volunteer their time to come out and assist and bring all their stories with them too which is fun to just sit back and listen. I always look forward to an M-1 for Vets event and look to try and see when I can help out as well.
Respectfully,
Gunner David Tomlinson_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cpl Neil Frustaglio USMC/RET
Neil served with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Lima Company in Iraq in 2005. He was wounded in an IED blast, resulting in the loss of both of his legs above the knee and 3rd degree burns. He became involved with M1 for Vets early on, as one of the first team members to go to Camp Perry in 2006. Since then he has enjoyed much more of what the shooting sports have to offer him as a wounded veteran. Neil also serves as a Veterans Representative for Homes For Our Troops, and is a VFW, DAV, and NRA life member.
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