Story and Photos by Mac Minard
Executive Director
Montana Outfitters and Guides Association
November, 2008
I am just recently back from a trip to Broadus, MT where I joined (horned in) Greg Stube on a donated hunt offered by Russ and Carol Greenwood of Doonan Gulch Outfitters. As some of you know, Russ and Carol have offered hunts to disabled veterans for 26 years. It is a powerful example of public service and giving back to community and country.
lthough severely wounded in a battle in Afghanistan 2 years ago, in which Greg and approximately 30 other Special Forces soldiers fought nearly 1,600 Taliban, Greg is anything but disabled. Yes, he did spend nearly two years in hospitals with his wife Donna at his side, and yes, there is lasting physical damage to his body from an IED and being raked by a machine gun. But his message of love, service, and personal responsibility are profound. He is a true American hero, although he would be the last person to use that term.
The days I spent with Greg will affect me the rest of my life. As a soldier he has transitioned from the ultimate warrior to a spokesman for the military offering a story of success in the war on terror that the mainstream media refuses to print. And, he has transitioned from a person who relied on Herculean physical ability to a man now focused on his family. Greg also is focused on his abilities rather than his disabilities, a message he delivers in a very compelling manner.
In his spare time (of which he has very little) he is working with a dedicated group of folks and sponsors on a project labeled HAVA which stands for Honored American Veterans Afield. Under this program deserving military service men and women who have demonstrated extraordinary service to their country are placed on outdoor trips as a means to reconnect with their love of the outdoors, rekindle the comradeship that comes from outdoor adventure and find time to get away with family and rediscover themselves and the family bond.
Russ and Carol Greenwood recognized the unique opportunity that Outfitters have in providing these types of trips. Many of our MOGA outfitters are offering these services in one manner or another, and have for years. We provide trips to children with life threatening illness, we are now working with women who are challenged with breast cancer, and we help exceptional service men and women reconnect with the outdoors.
We have retooled the Educational Institute to now house a program labeled Big Hearts under the Big Sky. Under this program MOGA members hosted three wounded veterans this season. John and Jeannie Wilkinson took two exceptional Montana National Guardsmen for a week of deer hunting and Russ Kipp hosted a family of four on a trip to Polaris to hunt mule deer. The fact they all got trophies is overshadowed by the obvious and lasting effects these trips had on these outstanding people and their hosts.
Greg will be joining us for the Convention and Banquet. I encourage all of your to come hear his message of service to community and country and to hear first hand about his personal mission to make sure that deserving people in uniform get the support they need to become active and productive neighbors as they themselves transition from protecting us as Americans to taking care of themselves and their families.
Oh, by the way, Greg shot a heck of a deer!
