28 • The Beacon December 17 , 2020
Freedom Hunters now has a local chapter
By Jen Jones “ I was combat-wounded and kinda messed up when I got out .”
That ’ s how Brady Melear started his story on how he got involved with Freedom Hunters , a 501 ( c ) nonprofit organization that strives to provide outdoor adventures for veterans , active duty , Gold Star families and children of deployed . As he was being medically discharged from the Army , where he had served for 10 years , he was asked what he wanted to do with the rest of his life . He said , “ I want to take veterans outdoors .” That was in 2014 .
Melear tried other organizations before he found Freedom Hunters , but they just didn ’ t click with him . Now Freedom Hunters is a passion that both he and his wife , Jessica , share .
His wife spent 13 years active in the Coast Guard and is now in the reserves . They also have fulltime jobs and sons who are 13 , 11 and 11 months .
Melear is an outreach coordinator for the organization . They have had six events this year including a pheasant hunt on Oct .
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“ Jessica raised over $ 3,000 for that event ,” Melear said . “ Vets just have to show up ; we take care of everything else . She cooked , and we had 27 volunteers and veterans enjoy the day .”
Melear said this is a cause that is close to both of their hearts . “ It helps me as much as it does the people who come . It ’ s therapeutic for everyone . You see people come , and they are shy , quiet ,
MS250 CHAINSAW standing alone , and a few hours later , they are laughing and having fun . And a few days later , you find yourself in a group message with guys talking like they have known each other since kindergarten . It ’ s a pretty cool experience ,” he said .
Melear said any veteran , active duty , Gold Star family member or child of a deployed service member is welcome to apply for an adventure . “ Go to the website and apply . And this puts them in our date base so outreach coordinators from all over the country can find them if they have an event they might be interested in ,” he said .
The website is www . freedomhunters . org . “ Everything is paid for — their room , food , ammo . They just need to get there ,” Melear said .
Melear said he has taken people on adventures that have post traumatic stress disorder , are double amputees or any number of other injuries . But the adventures are for anyone .
“ Sometimes , even vets that aren ’ t visibly injured still need to be around others who understand . Not all injuries are visible . We want everyone to come and have fun ,” Melear said .
They can choose a wide variety of hunting experiences such as deer , turkey , duck or coon . Lake
See HUNTERS Page 29
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