HAVA Goes Long-Range in Texas
Precision Shooting Program Expanded
Barksdale, TX – July 15, 2019 – Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) announces the completion of the first of a series of long range disabled veteran shooting weekends at the FTW Ranch near Barksdale, TX. Hosted by the ranch that offers housing, meals and a first-class long-range program, the HAVA group consisted of five disabled veterans, all with significant physical limitations and all combat veterans with no precision shooting experience. Each veteran was supported one-on-one by an experienced HAVA volunteer to handle any needed assistance.
Day one featured issuance of rifles and some classroom work on safety and various optics platforms before lunch. Afternoon saw the group on the range sighting guns and learning to shoot out to 1,000 yards. Day two began with range work out to 1,835 yards, shooting moving targets and the opportunity to shoot both “charging buffalo” and “running elephant” targets. The last phase was a 20-round course of fire specifically designed by the FTW staff to test the new-found talents of the HAVA veterans.
They all passed successfully; with their smiles showing a new-found confidence that they could handle a difficult new task, despite their disabilities.
“Long range shooting is a relatively new program for HAVA,” said Tom Taylor, HAVA Chairman.
“We are showing disabled American heroes that there are new outdoor activities to learn, despite their limitations, and that they can excel in these new skills beyond their previous experiences.”
“We were impressed with HAVA’s commitment to excellence during this training weekend and look forward to more classes with them in the future,” said FTW Ranch owner Tim Fallon. “Our facility is all-inclusive and just perfect for disabled veterans, and the HAVA team demonstrated how their program can help these veterans build optimism about their future. There are lots of veterans organizations around – this one is the most professional that we have seen.”
About HAVA
HAVA is a 501(c)3 organization formed by companies in the shooting and outdoor industry with the purpose of raising awareness and further assisting disabled veterans with their healing process through guided hunts, shooting events and other outdoor sports activities. The sustaining sponsor companies are Smith & Wesson, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), SIG SAUER, Academi, Arnold Defense, Crimson Trace, E3 Training, FMG Publications, GLOCK, Hornady, Leapers/UTG, Leupold & Stevens, Mossberg, National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), Operation Hat Trick, Ruger, Savage, Surefire, Taurus, Vista Outdoor/Federal, XS Sights, and Yamaha Outdoors among numerous contributing companies. To learn more about HAVA, go to: www.honoredveterans.org.