Washington, DC - October 31, 2017 – Representing the shooting sports industry and the disabled veterans it serves, (Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) Chairman Tom Taylor and HAVA's Learn to Shoot Again (LTSA) Director Rick Cicero attended a meeting in Washington, DC on October 26, 2017 with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on the subject of developing strategies to enhance disabled veterans access to public lands in pursuit of outdoor sports. Attended by a handful of veteran advocacy groups and disabled veterans, the session provided the Interior Department with new ideas to promote expansion of hunting, shooting and fishing sports among disabled veterans.
See an excerpt below of Secretary Zinke's office press release on the meeting:
Date: October 26, 2017
Secretary Zinke and Interior Leadership Host First-Ever Public Lands Access for Veterans Meeting at Interior
WASHINGTON – As part of "National Hunting and Fishing Month" today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke hosted a first-of-its-kind meeting with veteran service organizations to share experiences and ideas to make public lands more accessible to veterans with and without disabilities. The Hunting and Fishing Access for Veterans roundtable discussion was hosted by Secretary Zinke and included members of his leadership team. More than 20 veteran advocates participated, including many who specialize in hunting and fishing therapy for returning warriors.
"Hunting and fishing are more than a pastime. They are a way for us to connect with the land and the people we're with, while also helping recharge body, mind, and soul in the solace of nature," said Secretary Zinke. "Hunting and fishing present such an incredible healing opportunity for our veterans who return home with physical and emotional wounds. Unfortunately, many of our public lands are either inaccessible to individuals with various physical disabilities, or we just don't offer programs to encourage veterans to access and use them. I want these warriors to be able to return home from their service and enjoy the very lands they fought to protect. I want to make sure hunting and fishing on public lands is easily accessible and available. Hearing ideas from leaders in the veteran community about how to achieve this goal has given my team some much-needed insight as we move forward."
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
About HAVA
HAVA is a 501(c)3 organization formed by companies in the shooting and outdoor industry for 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, NSSF, Sig Sauer, Arnold Defense, ATK/Federal, Crimson Trace, Diamondback, FMG Publications, Glock, Hornady, Leapers/UTG, Leupold & Stevens, Mossberg, NASGW, Proof Research, Ruger, Surefire, Taurus, XS Sights, and Yamaha Outdoors among numerous contributing companies. Those who would like to learn more about the HAVA organization can do so at www.honoredveterans.org.
Media Contact: Kim Cahalan
October 31, 2017
Office: (309) 944-5341
Email: kim@mediadirectcreative.com
www.honoredveterans.org
