CityView Magazine

GRAND OPENING APRIL 16, 2010 Opposite left | Sgt. Emil Walsh, far left, has returned to the outdoors thanks to the Wounded Warriors to the Woods program. Opposite | Members of the Fort Bragg Quality Deer Management Association. Above | The association is planning another spring hunt this month. mechanism for each wounded soldier, a hunter’s education course and mentors who make sure soldiers successfully return to the woods. “We hook them up with a mentor who helps sight in the rifle or loans the hunter a rifle if he doesn’t have one,” Munroe said. The mentor ensures the hunter has everything required: clothing, ammunition, tree stands and getting him into the hide site. In 2008, the group took 12 hunters into the field. Emil Walsh started out as a participant but now plans to become a mentor and volunteer. He’s even planning a Colorado elk hunt this fall. “It’s my way of giving back,” he said. “I never thought I would be able to get back in the woods and shoot my 12 gauge or my 7mm. It took them saying, ‘Hey, come on, you can do this.’” The only limitation to getting wounded service members into the woods, Munroe said, is having enough volunteers and participants. Members of QDMA rely on word-of-mouth advertising and raise money themselves through a fall banquet and spring golf tournament. Proceeds go to the national program and the four local hunts, two for wounded warriors, two for children of service members. Maj. Kent Solheim is one of those warriors. He has a Purple Heart along with what the Army calls a “life-changing wound.” On July 27, 2007, then Capt. Solheim led a night mission in Kabala, Iraq, when his 3rd Special Forces Group unit came under fire. Doctors eventually amputated his right leg in March 2009. But when he came home to Fort Bragg, he took his son and daughter on a turkey hunt. “After my injuries, I was looking for something to do,” he said. “I was always active prior to my injuries.” His friends, one an avid hunter, suggested hunting, no easy feat considering Solheim used a wheelchair and crutches to get around. Friends helped him set up a hunting blind. “If you want something bad enough, there’s always someone there who can help you,” he said. “At first, it was just the thought of being outside. From there it grew into a passion.” Now, Solheim uses a prosthetic leg. He’s gone from hunting novice to hunting with bow and arrow and has become one of QDMA’s most avid supporters. “They do make a difference,” he said, “for the kids and for the wounded warriors.”CV CityViewNC.com | 59 Live DJ, Dancing, Karaoke, Fine Cuisine in the ambiance of a European Bistro Patio seating with unparalleled views of the Market House & Downtown Hours of Nourishment: Sun-Tues 11am -10 pm Wed-Thur 11am -1am, Fri-Sat 11am -2am 910.222.8237 ~ 102 Person St.

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