HAVA Overcomes COVID-19 at Training Shooting Event

by
posted on November 28, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hava-holds-texas-event.jpg

Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA)— a 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed by companies in the shooting and outdoor industry to raise awareness and assist disabled veterans—partnered with seven organizations to host four days of diverse training and instructional shooting in late October for 60 veterans. The event, organized in response to HAVA’s Annual Family Day in San Antonio, Tex., being canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, took place at at the Bandera Gun Club in Bandera, Tex.

The first day focused on active-duty military and veterans who have shifted careers to law enforcement. Participants included personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the United States Marine Corps and Army Rangers.

Subsequent days of the event included introduction and training sessions for different shooting pursuits, including steel target, long-range and handguns. Fifteen of the participants are Texas-based, catastrophically wounded veterans with various injuries and disabilities. All enjoyed the instruction, friendly competition and familiar military camaraderie with those who understand their challenges. A retired Ranger Battalion Command Sgt./Maj. who attended said he was impressed with HAVA’s training and noted the fact that he learned skills not addressed during his time as a Ranger.

“HAVA continues to search for new ways to impact the lives of those we honor even during this challenging time we face,” said Tom Taylor, HAVA chairman. “This event model has taught us we can have significant impact in very personal and meaningful ways by having less attendees, but more one-on-one experiences and sharing.”

Two Army Airborne Soldiers attended with stories of how service impacts lives. One, a newer Soldier, saved another paratrooper while exiting an aircraft, but became entangled himself. One of his arms was severed as he fell from the airplane. The second Soldier suffered numerous back and leg injuries throughout his many years in the Airborne. This HAVA event motivated him to not only get outdoors and shoot more, but he also plans to spread that enthusiasm to his peers.  

The Bandera Gun Club, The Independence FundInternational Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), Warriors Heart, staff and volunteers from HAVA, SIG Sauer and ACADEMI supported this event. Their donation of time, along with the efforts of Vietnam veteran and retired USMC Col. Phil Torres, the event would not have been possible.

Latest

Sw Mp Spec Series Web
Sw Mp Spec Series Web

Review: Smith & Wesson Spec Series V M&P 9 Metal HD

This latest enhancement from Smith & Wesson proves that good things can come from heavier, steel-framed packages.

Old Glory Bank, NRA Partner To Provide Banking Benefits To Members

Old Glory Bank and the National Rifle Association (NRA) recently entered into a joint marketing relationship to provide banking benefits to members of the NRA Business Alliance and NRA-affiliated clubs and associations.

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.