As a Conservation Agent (aka: Game Warden), I get the opportunity to meet a lot of different people and organizations. I get to work with some of the best people I’ve ever met, and I get to arrest some of the worst.
One of the highlights of my career, though, has been working with one remarkable group of people: recovering Veterans. Ten years ago, I was contacted by a man name Tron Peterson who had just founded a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization called Peterson Outdoors Ministries (POM). I had met Tron once before and was impressed by his character. Tron told me that POM was going to get recovering Veterans back in the outdoors through hunting and fishing adventures and he had questions about wildlife regulations. I got involved with POM first as a Conservation Agent, and ever since have been volunteering on my personal time as well. I have met some amazing Veterans and most of them are some of the humblest people I have ever met even though they have experienced things that I can’t imagine. They are truly appreciative of any opportunity and love getting back in the outdoors. POM is unique because they also work with the families of the Veterans and have continuing follow-up with them for as long as the Veteran wants to. Their goal is to stop Veteran suicide and minister to the Veterans and their families as they deal with their experiences in war, their injuries, and their transition to civilian life. I have found that working to help others often helps me deal with my own problems. I highly recommend finding some way to help others. Whether it is volunteering for a group like POM or just helping someone on your own, I guarantee it will help you as much as it helps others!
For more information on Peterson Outdoors Ministries see www.petersonoutdoors.org
