Wounded Warriors treated to a great weekend in Southside Virginia

LUNENBURG – Everyone in Lunenburg knows that hunting is a past time enjoyed by local men and women with many skilled hunters throughout the area. This weekend saw a group of hunters having a successful turkey hunt that goes well beyond any game that was called and hunted.

The Warrior Hunts of Virginia, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was put together by Johnny Seamster, Barry Connell, and Brian Williams. The organization was started by Lunenburg and Mecklenburg partnering to bring in wounded service men & women to enjoy the outdoors and to participate in local hunting adventures. Friday and Saturday would be special days for the organization as they were able to bring four brave individuals from different armed forces branches to Southside Virginia for a great weekend.

The Warrior Hunters were Kaleb Weakley (USMC Sergeant from California), Kenny Weakley (Army Staff Sergeant from Virginia), Samantha Simonds (Army Sergeant from California and Jimmy Blizzard (USMC Sergeant from Maryland).

Local hunter and hunt organizer Johnny Seamster stated, “We wanted to do something to show our support for the many veterans that serve and protect our country.”

He continued, “We had seen similar programs in other states and wanted to start one locally where hunting is big and wounded warriors could come to Southside Virginia an enjoy the area and get a good hunting experience.”

According to Seamster, this past weekend’s turkey hunt “was a complete success!” Warrior Hunts of Virginia were able to raise enough money to be able to fly in California warriors to the area while the other two made the drive down from Virginia and Maryland. Everyone would gather at the Days Inn in South Hill where rooms were donated for the warriors. Thursday night was a meet and greet event with the callers that would be helping and volunteering their time for the hunt.

There were two hunters/callers with each warrior as David Wells and Jeramiah Fix took Jimmy Blizzard, Jimmy Puckett and Barry Connell took Kaleb Weakley, Lynn Harris and Kevin Lockhart took Kenny Weakly and Johnny Seamster and Chuck Bagley hunted with Samantha Simonds.

The group would gather together on Friday morning where breakfast sandwich’s and donuts were provided by donation from The Donut Shop and each group departed for their hunt. Following the hunt on Friday, the group would enjoy another donated meal to the group at Brian’s Steak House and that evening the group spent time at Brian William’s shop for steaks and ribs that were also donated as Bob Tanner and Morris Hudson did the cooking. Seamster said that during the night time meal, “The warriors showed us their shooting expertise while dinner was cooking.”

Saturday saw success hunting as two turkeys were killed by the Weakley brothers that morning and the group met at the Tastee Freez in Kenbridge for lunch and desert that was donated by owner Kathy Gilley.

Saturday night was another great bonding experience as the group met for a wild game supper at Brian Williams shop once again. There, all the helpers/callers, wives, girl friends, children, parents, other veterans, friends and children came to meet these four warriors.

Each of the warriors spoke during the Saturday night event, offering emotional thanks to every one that helped and showed support for this project. The warriors acknowledged that they all have a new extended family and this wasn’t just a hunt, butt was a big part of their recovery efforts

That night a room was donated by the Susan Morris Team of Keller Williams Midlothian for the two warriors who were flying out the next morning and they were treated to another surprise as   Buck Farrar had a limo come and pick them up to take them back to the airport.

Complete camo, 2 boxes of turkey shells, turkey calls and hats were donated to each of them. These were provided by the Warrior Hunts of Virginia, Hunters Helping Hero’s and Chuck Dick of Valvoline. Seamster continued, “This could not have been possible without the community support and donations we received.” Companies that donated and participated in helping with the hunt and festivities included, Virginia Marble Manufacturers–Kenbridge, VA., Big Fork Farms–Bracey, VA, Midway Nursery–Baskerville, VA, Circle W Farms–South Hill, VA, Slayton, Baine & Clary–Lawrenceville, VA, American Legion–South Hill, VA, Big T Tastee Freez of Kenbridge and Crewe, Twin Lake Outfitters- South Hill, VA, and all of the callers, cookers and helpers during this great weekend. Also, Couches Creek Taxidermy is mounting the birds at a reduced price with the rest of the payment being taken care of by people in the community.

Seamster continued, “Again thank each and everyone for the support and tell a veteran, active or inactive service women “Thank you for their service!” They have made and are still making it possible for what each of are able to do on a daily basis. Land of the Free home of the Brave”

He would also go on to note that additional projects such as this are in the works with possible deer hunts, fishing adventures, duck hunts and more as options with the continued support from area businesses and individuals. If anyone is interested in learning more about the organization or future hunts, contact Johnny Seamster at 434-480-0122 to learn more.