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It’s not about help. It’s about providing the opportunity and environment to re-kindle a passion – a passion for the outdoors that a wounded veteran may have forgotten.

It’s about lighting the fire.

Ross Williams, the man behind the vision, draws from his own personal life experiences.

Ross has witnessed friends and fellow soldiers be injured, and how those injuries have affected their lives, including their interest in the outdoors.

Ross was temporarily injured himself too. After a paratrooping accident, Ross initially believed he would probably never walk again. He also thought he would never have the opportunity to do many of the activities he loved, including duck hunting and fishing.

It is living and witnessing the after effects of these events that has stirred a deep response in Ross. When you speak with Ross about his program, Operation Outdoors, you can clearly feel the care he has for his fellow soldiers, and see how his vision has emerged from these experiences.

Leading by Example

Ross has recently returned from his deployment and has wasted no time in putting his vision into action. Within a matter of days of being granted leave, Ross grabbed a friend of his and took him fishing. His friend had yet to do anything outdoor related since his injury.

Fish On

When his friend tightened up the rod on that first bass, Ross could see his friend’s face light up. His friend’s expression said it all. Ross could see the spark.

Ross' Key Message

Ross wants to emphasize a particular point to his fellow service personnel – the outdoors are still accessible to you.

His Goals

Ross’ vision includes a nationwide network of individuals that have the interest and desire to take injured service personnel back into the outdoors. The outdoors they once loved, and ultimately re-kindle their passions. One soldier at a time.

Carrying the Torch

If you have an interest in creating an outdoor opportunity for an injured soldier in your area, then give Ross a holler. This is a grass roots program and it starts with you.

Or if you know of a veteran that could use a spark, let Ross know too.

As after all, Operation Outdoors is ultimately all about them, and lighting the fire.

More coming. Stay tuned...

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