The Intersection Between Freedom and Conservation: NWTF’s Veterans Recognition Breakfast
The NWTF recognizes that our nation’s natural resources and hunting heritage are predicated by those who serve and protect our country. This was evident as hundreds from the NWTF flock shared fellowship and celebrated our nation’s heroes Saturday morning at the NWTF’s Veterans Recognition Breakfast, sponsored by Winchester.
From the countless veteran-focused hunts hosted by NWTF staff and volunteers to recognition of their service at NWTF banquets across the county, the NWTF welcomes our nation’s heroes into the life-changing power of the outdoors.
Folds of Honor President Nick Nichols, a retired Air Force Colonel combatant, spoke about the sacrifices our nation’s veterans make and the impermanence of life.
“To my friends at the NWTF, thank you for the opportunity,” he said.
Nichols began his speech by showing the audience a photo of him hugging his wife after he took his last flight in a fighter jet, after decades of service.
“There is a thousand moments wrapped up in that picture,” he said.
Nickels discussed meeting his wife-to-be at the age 15 in Egypt as a military brat, losing his dad shortly thereafter, the horrors of war, the difficulty of assimilating back into society, how he was one of the lucky ones that got to come home, and how each veteran has their own story that needs to be told.
After a standing ovation from the crowd, Cully McCurdy, NWTF district biologist and retired law enforcement officer, recognized members of the crowd for their service. From a World War II veteran to active duty military personnel, members of the crowd were presented NWTF Veteran-recognition coins for their service by the NWTF’s co-CEOs and Nickels.
Nichols message to the audience distilled: “You won’t take those wasted hours to the grave.”
Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, their mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. Learn more about Folds of Honor.