November 21, 2024

HAVA Brings Veterans Together for 15th Annual Family Day in San Antonio

By Mark Oliva

Nearly 200 veterans and their families joined Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) at the San Antonio Police Training Academy for a day of recreational shooting, camaraderie and connection. It was the 15^th year for HAVA hosting veterans in San Antonio which was punctuated by a day of gunshots ringing steel.

“Welcome to HAVA 2024, everyone. We’re excited you’re here,” said retired Marine Col. Phil Torres, U.S. Marine veteran, Silver Star recipient and HAVA volunteer. “This is HAVA’s – Honored American Veterans Afield – 15^th year in San Antonio. That’s exciting. This is the one event that I always look forward to every year. HAVA is one of the best organizations in America looking out for the best interests of those that go into harms’ way and get home.”

That sentiment was shared by groups volunteering to ensure HAVA’s San Antonio Police Department Academy’s “range day” was a success. On hand were NSSF, A Girl and A Gun, The Single Action Shooting Society – a group of Cowboy Action shooters, GLOCK, SIG Sauer, Sturm, Ruger and Co., Smith and Wesson, U.S. Marines from the Marine Detachment, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland and HAVA volunteers from across the country. Veterans were treated to a day of firing rifles, pistol-caliber carbines, red-dot equipped pistols, cowboy-action guns and archery. The event was kicked off by a shooting demonstration by Smith and Wesson’s Jerry Miculek – who left the veterans and their families in awe of his rapid and accurate shooting skills.

.⁦@jerry_miculek⁩ shows why he’s a legend. pic.twitter.com/pkYtnX1YpS

— Mark Oliva (@MarkOlivaTweets) November 21, 2024

Industry Supports Veterans

HAVA was formed by volunteers within the firearm and ammunition industry, along with other firearm-related companies, to reach out to veterans, especially those recovering from the visible and invisible wounds sustained during war. While the events are centered on the shooting sports, the real intent is to assist veterans in reintegrating back to society and provide support for veterans who have to learn new ways to achieve their goals. Hunting and the shooting sports are the vehicle, but the goal is connection and healing through the gathering and interaction at these events.

“It certainly lets us know they care,” said Chris Fleming, HAVA’s Event Manager and Marine veteran. “The veteran community is not just a number or a customer. They genuinely care about the veterans they’ve supported since Day One.”

Fleming knows from his own experiences with HAVA and has benefited from HAVA’s efforts to reach out to veterans.

“It’s important for me because it gives me an opportunity to be around the guys I need to be around,” Fleming explained. “I have my selfish motives of not wanting to get out of the ‘club,’” referring to the community of veterans. “Sharing stories of similarity lets these guys and gals know they’re not alone. Hearing of fellow veterans that can say out loud and explain a route they navigated to get help for themselves – just saying that in passing can impact everyone in earshot that there is help available. It can be physical help as much as it is emotional or spiritual help.”

Participant at HAVA shoot in San Antonio

Building Community

Fleming explained his own story of how veterans can be the best source for healing for other veterans. Fleming is a bilateral below-the-knee amputee, an injury he suffered while serving as a contractor during the War on Terror. It was at a HAVA event that he was able to find answers to a better quality of life.

“I experienced it personally with a prosthetist. Up until that point, I was using a wheelchair and cane,” he said. He heard from another veteran of a prosthetist who could meet his need to get him up on prosthetic legs and out of his wheelchair.

“I’m healthier now than ever,” he added. “Moments like that happen throughout the day.”

More than that, the HAVA Family Range Day allows veterans to understand there is a community of like-minded people around them and help to grow their own support networks.

“It gives them the opportunity to be themselves without fear of judgement and without fear of criticism,” Fleming said. “They can come to our event and act as veterans, humans and warriors. We’ve been in San Antonio for 15 years and it’s gotten to the point where we have these amazing relationships that we all benefit from and we get to reunite every fall in Texas.”

You may also be interested in: