The Fourth of July should have every American thinking about our independence and those who made sacrifices to keep America free. I am not sure that an ever-growing percentage of our population still keeps those thoughts at the top of the list for this national holiday.
As a kid growing up, I remember that almost every neighborhood would be plastered with American flags waving in the wind up and down almost every street in the land. I fly two lighted flags every day of the year. One is at my home and other on the very top of the hill on my wildlife property.
My dad, Marv Rall, served in Korea. My son, Brandon Rall, served in the Marines and did two tours in the sandbox. My niece, Katie Rall, is with a medical wing in the Air Force, and her brother, my nephew, Sam Rall, is with military intelligence in the Army.
I have countless other family and friends who have served our county, and I, for one, know that some of the things they have seen and endured is more than I could have taken. It is this family connection to the military that has created such an admiration for those willing to risk their lives for citizens of this great country.
I have been a volunteer for Pheasants Forever for more than 30 years. I have participated in hundreds of different wildlife habitat projects and been involved with more than a few public land acquisitions. All of this effort is what satisfies my core.
There is one project we started a few years back that is far different. We hooked up with an organization called Warriors Never Give Up. There is nothing completely different about them. There are many groups and programs that take current and past members of our military ranks hunting and fishing. This one just happened to be very close to home as it is headquartered out of Brandon, South Dakota.
I was looking at a very large photo on the wall in my living room this morning which had 15 servicemen and women in it along with 15 volunteer guides and several other support staff. It was a photo full of smiles, dogs, guns and a very large dose of camaraderie. It was to me almost reverent.
I have met soldiers from all across the country. Six to seven different states were represented at last year’s hunt. At the dinner the evening before, we had all of the Vietnam veterans come to the front of the room. When they were assembled, we all formed a line and shook their hands and welcomed them home. The returning soldiers of that era could not even wear their uniforms in the airport without being spit on or chastised.
My eyes were leaking when one vet broke down. He was 73 years old, and as he gave me a big hug he said, “I was never welcomed home; this is the very first time.” At that moment I was forever changed. This man left his home when he was 18 years old and served in a foreign land, full of death and peril, and his country ignored and abandoned him upon his return.
I am grateful that the current situation today treats returning men and women very differently. Pheasants Forever chapters all over the nation are part of that change. Appreciation hunts are now common. It is my intent to honor these men and women by helping them to enjoy the outdoors and the flush of a wild rooster.
You can personally take part in these efforts or at least support the organizations that I do. I met a vet that the local chamber sent my way. His name is Tom Weick. He lives in Utah. He and I are going to have a beer this October, and I intend to welcome him home.
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com. or on Twitter @habitat champion.