2021 SEIA/NEMO Veteran Hunt

 

2021 Southeast Iowa/Northeast Missouri(SEIA/NEMO) Disabled Veteran Deer Hunt

 

Jeff K.(veteran), Dan B(veteran), Orville W (veteran), Joe G.(veteran), Chloe, Dicky, Richard, Marcus, Joey, Janet. Missing from the photo: Raymond M(veteran), Salli

The 2021 SEIA/NEMO Disabled Veteran Deer Hunt had another amazing year. We had an outstanding group of veterans that made the weekend truly enjoyable. Events like these take a lot of effort from several people to make them successful. This year, Bowen Family Farm partnered with True Impact Outdoors and local community businesses and individuals. We had great support from True Impact Outdoors, Veteran Affairs Office in Keosauqua, IA (Kathy & Lucy), Raymond & Connie Morris, Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri, Peoples Bank of Wyaconda, Orschlen Industries Foundation, Kahoka Meat Processing, Dutchman's General Store, Outlaw DJ Service (P.T. Woods), American Sparks & Sawdust, LLC, Janet Meek, Randy & Judy Kennedy, Dicky & Lisa Bowen, Bruce & Pat Helgeson, Shorty's Porties, as well as my family - Richard, Joey, Marcus and Chloe. A HUGE thank you to Lisa Bowen for getting all the pictures and videos!

The Weekend began Friday the 24th with the Meet & Greet Kickoff. A meal was provided - Pulled Pork and cole slaw(made by Kahoka Meat Processing), hashbrown casserole, pasta salad(made by Pat Helgeson), fruit cocktail and butter cake. The 5 hunters were gifted a 3 knife Outdoor Edge set in a hard case(provided by Fox River Outpost) and an engraved cutting board(provided by American Sparks & Sawdust, LLC). Outlaw DJ Service(P.T. Woods) provided our kickoff music(God Bless the U.S.A by Lee Greenwood), followed by prayer, and our National Anthem(sung by Melanie May). We had a small rain shower come through, but we stuck it out until 10:30. Friday evening photos and videos were taken by Lisa Bowen.

(Video of opening ceremony can be seen on Bowen Family Farm Facebook Page.)

Saturday began at 4 AM with breakfast at the farm: Breakfast burritos, sausage muffins, homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee and juice were provided. All the veterans left to hunt and returned for lunch around noon.  Lunch: chili, ham sandwiches, chips, snack cakes were provided. Saturday evening offered our only harvest this year a 17 point buck by veteran Joe G.  Saturday evening meal: Hamburgers(provided by Kahoka Meat Processing), potato salad, vegetable salad(provided by Lisa Bowen), pasta salad, fruit cocktail, and pumpkin bars. Everyone enjoyed the bonfire for a bit before hitting the hay.

Sunday also began at 4 AM with breakfast, lunch was potato soup and sandwiches. Our oldest veteran hunter, hunted Sunday afternoon as the rest headed home. 

A collaboration of the minds came together Sunday and everyone was brainstorming new ideas.  There was a lot of positive feedback, as well as, a lot of great ideas. 

A write up about the event will appear in the local newspaper in Clark Co. Without the help of everyone, this event this year, would not have taken place. We can not thank everyone enough.