Rabbit hunt outing is latest offering for disabled heroes

The Hope for Heroes Organization recently put together a rabbit hunting weekend and invited several Heroes to tag along. Some hunters were experiencing their first rabbit hunt and without the Hope for Heroes, the experience wouldn’t have been possible.

Mitch Serlin, Founder of Hope for Heroes, has been in the area for more than a year and has acquired a following among the locals in Clinton and Cumberland counties.

Several of the Heroes have been to the Hope for Heroes Lodge and been a part of several events put on by the organization since it moved to the area.

Those Heroes who were present Saturday were Patrick Howland, Adam Peacock, Eddie Crowley, Matt Moser and Perry Thorington.

The group finished the day harvesting seven rabbits on the King farm Saturday and four on Sunday’s hunt.

Both days hunts were made possible with the use of dogs. Those dogs were provided by Jeff Melton on Saturday and Matt York and Burkesville Mayor Keith Riddle on Sunday.

“We really appreciate Kim King for letting us use her land to take these soldiers hunting,” Melton said.

Many of the Heroes are disabled veterans, however, the Hope for Heroes Organization also accommodates police and firemen who have been injured in the line of duty. Those who have been injured may not have the means to get out and hunt and to be in the outdoors … Hope for Heroes helps with that challenge.

“I was involved in 911 and that community is strong. I know what they do to keep us safe throughout the year,” Serlin said. “We sleep good at night because they are on duty. So, if they needed help, I figured it would be the best avenue. Unfortunately, they are the ones who are predominately injured, so they are the ones needing our help. We have had firemen and police at some of our events.”

The Hope for Heroes next event will come in April for the second annual Cast and Blast weekend which will feature a weekend of turkey hunting and fishing on Dale Hollow Lake.

Serlin said he has had several television hunting shows commit to the weekend and he is excited and thankful for all the support by the Clinton and Cumberland County communities.

Hunters participating in last week’s Hope for Heroes rabbit hunt, gathered prior to the start of the hunt Saturday on the Kim King farm in Cumberland County.

 Adam Peacock used his track vehicle during Saturday’s rabbit hunt in order to get around. Peacock lost his leg serving our country and uses the specially equipped vehicle to maneuver across the rough terrain during hunts.

The hunt ended with seven rabbits being harvested on Saturday and four on Sunday.