Based on the general consensus of Wounded Warriors, guides, VFW 7764 members, and many of those present, the 2025 edition of the annual 2025 Wounded Warrior quail hunt at Lamar Smith’s farm on the Old Collins Road near Reidsville was the best yet. More than 60 individuals showed up as guides, wounded warriors, VFW members, and volunteers to participate in the hunt, prepare the meal of grilled pork ribs, or just enjoy the day with the warriors, and warmer than normal February weather did little to dampen spirits.  

Originally, a five-station clays competition was scheduled for the morning, along with the scheduled hunt to begin at 1:30 p.m., but a predicted high in the afternoon of around 81 degrees was too hot for the dogs, hunters, and guides, so the order of events was reversed.  

VFW cooks, including Trace Simmons, Wayne Campbell, Earl Boyett, Joe Boyett, Gina Hall, Mike Wise, and Ronnie Thomas showed up in a dense fog at 5 a.m. to get 25 racks of ribs on the smoker, and breakfast cooks Richard Driggers and brother Johnny Driggers started Richard’s Mountain Man breakfast and Johnny’s SOS on biscuits, which was served at 8 a.m. That, alone, was worth getting up early.

After breakfast, Lamar Smith welcomed the hunters, and VFW 7764 Commander Ronnie McCall provided the safety meeting, including approaching the pointed dogs from behind with gun muzzles up, being completely aware of where other hunters were, and not shooting at low birds.

Wounded Warrior  Retreat (WWR) President Terry Reynolds welcomed the group and thanked Lamar and VFW 7764 for hosting the event.  He mentioned that WWR events depend on the generosity of individuals and groups who recognized the sacrifices of American military men and women and are interested in making the lives of wounded warriors more normal and enjoyable.

Afterwards, WWR Vice President Richard Driggers assigned guides to hunters, and they left for the field around 9 a.m. Shooting began sporadically but increased quickly and became normal about 9:30 a.m.  Warriors had to be back at the barn at 11:30 a.m., and no one was late. Stories about good shots and easy misses circulated.

The noon meal was blessed by Ethan Brady, and smoked ribs and sides were provided by Susan Thomas and Southern Flair Catering, including snapped beans, potato salad, baked beans with sausage, mac and cheese, and homemade bread was served.  Blueberry and apple cobbler with ice cream rounded out the meal.

After lunch, some wounded warriors and VFW members went to the shooting house to try out the five-station clays.  Mathew Brady provided a short devotional, and wounded warriors competed for first, second, and third place trophies. Some warriors were worn out from the hunt and didn’t compete. Next year, the clays competition will probably be done in the morning, weather permitting, so more can compete. The 2025 winners were:  1st, Chris Castle; 2nd, Jason Letterman; and  3rd, Justin Story.

It is fair to say that no one enjoyed the day more than Lamar Smith.  Lamar has been a solid supporter of the Wounded Warrior quail hunt for more than five years.  He knows local warriors like Bruce Oliver, John Wingate, and Jackie Trim, and others personally, and he is well aware of their sacrifices to serve our country. He also understands that a nation cannot survive without those who are willing to fight to protect it, and like Bruce, John, and Jackie, Lamar grew up quail hunting in South Georgia and is well aware of the soul healing experience of an afternoon in the woods behind a pair of good birddogs. Every year, he reviews the event to see what can be done to make it better.  This year, he had Billy Ambrose suspend a huge American Flag on the side of a grain bin near the barn to honor the warriors, and the 2025 quail hunt, even with warmer than normal temperatures, was the best yet. The Wounded Warrior Retreat officers and warriors, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7764 would like to extend their appreciation to him.