By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Wounded Warriors gather to help improve shooting house
Front row l-r: Gina Hall, Mark Schreiber and Pat Corcoran. Second row l-r: Lew Graham, Ronnie Willis, Ronnie McCall and Jason Letterman. Third row l-r: Ronnie Thomas, Lamar Smith, Trace Simmons, Richard Driggers, Billy Morgan, Wayne Campbell and Bill Kuli
Front row l-r: Gina Hall, Mark Schreiber and Pat Corcoran. Second row l-r: Lew Graham, Ronnie Willis, Ronnie McCall and Jason Letterman. Third row l-r: Ronnie Thomas, Lamar Smith, Trace Simmons, Richard Driggers, Billy Morgan, Wayne Campbell and Bill Kulick. Back row l-r: Jerry English, Ray Kaiser, Hunter English and Earl Boyett.

Wounded Warriors gathered at Lamar Smith’s farm on Saturday afternoon, February 24, 2024, to help Lamar, Lew Graham, and Ronnie Willis evaluate the current design and determine needed alterations to Lamar’s shooting house that would make shooting stations more compatible for shooters in wheelchairs.  Pat Corcoran and Mark Schreiber from Florida and Jason Letterman from Hinesville, GA, took part in the evaluation.  Pat and Mark are confined to wheelchairs, and Jason is an above the knee double amputee as a result of wounds in combat.  

Lamar hosts a Wounded Warrior Retreat quail hunt annually at his farm, and this year he decided to add a shooting house with 8 target traps that throw clay targets at various angles for shotgun enthusiasts.  He asked Lew Graham and Ronnie Willis to construct the house several weeks ago and hoped it would be ready to be used by warriors at the 2024 quail hunt.  The construction was complete except for safety provisions for the stations specifically designed for shooters in wheelchairs. Before adding the finishing touches, Lamar wanted warriors like Pat and Jason to come and shoot and offer ideas for improvement. They were able to come by on Saturday after the pheasant hunt held at Mont Royal Plantation in Swainsboro.  In addition to the warriors, Lamar invited members of VFW 7764 to come by and shoot some clay targets and also make suggestions.

Before the shooting began, Lew and Ronnie discussed the three shooting stations designed specifically for wheelchairs with Pat and Mark and worked out a plan to install safety barriers about 24 inches high that would allow them to maneuver wheelchairs into the edge of open sections without fear of accidentally rolling off the platform.  Pat pointed out that he could maneuver his chair relatively quickly to put himself in the optimum position to shoot, but without a safety barrier of some type it could be possible to get too close to the edge and roll off.  

“I can see myself doing that. If it would happen to anyone, it would be me,” he said

Lew and Ronnie came up with a plan for guardrail about 24 inches high that would serve as a barrier to protect the shooter from getting too close to the edge while providing an unobstructed field of fire.” 

After measurements were completed, warriors and VFW 7764 members stepped up to the stations and shot several rounds.  The rabbit clay that bounced along the ground from left to right like a miniature rocket was judged as the most difficult.  Most shooters kicked up dirt behind it.  One shooter opined if they didn’t get better, rabbits would surely take over Lamar’s farm. 

It was a good afternoon and plans were laid out that could help provide Wounded Warriors with hours of shooting recreation in the future. A big thank you to Lamar Smith who has worked to help provide wounded warriors with opportunities for outdoor activities.