This week’s recreational review is going to be limited in scope and completely dedicated to the organization Honoring American Veterans Afield (HAVA). At SHOT Show I visited their booth and received two DVDs for review. Both are shown below. I have interviewed their representatives and watched their DVDs. I am comfortable enough supporting their organization and goals that I’m going to simply use their own words to describe what they do and how. Check them out. Support them. It’s good work.

HAVA was conceived and organized in 2007 by a Committee of shooting sports industry executives to help the healing and re-integration of disabled combat veterans back into normal American life through participation in outdoor events. Seven companies committed funds and personnel to organize and sponsor initial HAVA sanctioned activities, and will serve on the Board of Directors, along with new Sustaining Sponsors for a period of three years to insure that the organization is launched in the proper manner.

The HAVA vision is the creation of a small organization of volunteers from the shooting sports industry to facilitate a series of hunting and shooting activities for groups of disabled veterans wherein personal attention of the sponsors and facility operators contributes to the veteran’s sense of joy and accomplishment, and a permanent awareness that marvelous things are possible despite disabling injuries. These veterans have given their full measure of commitment to the preservation of their country’s values, and deserve America’s contribution to their healing process to whatever degree necessary to accomplish physical, mental and cultural rehabilitation. HAVA, through the efforts of Sustaining Sponsors and other contributors, can become an inspiration to both the veteran and to a grateful nation whose best instincts are to support the veteran who has served its cause so well.

The DVDs

Shephers of Helmand
A sobering tale, Shepherds of Helmand, by celebrated director Gary Mortensen, tells the very personal story of the struggles of 17 noble American volunteers to train the Afghanistan army to resist the Taliban insurgents who would force the Afghan people to live as they would have in biblical times. Stationed in the deadly Helmand Province, a region rughlessly ruled by the Taliban, these American heroes fought off incessant attacks by a determined enemy committed to killing all Americans and further enslaving the Afghan people. “Shepherds of Helmand” takes the viewer close to the action by utilizing film, photographs and commentary by the soldiers who were there, including captured Taliban footage of the battles.

Donald Trump Jr. narrates this powerful 90 minute documentary of eternal war in an ancient land that has remained largely unchanged for 2000 years. Experience the terror and dedication of these brave Americans who are fighting for freedom, and the blunt attitudes of the Afghans who have never known peace, and don’t expect to live to see it.

Featuring songs by Grammy award winning Zac Brown Band and an original score by Stuart Currie.

This Is War
Editor’s Note: This movie contains extremely graphic scenes from the war. I DO NOT recommend it for anyone under 18. I won’t let my 13-yr old watch it.
“This is War” tells the story of what it means to be in combat in Iraq through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. This documentary follows nine National Guard soldiers from Oregon who ended up in some of the heaviest fighting of the war. Most of the photographs and footage were taken from the cameras of the soldiers themselves giving the viewer rare access to the front lines in places such as Fallujah, Najaf and the desolate IED infested roads outside of Baghdad.

Joking while a sniper shoots at them or griping about “higher command’s” decision- making processes, these soldiers come across as distinctly American. Of the nine soldiers covered in the documentary, two are severely injured in combat and several more are wounded in action. Through it all they retain their bond to each other.

Powerful and hard hitting, this film puts the war into a context that watching the evening news simply can’t do. It’s honest, brutal, funny and always engaging. This is War.

I encourage you to check out this organization. Visit their website at www.honoredveterans.org.

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