MIDLAND, Texas — A West Texas organization for veterans is coming back to the community.
Show of Support Military Hunt is reopening under new leadership, and with it comes a fresh set of goals for the non-profit in how they will support West Texas heroes who need it.
Show of Support started over two decades ago with a deer hunt.
“That was my way of telling them thanks, and what I found out is this whole community wanted to be a part of that," said Terry Johnson, Founder of Show of Support Military Hunt. "I never expected it to grow to what it grew to.”
After about a two-year hiatus, Johnson is handing the reigns over to Trey Atwater of Midland.
“As far as the brotherhood getting back together and caring for each other in a way that we only know how to do is something that we’re looking forward to doing," said Atwater, Executive Director of Show of Support Military Hunt.
Atwater is bringing a combat veteran’s perspective to lead Show of Support into a new era.
“To be able to grow after that and how to hone those experiences into something that can actually benefit your community is something that a lot of people and a lot of organizations don’t target, and we want to be able to do that," Atwater said. "So, through those experiences and events that we come together that’s something that will be taught in a lot of the campfire talks and things like that.”
Their focus will include encouraging West Texas veterans to use available resources, while also building strength, community and post-traumatic growth.
“Staying tough and ignoring those pains and muscling through [is] something you’re taught in the military to do," Atwater said. "When you get out you tend to still want to do those things, and you have to learn how to not do those and take care of yourself so that you can recoup those relationships.”
In order to achieve that, the plan is to host more regular events.
“There’s still a lot of turmoil underneath even after 10 years of being out that these events open that up and really produce some opportunity for healing, and it’s important for me to continue to serve that after that was offered to me as well," Atwater said.
A veteran-to-veteran community with hope behind the impact it can have.
“If it’s just one person that gets saved from this, that’s great," Atwater said. "If it’s 10 people that betters their quality of life, then it’s all worth the effort."
Atwater added that his goal is for everybody to have a new perspective and understanding of combat disabilities.
For more information about Show of Support Military Hunt and how you can get involved with the non-profit organization, click here.