Hunts for Heroes will host its fourth annual fishing weekend for wounded warriors Saturday through Sunday, and the whole thing will be filmed for inclusion on the Hunts for Heroes Veteran Outdoors TV shows aired on Saturday mornings on Fox Sports Southwest.
During the past three trips to Palacios for fun, food and fishing, wounded warriors have come from Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio . This year the warriors are coming from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington , D.C. , and possibly from Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood near Killeen .
Brad Strittmatter, marketing and sales director for Veteran Outdoors, said the program has 13 original episodes that will air every Saturday with a weekday re-air. The fourth will be shown this Saturday. The show will be on every Saturday until Dec. 26.
This weekend's fishing event will probably not be aired until the end of September, Strittmatter said.
However, previous fishing weekends may be shown prior to that.
"This fishing trip really showcases what a great organization Hunts for Heroes is. We want to make sure people realize it's not just a heavy take one or two guys on hunting or fishing trips. We want to make sure that everyone sees all that they do," Strittmatter said of the fishing weekend and a duck hunting weekend held every fall at the El Campo area Whistling Wings Duck Club owned by Ed and Stephen Weinheimer.
Southwest Airline recently donated 30 free round-trip passes with no restrictions to Hunts for Heroes to fly wounded warriors to various hunting and fishing outings.
The Walter Reed patients will be flown to Hobby Airport in Houston , and Hunts for Heroes volunteers will escort them to Palacios. Citizens of El Campo and Palacios are encouraged to form a parade rout and wave U.S. flags to welcome these veterans. For many it will be their first public outing since being wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan .
"Their stories are just amazing, and we want to share those stories with everybody and to share that experience with everybody. This was one of our main reasons for doing the show, and if we can raise awareness and raise some money for Hunts for Heroes, then that's even better. Hopefully it will inspire people to volunteer their time, or donate their money, or get involved with groups like this. That is a main goal of the show," Strittmatter said.
One way to help fund Hunts for Heroes programs, which cost about $100 per day per wounded warrior, is to participate in a benefit raffle. Details and pictures can be found at www.huntsforheroes.com.

There are two raffles. The first is a custom rigged hunting Jeep with front quail seats, high seat, lift kit and custom color schemes. Retail price is more than $35,000.
Raffle No. 2 includes a custom rigged fourseater Mule with two additional high seats in the rear. It has been built specifically for this Hunts for Heroes raffle. It is outfitted in military camo. It's fuel injected with power steering, stereo system and MP3 connection. It has front and rear lights and LED roof lighting and upgraded wheels and tires. Retail price is more than $20,000.
Tickets are $20 each or six for $100. The drawing will be held Friday, Oct. 9.
Ticket purchasers must be 18 or over. Hunts for Heroes is a 501c tax exempt organization