9/4/13 - A local veteran was able to go hunting on the opening day of waterfowl season this past weekend thanks to Hartland Township and South Lyon-based Operation Injured Soldiers. Brighton resident Jamie Gorm served six tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Accompanied by volunteers with Operation Injured Soldiers last Sunday, the avid outdoorsman was able to take part in opening day for goose hunting. The veteran and his guides were granted exclusive hunting rights on Hartland Township-owned property located at the southwest corner of M-59 and Pleasant Valley Road from September 1st through September 15th for this purpose. Gorm and the team from Operation Injured Soldiers hunted on the property for nearly six hours. Howell resident David Patterson volunteers with the group and approached the township to request the hunting rights. He says for many local veterans, simple pleasures like hunting and fishing are no longer possible without assistance due to their injuries. He says the volunteers work to make outings such as these available to injured soldiers by providing guides, assistance and â in this case â partnering with land owners to make the hunt possible. Operation Injured Soldiers plans to take at least one other group out to the township parcel before the early season ends. Pictured from left to right: Veteran Jamie Gorm, Guide Matt Patterson, Guide Dave Patterson, Hartland Township Resident Tim Westenberg and Guide Brandon Patterson. (JM)
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