Brandon "No Legs" Long
Being able to hunt with other combat veterans is truly a blessing. I quit being a part of organizations for a long time because I didn't want to be paraded around town for people to look at. I got in touch with a combat veteran-only organization to hunt and had a fantastic time with those men, and my family got bigger. It was nice to finally be around other combat veterans and experience that brotherhood again. I spent a lot of time living my life away from the brothers I served with and other veterans as well, but being around them again has genuinely changed my life. I was dealing with a lot of depression and loneliness before I started hunting with other veterans.
I recommend any combat veteran or Gold Star family member to come out for a hunt and experience the bonding firsthand. It was on one of those hunts that I met Brad LeBlanc, and we have been best friends ever since. When he told me that he wanted to offer the same experience to other veterans, I was ecstatic and knew that it would be a great organization. From my experience and what I've heard from other veterans who have attended hunts like this, they go home with not only more friends but more family that they know they can depend on. We might only get into the deployment side of things sometimes, but I know that if I'm having a tough time, I can call anyone I have met, and they will answer.
Having that brotherhood again is essential for many of us veterans. We spend a lot of time and even years with the men we serve with, but when we get out, a lot of us lose that connection. Some, like myself, even feel like they have lost their way, but when you surround yourself with like-minded individuals who all share something in common, those feelings go away. After going on hunts with other combat veterans and Gold Star family members, my life is a lot better now than before.
To anyone considering a hunt with Honor Tribe Outdoors, I HIGHLY recommend it. It could change your life like mine, and I'm eternally thankful for everyone, including Brad LeBlanc.
Charles "Chuck" Armstead
HTO means a lot to me because of the great friendships and camaraderie built over the past few years. It's a place where we can go and be with Vets who understand the trials and tribulations of life after significant injuries. Getting in the outdoors and hunting has been very therapeutic because I can be in nature and relax without the worries of everyday life.
I first met Brad LeBlanc on a fishing trip south of New Orleans, LA. We had a blast, and it was just a natural connection between him and his fellow Vets on the trip. We sat and talked, and he expressed his passion and desire to create an outdoor program to continue to get more vets in the outdoors and from behind closed doors. The conversations we had showed that he was genuine and that he was a man of his word. The time on the ranch once the program came to life was nothing short of what he envisioned, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself the entire weekend. We laughed, joked, and even cried, just sharing experiences past and present.
I am so excited about how HTO is heading while providing Vets with a place to hunt, take home some meat, and, most of all, be amongst people who understand. I took the first buck of my life, which was exhilarating; now I know what it means to have buck fever.
Fermin Rodriguez
Honor Tribe holds a special place in my heart, as it embodies a profound purpose that resonates deeply with my values. It's more than just a community; it's a collective commitment to honor, respect, and support our veterans. The camaraderie within this tribe drives me the most, forging connections that transcend time and distance. Through our shared experiences and unwavering support, we stand united, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding that only fellow veterans can provide. This tribe ignites my burning desire to give back and be there for my brothers, strengthening the bond of service that continues long after our deployments and my retirement.
Brad and I first crossed paths during a veteran event in Alabama. With Brad serving as one of the hosts, we naturally gravitated towards one another. A weekend in the woods revealed that we were cut from the same cloth, sharing a deep connection through our military experiences. Our camaraderie grew even more vital during a subsequent event in Texas, where we, alongside six other veterans, achieved the incredible feat of harvesting a Bison. Since the inception of Honor Tribe, our conversations have become a daily ritual, as we both remain resolute in our dedication to supporting HTO in every way possible.
Jesse
Honor Tribe to me is a chance for comradeship with like-minded individuals. This is an opportunity men like me don’t get often. Here at Honor Tribe, I can experience brotherhood like I haven’t known for a long time since I’ve retired from the Marine Corps. It is an opportunity to keep up the vow “ leave no man behind” Honor Tribe is a pact made by brothers, Semper Fidelis!
I met Brad at a Brothers Keeps event at Granite Ranch. From the moment I met him, he was a straightforward man with a cool demeanor and a passion for wildlife and whitetail deer. Every minute with Brad was a lesson and a wealth of knowledge. After sharing backgrounds and stories he saw my eagerness to learn and experience what he does. He invited me to the ranch and I’ve been hooked ever since. Brad gave me the opportunity to take a buck at 125 yards. I hit the vitals and dropped him on the spot after fighting the sun and having to leave the blind and stalk 50 yards for a better angle. It was one of my best hunting experiences ever. Nothing can compare to the beauty of the location and amazing management to produce myth-worthy bucks by Brad.