Episode 22

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Published on:

10th Jul 2023

Episode 22: Interview with Purple Heart Hero and WWIA Guide: Derek VanBuren

On today’s episode of the WWIA Podcast, we are proud to introduce you to one of our incredible Purple Heart Heroes and a certified WWIA Guide, Mr. Derek VanBuren. Derek grew up with a love for hunting, fishing and trapping from an early age and his passion for all things outdoors continues to this day. While attending college, he worked as a hunting guide, which broadened his interest in hunting, especially bow hunting. Derek joined the Army in July of 1998 and was deployed to Afghanistan from Nov 2008 until July 2009. While deployed, he and other members of his crew were wounded by an RPG during an intense firefight. He then spent time in Lundstuhl, Germany, Walter Reed Army Hospital, and the Warrior Transition Unit while recovering from wounds, for which he received the Purple Heart medal. He attended his first WWIA event at Camp Hackett, Wisconsin in the fall of 2010 and has been a valuable part of the WWIA team ever since. Today he lives in Michigan, with his wife Katie and two children Eli and Amelia. He enjoys stream fishing for Brook Trout, fishing Lake Superior for Lake Trout, Predator Hunting, grouse and small game hunting, bow hunting of all kinds, and most anything outdoors. Enjoy this awesome conversation with John and Derek.

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About the Podcast

WWIA Podcast
Honor. Connect. Heal.
Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) is a national 501(c)(3) public charity that devotes all its energy and resources to supporting the men and women wounded in combat who were awarded the Purple Heart medal. WWIA supports these phenomenal Heroes by providing them with the opportunity to participate in world-class outdoor sporting activities at no cost to them. We do this to recognize and honor their sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, and promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors.
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John McDaniel

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John J. McDaniel founded Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation in 2007 and established its corporate headquarters in Apollo Beach, Florida. A retired Army officer, John felt that his service to the nation was not yet finished. He started as a concerned citizen taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009 WWIA was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and has been changing the lives of American Heroes and American Sportsmen and women across the country ever since.