Bob Caudle flew the 13-starred American flag in anticipation of his guests Thursday afternoon — five wounded veterans coming to his cabin in Halifax for a day of fishing.

This is second straight year Caudle, a former district attorney who is now a hunting guide, and Greg Edwards, a Roanoke Rapids businessman, participated in the annual North Carolina Spring Blast and Cast through the Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation.

For Caudle, a Vietnam veteran, the day, which began at Edwards’ hunting lodge in Aurelian Springs for a morning of turkey hunting, is a matter of appreciation. “Being a Vietnam veteran myself, it’s rewarding to show these guys a little more appreciation than we got when we returned. They deserve much more than a fishing trip — they sacrificed their youth, their health and in some cases their lives. It’s a small measure of appreciation that we owe them.”

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Caudle recalls a fairly chilly reception when he got back, except from family and friends. “I don’t want these guys to experience anything like that. It’s a way to show these kids we have much appreciation for what they did.”

Spence talks with Edwards.

Local effort

Tim Spence is a Roanoke Rapids native who was injured in Iraq in 2008. Thursday he served as a guide, taking a party out on the river to fish.

He knows the healing that comes from being involved with the foundation as he went on a Wisconsin bow-hunting trip as part of his rehabilitation.

“It’s a tremendous healing process,” he said. “Talking about the experience was a chance to return to normalcy. We treated each other normal.”

While there were soldiers far worse off than him, Spence was medically retired from the Army after sustaining wounds from a mortar round.

The men he took fishing remain his military family. “It’s a way to continue to serve.”

Despite a lackluster rockfish season from the cool spring temperatures, Spence said it doesn’t matter. “Fishing is fishing. It doesn’t matter if we catch anything. Any day fishing is a good day.”

Mark Garriss, who served with Spence in the National Guard, brought his boat out and served as a guide. “I’m just helping my buddy out,” he said, “and being a part of this.”

Edwards didn’t serve but when Spence approached him with the idea he saw it as a way to show his appreciation. “It’s just the friendship. These guys are awesome.”

The wounded veterans, all Purple Heart recipients, stay at Edwards’ hunting lodge and the day began with a turkey hunt.  “We give them a good time. This is not for us.”

Gunther snaps a photo of Edwards.

The organization

Dixon Gunther is the COO of Wounded Warriors in Action, a foundation started by Lieutenant Colonel John McDaniel in 2007.

McDaniel, Gunther explained, was passionate about the outdoors and passionate about his country.

The organization this year will help 186 wounded veterans in 25 states through 48 events.

“I think the biggest thing is to see how it changes the guys’ lives. For some of the heroes, returning to normalcy, hunting and fishing, that’s where you get your mind right and your first opportunity to make peace with that.”

It is often their first opportunity to talk to other combat wounded veterans and for some it’s their first opportunity to hunt and fish. “I’ve been on these when the guys kill their first deer,” Gunther said.

Gornto is ready to go fishing.

Two veterans

Paul Hadley, who comes from the state of Washington and lives in Fort Bragg, said the opportunity was exciting.

He was appreciative of Edwards’ hospitality. “He opened up his hunting lodge and everything he had to us.”

The turkey hunting experience was different. “I felt like I was on a TV show. I got to see two gobblers.”

The entire experience has been good for him after being shot in the chest and going through three surgeries and a blood transfusion. “Coming here is helping. It’s an escape from reality. The reality is I’m a wounded soldier.”

While the road to recovery hasn’t been easy, Hadley said he sees soldiers in far worse condition than himself. “It means a lot that they are out there,” he said of the foundation.

Justin Gornto, of Sanford, was injured during a combat mission in Afghanistan.

The experience, he said, “Has been awesome. I’ve never turkey hunted. I learned how to use a turkey call.”

Gornto said the efforts help him. “It gets me away from life. I really have no worries right now.”