[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 113 (Tuesday, July 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              IN RECOGNITION OF THE COMBAT MARINE OUTDOORS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2011

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a great American 
hero and the exceptional organization he founded--the Combat Marine 
Outdoors--which exists to serve our severely wounded Marines, soldiers, 
airmen, and sailors with unique and extraordinary opportunities to 
participate in outdoor hunting and fishing excursions. As we all know, 
behind every great endeavor there is a great personality. In this case, 
that great personality, that person of extraordinary character, is 
United States Marine Corps Colonel Alan Orr.
  Colonel Orr, while a solid Marine Corps Artillery officer (and in 
full disclosure my former battalion commander), is a special man whose 
love for our Marines, sailors and soldiers extends from the front lines 
of battle to the hospitals where our wounded warriors recover, and most 
exceptionally, to life past the battlefield. Extending beyond the 
stifling halls of military hospitals and recovery barracks, Colonel 
Orr, along with a group of dedicated hunters, ranch owners and 
patriots, have reinstilled our wounded heroes to the realization that 
excitement, adventure and Teddy Roosevelt's ``Strenuous Life'' doesn't 
end with their service wounds.
  In 2005, Combat Marine Outdoors founding members Colonel Orr, Rusty 
Hicks, Master Gunnery Sergeant Arturo Garcia and my father, former 
Congressman Duncan L. Hunter, visited wounded Marines from the 1st 
Marine Division at Brooke Army Medical Center. None were strangers to 
what they saw--they witnessed the full impact of war injuries. But it 
was their actions that made all the difference. They responded by 
creating an organization that would not only accelerate the recovery 
process, but restore hope in our servicemen and women.
  In collaboration with thousands of contributors and over 50 ranches, 
the Combat Marine Outdoors has provided well over 200 wounded veterans 
from Balboa Hospital to Walter Reed with the opportunity to hunt and 
fish, often at a once-in-a-lifetime adventure location, such as the Two 
Dot Ranch and the Y.O. Ranch in Texas. These outdoor experiences on 
ranches, bays and lakes foster the opportunity to engage in a 
challenging experience that promotes teamwork and camaraderie. In many 
cases, these excursions facilitated a turning point in emotional 
recovery through a challenging experience that helps our wounded 
military men and women regain confidence through a sense of 
accomplishment.
  A story then: a United States Marine wounded in combat, blinded, with 
both legs amputated. He sits in Brooke Army Medical Center in San 
Antonio, Texas, waiting to recover and wondering what his future holds. 
For a weekend, he is taken by Colonel Orr and his band of patriots to 
an American treasure, the Texas Ranch. In the great outdoors, this 
blind, double amputee is, amazingly, guided by Colonel Orr and 
successfully shoots a big game animal. The excitement and feeling of 
accomplishment and the outdoors is no less real for this Marine for the 
fact that he cannot see his trophy. He has lived the hunt and is more 
alive for it.
  While many people, myself included, make the effort to show our 
veterans our appreciation, whether hunting elk in Colorado or deep sea 
fishing in San Diego, the exceptional few transition good intentions 
and singular acts of compassion into a systematic execution of true 
benevolent action. Colonel Orr is the consummate professional, more 
versed in the art of artillery than any officer I have ever known. But 
his impact is immeasurable when he takes one of our country's greatest 
treasures and returns the excitement of ``living life'' to him. That is 
the beauty of what Colonel Orr has accomplished through Combat Marine 
Outdoors.
  Mr. Speaker, most Americans will never know the pain and discomfort 
of combat, or what those who bear the scars of war feel when the smoke 
clears and they return home. But when they do return, what we can do 
beyond providing the care that restores the highest quality of life and 
self-reliance is to open doors that give new meaning, encouragement and 
excitement to those who were willing to sacrifice everything so that we 
can stay safe. This is what Combat Marine Outdoors is all about.
  As a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I am pleased to 
support the mission and service of the Combat Marine Outdoors for our 
wounded service personnel, and I am honored to have served with Colonel 
Alan Orr, a man who not only epitomizes military discipline, but exudes 
a steady compassion and love for our young warriors through a life of 
service above self. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this 
exceptional organization and the exceptional man who started it.

                          ____________________