HOME OF the Wounded Warrior "HUNT OF A LIFETIME". WSR has an annual donated hunt for a Wounded Warrior we call "Hunt of a Lifetime." We offer a 200" class fully loaded 3 day hunt to honor our wounded warriors and those who gave their lives to protect our nation. We also have made arrangements with ROGER RAGLIN OUTDOOR TV show on the OUTDOOR CHANNEL to film and guide the hunt. We are asking for donations to give to the WW Hunter during his hunt to outfit this hunter with everything he /she needs to hunt for the rest of their lives. If you are interested in donating ATV's, Hunting Gear, Rifle, Binoculars, etc. PLEASE CONTACT US TODAY.
WSR Hunt of a Lifetime recipient, Joshua Rountree
My name is Joshua Rountree and I served almost 9 years in the US Army. I enlisted in the Army during High School and left for basic soon after graduation. I served my entire enlistment in the Infantry (2-5 CAV, 1CD). During my career, I have been deployed to Iraq twice. My first deployment was in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq and my second was in Abu Ghraib District of Baghdad, Iraq. Upon discharge, I left at the rank of Staff Sergeant (E6).
I have been married to my wife, Leigh Rountree for 14 years and have been together for about 16 years. We have 2 children, Gage: 7 years old and Everleigh: 19 months. I currently work for the City of Wylie Texas as a Police Officer.
On April 4, 2004 (my first deployment), I was deployed to Sadr city, Baghadad, Iraq. Shortly after arriving in theater, my unit was ambushed. After losing 8 of my friends and family “in the first day,” we found ourselves in the biggest firefight, since the fall of Baghdad. After suffering over 60 wounded in the first few days, we remained in sustained combat for the next 6 months.
On November 29, 2006 (my second deployment), I was on patrol with my platoon, in the out skirts of Baghdad. I was the vehicle commander. My driver was Specialist Michael Burke. My gunner was Specialist Theodore “Coty” West. We were conducting assessments in the area, when our patrol based took indirect fire (rocket). Command advised of the area that the indirect fire came from and asked us to “check it out.” Upon leaving the area, my vehicle was struck by 3 120mm mortar rounds “IED” that was buried under the road. The blast threw our up-armored vehicle into the air and fortunately landed back on its tires (well, what was left of the vehicle). The blast sustained, instantly killed my gunner (West) and wounded myself and Spc. Burke. Burke and West were air medevac from blast site. I was transported by ground to the patrol base, where I was air evac to the Combat Support Hospital in the Green Zone.
I don’t really remember the entire incident. Doctors believe I sustained my Traumatic Brain Injury from the blast its self and being thrown into the up-armored door. Due to the swelling in my brain, I was paralyzed. Not knowing if the brain would heal itself, I was told, I could be paralyzed for the rest of my life. I remember coming to and telling medical staff to “don’t call my wife.” They advised, “it was too late, they have already been informed.” I remember being extremely mad and upset, having missed seeing, “West’s Angel Flight” and not being able to say “Good bye”. I fought like “hell” to stay in country and complete my rehab there. Not knowing if my family would understand, I continued to fight to stay in country. I was fortunately able to stay inside the wire at the Battalion Command Post and continue to be an asset to my company as a liaison. I have seen a lot of things, during my deployment and I have felt a lot of different emotions. Losing West has been one of the most hardest things I have ever attempted to over come. I constantly try to fix the wrong of me surviving. I live everyday, trying to be deserving of surviving. I became a Paramedic upon discharge and worked 5 years as doing so. Longing for the same feeling, I got while serving with my brothers. I decided to join the Police Force.
