HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Diamante Country Club was bustling with activity April 20 as the Arkansas Freedom Fund sponsored its fifth annual Freedom Golf Scramble.
Sixty-four teams, or approximately 250 golfers, and 26 wounded veterans, or “warriors,” signed up for the event. The scramble is a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, which supports veterans, particularly those who live in Arkansas. Mark Leonard of Bryant, AFF director,
said more than $37,000 was raised to help the state’s veterans.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson attended the event, making his way through the crowd, stopping to shake hands and visit with some of the veterans. He addressed the golfers before the afternoon tee-off time.
“I wanted to come down here on this beautiful Monday just to show appreciation to the veterans of our state — those that have served our country so heroically and sacrificially. I also wanted to express my appreciation to all the volunteers today that are putting a lot of hours in to make this happen,” Hutchinson said.
“Arkansas has 250,000 veterans. … That’s probably one of the most important responsibilities as a governor to make sure we have a strong department of veterans affairs,” he said.
“We’ve got a new leadership there. We’ve got to complete the veterans home in Little Rock …,” Hutchinson said. “We’ve got to make sure the federal government and our state does all that it can to make sure our veterans are appreciated, recognized for the service they provide. …
“You have kept our country safe, you have preserved our freedom. I salute you, and God bless you.”
Leonard said AFF’s goal is “to assist our veterans to get stronger, go faster and not be a statistic of loss or failure. If they can dream it, we want to help it.”
Leonard, a retired Air Force disabled veteran, said AFF was incorporated in September 2010 for the purpose of raising funds and providing support for wounded veterans and their families who reside, primarily, in Arkansas. Leonard also has a full-time job — he is a computer programmer at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.
Army veteran Randy Hays of Bryant was one of the first veterans seen outside near the golf course. He was there with his caregiver and fellow veteran, Mike Holmes of Bryant, and another friend and fellow veteran, Kevin Cooper of Traskwood.
Hays served tours of duty in Germany and during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He returned to Georgia, where he was injured in a car wreck that left him with brain damage and unable to take care of himself.
“A Georgia pine tree and I got in a fight at 60 mph,” Hays said.
In addition to attending the golf scramble, Hays has participated in other Arkansas Freedom Fund activities, including a 17-mile bicycle ride and a deer hunt.
“I’ve been out there today as a spectator,” Hays said, adding, “I am a golfer. The Arkansas Freedom Fund has been good to me.”
Holmes said he became involved with AFF about two years ago.
“I don’t get involved so much in the activities,” he said. “I stand in the background and help Mark with whatever needs to be done.
“My wife, Sandy, is also involved. We live in Bryant with Randy and take care of him 24/7.”
Holmes said he retired from the Navy and now suffers from a bad back and knees.
“I was on a ship my whole career,” Holmes said. “But of all the jobs I’ve had, I get the most satisfaction and fulfillment from working for Randy. He’s a great guy, and he wants to be involved in everything.
“The Arkansas Freedom Fund wants to see that disabled vets get help. They gave Randy his bike last year. It’s amazing how generous people are. Every dime [Leonard] collects is accounted for and goes to the veterans.”
The Arkansas Freedom Fund gave Hays a recumbent bike and also provided him with a motorized wheelchair during the golf scramble.
Leonard said AFF provides several kinds of bikes to veterans who want to ride, including hand trikes, tadpoles and recumbent bikes, hybrid road bikes, road bikes, lifestyle bikes, performance bikes and mountain bikes.
AFF will sponsor the Arkansas Challenge Bike Ride on Oct. 10 in Little Rock. In addition to bike rides, the organization also sponsors the Freedom Anglers for those who enjoy fishing and the Freedom Hunters for those who like to hunt. The organization has recently started a hiking program as well.
Cooper said he became involved with the Arkansas Freedom Fund about three years ago.
“I served during [Operation] Iraqi Freedom and [Operation] Enduring Freedom, but in Iraq. I received a medical discharge and now suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). After I got out, I had spinal stenosis and was not able to stand straight up,” he said.
“The Lord has been my saving grace. I started riding a bicycle. Sitting around did nothing but make me feel sorry for myself. I had heard about cycling and bought a cheap bicycle,” Cooper said.
“I went to Riders Ready [Bicycles] in Bryant, and they told me about AFF. I called them, made an appointment, and they gave me a nice new bicycle,” he said.
“I started cycling last year and have lost 35 pounds,” Cooper said. “Now I ride for charity, especially for kids with cancer.
“I also come and help at events like this. My physical life is a lot better. I am glad I can now stand up straight and help out.”
Charlie Simpson of Malvern served in the 173rd Airborne Division in Vietnam.
“In 1969, there was an explosion, and I lost my legs,” Simpson said during a brief visit following lunch.
“I found out about the
Arkansas Freedom Fund during a visit to the Veterans Administration outpatient clinic in Hot Springs. I called the number, and the rest is history,” he said.
“I talked with Mark, and the next thing I knew, I had a bike that I could pedal with my hands. I plan to take part in the Freedom Ride in October,” Simpson said.
“Coming to events like this gets you out of the house and gets you around comrades. You can talk to other veterans,” he said.
“This organization is all about the veterans,” Simpson said. “They really take care of you. I encourage any veteran to look into the Arkansas Freedom Fund.
“The veterans don’t have to do anything. There is no pressure. Just come in and talk.”
John Matthews of Hot Springs Village and Clyde Shirron of Hot Springs are co-chairmen of the annual golf scramble. Matthews’ wife, Sylvia, is treasurer of the AFF Board of Directors.
Sylvia Matthews is also recording secretary of the Arkansas State Society Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of Akansa Chapter, DAR, in Hot Springs Village. Through her efforts, both the local DAR chapter and the state DAR society are now sponsors of the Arkansas Freedom Fund.
For more information on the Arkansas Freedom Fund, visit www.arkansasfreedomfund.org or call (501) 517-5338.