The Country Club of Little Rock became a "testosteroom" the night of May 12 for Darby's Warrior Support group's second annual Salute Our Warriors benefit.
The all-male event raised between $30,000 and $40,000 for the faith-based nonprofit that provides four-day intensive duck-hunting experiences for active-duty soldiers, about 70 percent of whom have been wounded in battle, said Carl Lewis, a member of the group's board of directors.
The fellas gathered for a hearty cocktail hour, then sat for a dinner featuring filet of beef tenderloin crusted with Gorgonzola, charred tomato chutney and Chianti demi-glace; horseradish mashed potatoes; and baby vegetable melange. Between 140 and 145 men attended.
Guest speaker was retired Col. Art Kandarian of Chicago, senior vice president of business development at Combined Insurance. Kandarian is a member of the Darby's Warrior Support Founders Group.
On the duck-hunting trips, soldiers pay only for their state and federal duck stamps -- about $105 -- the support group picks up the cost of their transportation, clothes, meals and weaponry. In the last two years, more than 120 warriors have stayed at Darby's two hunting lodges, which are about 70 miles apart.
"We just bring them in and feed them and let them talk among themselves and find out that they're not the only [ones] who are having problems," Lewis said. The organization -- named for Col. William O. Darby, a heroic Arkansan who was killed in action during WWII -- also provides support to the Ranger Scholarship Fund.
High Profile on 05/29/2016