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Attached picture is Brian with his wife and 5 year old son!

Brian Woliver – WWIA Warrior/Hero and Combat Wounded, Purple Heart Recipient My name is Brian Woliver and I am from Kingsport, TN, born and raised. After high school graduation in 2004 I did a semester of community college here at home. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew there was something else in this world bigger for me to do. I was young, very athletic and loved the outdoors. So I enlisted November 2005 and went to Paris Island, SC. I was assigned to 3rd Battalion 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC. I was finally home. I couldn't have asked for a better group of individuals to be with. My unit deployed to Iraq in January of 2007. We started in Habbaniyah, then did a push in Ramadi, but spent a majority of the deployment in Fallujah. All in the AL Anbar Province. On the deployment, while riding in the lead vehicle , my vehicle was hit by a large Improvised Explosive Device. As a result, I ruptured my ear drum and have a traumatic brain injury. I received a Purple Heart for wounds received in country. After coming back home my symptoms got worse and it got out of control. I started having seizures, passing out, memory loss, speech problems, etc. After being in a wounded battalion for a year, I was medically retired and sent home. I am one blessed individual. Even with everything going on, an amazing woman looked past my faults and loved me regardless of how I felt about myself. Now, I am married to this amazing woman and we have a soon to be 5 year old son. I would have never met my wife if that day in Iraq had not happened. The roller- coaster of symptoms will always be there and I will continue to push through and succeed. I have a saying that came to me one day during a slump and has stuck with me since. I'm pretty sure I made this up, but I keep it in mind when life is tough. "Life is a rocky road, full of obstacles and even though it's overwhelming I have to push, because ALL roads lead somewhere. " That may sound silly, but has struck a chord in my heart and is how I live my life.

Derek Duplisea – WWIA Associate and Combat Wounded, Purple Heart Recipient

Derek was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1971 and soon after moved with his family to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Derek graduated from Fredericton High School in 1990 and served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves from 1989 to 1993 as an Infantryman and left the Canadian Armed Forces as a Corporal when he enlisted in the United States Army as a 19D Cavalry Scout December, 1993.

PFC Derek Duplisea graduated top of his class while attending 19D OSUT training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky April, 1994. He then attended the Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, graduated and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion (Airborne) 73rd Armor Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where he served proudly as a U.S. Paratrooper with the free world's only airborne armor unit.

CPL Derek Duplisea complete his initial 3 years with the U.S. Army honorably and returned home to New Brunswick, Canada and attended his 2d year of college at St. Thomas University in Fredericton and re- joined his old Canadian Army unit, B Company, 1st Battalion Royal New Brunswick Regiment.

A year and a half later, Derek decided to once again raise his right hand and re-enlisted in the U.S. Army for a second tour, again as a 19D Cavalry Scout. This time he left the Canadian Armed Forces as a Master Corporal and Infantry Section Commander.

In May of 1998, Derek was assigned to 2-8 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas. Derek and his unit, HHC's Scout Platoon, deployed to Operation Joint Forge in support of operations in the former Yugoslavia's Bosnia-Herzegovina for 6 months.

Following a 2 year stint with 1CD, SGT Derek Duplisea was assigned to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command and completed a 3 year detailed Army Recruiting tour in Bellingham, Washington. SSG Duplisea was a distinguished and successful recruiter, earning the coveted U.S. Army Recruiter Gold Ring in less than 3 years.

SSG Derek Duplisea was then assigned to the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Derek literally left his job as a recruiter and was shipped straight into Iraq, joining Ghost Troop, 2/2 ACR in combat operations in Sadr City, Baghdad. Derek was then assigned as the senior scout for Green Platoon and completed his time in country with honor, bringing all of his men home in April, 2004. A few months later as the Army reconfigured, Derek was assigned to the famed 101st Airborne Division located at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.

SSG Duplisea was assigned to 1-32 CAV (RSTA) and soon deployed to his 2d tour in Iraq with the 1BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) - again as a senior scout with Blackhorse Troop. Derek was then promoted to Sergeant First Class and took over as the platoon sergeant for 2d platoon, Able Troop with 3 months remaining in the deployment. One week before coming home on a right-seat-ride dismounted patrol, Derek's platoon was hit by a female suicide bomber followed by a complex attack. The blast detonated within feet of the dismounted members of the platoon, severely wounding Derek, his second in command (fellow associate Brad Alexander), two of his Soldiers and the relieving Company XO.

Derek spent the next two years recovering from his extreme injuries.

In July, 2008 SFC Derek Duplisea medically retired from the U.S. Army and started his civilian career with Booz Allen Hamilton as an IED Defeat SME for the XVIII Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. After a few months, Derek accepted a position with Raytheon Company in Tucson, Arizona as their Wounded Warrior Liaison/Community Relations Representative for Armed Services Support and served there for nearly 5 years. Derek accepted a regional director position with a veteran service organization and recently decided to take a long deserved break from work to spend more time with his family and to raise his son, Aiden.

Derek earned numerous commendations, medals and achievements during his 13 years in the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat 16 August, 2006.

Derek also holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice, along with a BS in Criminal Justice- both earned while on Active Duty from Troy University. He also completed his MBA at the University of Phoenix- Tucson November 2011.

Derek is married to his Canadian sweetheart Andrea, has three wonderful daughters (Lilly, Mackenzie and Gracie) and loves to spend his free time traveling, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and hanging out with his Boston terrier Blue, his yellow lab Sydney and his Chinese Crested Terrier Harriett.

Thank you,

If you make a donation please add a post! Thanks!

Here's how to do it, click on the link, click on donation tab, fill in credit card info them in the "COMMENTS SECTION" write. "Manitoba Bear Hunt, BearTack Outfitters."

The organization we are coordinating with is www.wwiaf.org they are not affiliated in any way with WWP. Their sole mission is to provide hunting & fishing trips for Purple Heart recipients. Fantastic Mission! They match the hunt with the Wounded Warrior.

THANKS! Charlie

Way to go Charlie!!!!!

Best of luck Brian and Derek. Thank you for your service!

Scouts Out!

Did you guys notice from his bio that Derek has dual citizenship with Canada and also served in the Canadian army? We have so many Canadians on Bowsite and since this hunt will take place in Canada I thought it was cool to have a dual US/Canadian Wounded Warrior! C

Ron, rings true for you as well. If you need a hand with anything at all getting ready for these heroes while I'm in camp just say the word and I'll gladly do what I can and would consider it an honor!

If any of you are or know a Purple Heart recipient that may want to go on a trip like this they can register and state their desired dream hunt.

www.WWIAF.org

Hope you get a nice bear!

Thanks to all vets!

Most of all...Thank you to Brian and Derek. Thank you for your service and amazing sacrifice. You both are true heroes.

I hope you both have a great hunt. In fact, I know you will since I hunted with Ron last year. Can't wait to read about the hunt on Bowsite!

You will feel good! Thanks!

May Brian and Derek have a hunt they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Thank you both for your service and sacrifices.

Thanks to all that make this happen! Charlie, your the man!

You guys, sponsors and folks like Ron and Jeannine with BearTrack do the "heavy lifting"!! THANKS!

We had a great first week of fund raising. Please if you can any amount of $10 or more can be directed to this specific hunt. In the Comments Section write, " Manitoba Bear Hunt"

LINK Attached! THANKS!

Spoke to Brian the other day as he turned 30. Says he feels a lot older than that sometimes and even though his recovery is still going on 9 years after he says he would do it again!

He views this as his "hunt of a lifetime" and is so excited. THANKS to all you guys helping. C

Thanks Charlie for making this so easy!

Best of luck to both Brian and Derek on their hunts!

Kevin

Picture attached is our Wounded Warrior Hero!

Link to donate is attached! Go to donations tab and in comment section write "For BearTrack Manitoba Bear hunt"!!

Thanks all!!

Brotsky/All: One additional shout out to Doug and Julue McMann who own Skinner Creek Outfitters in BC. They are also Bowsite Sponsors and the first week in June will be hosting their 5th consecutive Wounded Warrior Bear hunt. Doug was very helpful in introducing us to the Wounded Warrior In Action Foundation to get this going on Bowsite.

Many folks are contributing in many ways and every bit is appreciated. Thank you Bowsite Community! C

Bear Track, these boys will have one heck of a hunt to remember thanks to you and the donations everyone is putting forward. Thanks for sharing!