Wounded Warrior River Run held near Dora for wounded veterans from across U.S.

A group of 15 wounded veterans and six children got a taste of the real Ozarks when they traveled to Dora. The group floated, hunted, fished, rode ATVs and horses and otherwise enjoyed the five-day Wounded Warrior River Run retreat organized and led in part by Don Hamby, former pastor of the Family Life Church in Dora (Don’s son Zak succeeded his father, becoming pastor at the church this spring.)

“We have a relationship with Dave Roever and the Roever Foundation,” Don told the Times, referring to the Vietnam war veteran and evangelist who made a miraculous comeback after sustaining life-threatening injuries in the war. “The past few years he has focused on the great need to support vets and their families with PTSD, recovery from wounds and other problems related to re-entering public life after experiencing the war.”

This is the third year that Hamby has partnered with Roever to offer the Warrior River Run and the first year that allowed vets to bring their children. 

The Roever Foundation has a relationship with the veterans chosen for the trip and provides transportation from their homes, many in other states, to Dora and back. 

This year’s event featured 15 veterans and six children. Although past retreats have included all men, four women chose to participate in this year’s event. 

Family Life Church of Dora and Westside Family Life Center of Willow Springs collaborate to provide outdoor activities for the veterans and children.

“…to immerse [them] in the beautiful Ozarks, and I mean that literally for some,” Hamby said. 

A life-changing experience

This year Hamby led a group of eight on a three-day float trip on the Current River. The floating and camping were exceptional, and the group bonded through the experience. 

“Two flipped a canoe, and one lost a wallet. He concluded that there wasn’t anything in it irreplaceable, and he was overwhelmed with the commitment his comrades showed in trying to recover his wallet,” Hamby said.

While the floaters were on the Current River, the remainder of the participants stayed at base camp at Rainbow Springs near Dora experiencing Ozark County’s outdoors in other ways. 

“One of the children killed a deer with a bow. Several of the adults and children caught rainbow trout out of the spring. They also floated on the North Fork [River] in kayaks and canoes and rode ATVs,” Hamby said. 

The group all came back together on Oct. 8, at Rainbow Springs for a community potluck and fish fry. 

Live music was provided by Marty and Patti Elmore of West Plains, and Roever spoke to the group. 

The next day, the group split into two with some going to Dora and others visiting Willow Springs. They reconvened for another potluck lunch that afternoon and later were invited on an unplanned moonlit horseback ride. 

“They loved the experience and getting to do things they’ve never done or haven’t done in a long time,” Hamby said. “They continually refer to the peace and serenity and were amazed at the warm reception given by the local people. Many say it is a life-changing experience.”

Hamby says that veterans this year were from Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, Arkansas, Arizona, Tennessee and Louisiana. One attendee served in Vietnam and the others served in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Don is quick to say that he isn’t the lone force behind the event, and that it takes a lot of community involvement. 

“We had a host of volunteers take time off of work to make this event happen,” Don said.”We are also thankful for Shelby and Sheree Nold, caretakers of Rainbow Springs, for welcoming the veterans and all of us to their beautiful location.”

Choosing life

What fuels Hamby to participate in the annual wounded veterans retreats?

“It’s the love of Christ that compels me and others to do what we do for the veterans. That same love [shared] in our community… imparted to [the veterans] helps them with their recovery,” he explained. “Twenty-two veterans per day commit suicide. Anything I can do to combat that is worthwhile. We have had some in the past tell us that the river run and experience gave them a reason to live.” 

The retreats focus on encouraging the veterans to see the beauty in everyday life. 

“We focus on life in the water and the many springs we visit. As a theme, I encourage them to choose life. I like sharing the river with everyone, but it is especially rewarding when you get a time to share all of your struggles around a campfire in the beautiful creation we live in,” he said. 

Hamby plans to transition into a different role for future retreats, hoping to still participate but allow someone else to lead the events.

“I personally will hand off the planning and administration to the younger ones… At my age, I don’t want to cross any more Ts or dot any more Is than I have to,” he explained.

But he says he still plans to be there each year, likely sitting in the rear of a canoe, helping steer another wounded veteran away from dark times, allowing the cold, clear water of an Ozarks river to soothe away troubles in a way that only it can.