The seventh annual Wounded Warrior Retreat (WWR) quail hunt at Lamar Smith’s farm near Collins, Georgia, drew a record crowd, as more than 70 people, including wounded warriors and supporters, who came out to enjoy and support the event on Saturday morning, February 7, 2026. About fifteen wounded warriors and some of their family members took part in the hunt, and over fifty supporters and boosters came out to support them.
Preparations for the hunt have been in the works for about two months, and the day for the hunt could not have been more perfect. When the VFW 7764 cooking crew, including Gene Williams, Trace Simmons, Wayne Campbell, Billy Morgan, Ronnie McCall, Joe Boyett, Gina Hall, Don Bentley, and Mary Harley arrived at 4 a.m. to fire up Gene Williams’ big smoker/grill, the temperature was hovering around 39 degrees with a light wind from the Northwest. The group put on 28 racks of pork ribs about 5 a.m. and sat close to the cooker to stay out of the wind.
Guides and participants began to filter in around 7 a.m., and a good crowd of about 40 people were present for breakfast provided by Southern Flair Catering of Reidsville. A Southern style breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, SOS, and biscuits with plenty of coffee and orange juice started the day off.
A short devotional for hunters, guides, and interested supporters was provided by the Reverend Matt Brady of Eastside Baptist Church in Claxton at 8:45 a.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by VFW Quartermaster Ronnie Thomas, and VFW Adjutant Billy Morgan provided a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. During those two parts of the program, Ryan Davis, a U.S. Army veteran from Richmond Hill, who lost both legs and his right arm during service in the Middle East, stood up in his wheelchair with support from his Army buddy, Donavan Gerber, and saluted the huge American Flag suspended on Lamar Smith’s grain bin, located just South of the farmhouse. It was one of the high moments of the day for those who witnessed his patriotism and determination. At about 9:30, Sheriff Kyle Sapp provided a safety meeting to remind hunters to keep weapon safeties on at all times, maintain gun muzzle control, and fingers off the trigger until ready to shoot. Around 9:45, five teams of guides and hunters left the staging area to fan out across brooms edge fields and pine woods behind beautiful teams of birddogs, including Brittanys, GSPs, and English Setters.
Guides included Casey and Coa Corbett, Ray James and Clay Trim, Terry Carter, Keith Barnard, Matt and Ethan Brady, and Josh Dunn from North Carolina.
Wounded Warrior hunters included Ruben Payne, Army, Iraq; Chris Castle, Army, Iraq; Eli Manning, Army, Iraq; Jody McCarty and his wife, Hannah, Marines, Iraq; Sean Falcon, Army, Afghanistan; Jerry, Cowart, Army, Middle East; Jason Durrence, Army, Middle East; James McKean, Army; Ryan Davis, Army, Middle East; Donavan Gerber, Army, Middle East; Jackie Trim, Marines, Vietnam; John Wingate, Army, Vietnam; Danny Dickey, Army, Middle East; and Bob Hampton, WWR Board Member.
Success on the hunt varied with some hunters shooting well while others struggled some. Dog work across the board was really good. Enthusiasm was high, and the weather was beautiful.
Guides Ray James and Clay Trim had the honor of guiding the two oldest and the most severely wounded warriors. Jackie Trim, a well-known local Purple Heart recipient who was a Marine Corps tunnel rat in Viet Nam, and John Wingate, who was severely wounded in 1968 and spent 13 months in Walter Reed Hospital while undergoing 31 surgeries, was joined by U.S. Army Ranger Ryan Davis and his Ranger buddy, Donavan Gerber. As mentioned earlier, Ryan lost both legs and his right arm in combat. Trim and Wingate were highly complementary of Ryan, and his determination to pursue his passion for hunting or other areas in his life impressed them. Trim said that Ryan was just unbelievable, and John Wingate said he had never enjoyed an WWR quail hunt more. Obviously, Ryan was one of the reasons John and Jackie enjoyed it so much.
Guide Ray James said that guiding those three wounded warriors was the most fun he’d ever had behind birddogs. “It was an absolute honor,” he said. “I’d do it again tomorrow and the next day.”
The teams were back at the farmhouse by noontime and took a group photo that included all but three guides and five hunters, who were searching for a lost flushing dog. The dog was found.
Bill Kicklighter, Chairman of the Tattnall County Commissioners, Reidsville Mayor Vicky Nail, and longtime supporter of VFW 7764 Brad Anderson, ate lunch and mingled with warriors and guides. All agreed it was an honor.
Post 7764’s smoked ribs, and Susan Thomas’ delicious sides and desserts made everyone a little lazy after lunch, but more energetic shooters participated in a clay’s competition at Lamar Smith’s shooting house. Jody McCarty finished first ($125 gift card), Chris Castle was second ($125 gift card), and James McKean was third ($100 gift card).
It was a good day. WWR President Terry Reynolds and Vice President Richard Driggers thoroughly enjoyed the event. “This is what we do,” Terry said.
Richard said Jackie Trim, John Wingage, and Ryan Davis made his day.
Lamar Smith was thinking ahead. “This was the best quail hunt yet, and we’ll make it better next year,” he said. Here’s looking to 2027.
