Talladega, AL – August 6, 2021 - Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) and The Independence Fund (TIF) conducted a joint event to host nine Army and Marine Corps veterans for two days of pistol training and shooting a steel challenge match. The event was held at the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) Talladega Marksmanship Park in Talladega, AL. The park is 500 acres of world-class shooting facilities in all disciplines.

“The HAVA and TIF Team worked hard to put on a big-time match for these warriors,” said Chris Fleming, HAVA Events Manager. “I find the shooting community a great place to find comradery and friendship that mimics my experience in the Marine Corps. We trained, played, ate well, and had an amazing prize table for our honored guests provided by many great sponsors, all of whom stepped up to offer a truly first-class event. The smiles and friendships created will last a lifetime.”

“HAVA and TIF are both charitable organizations focused on assisting veterans and their families. It’s so easy for these two organizations to join forces for this event and others, as both share the same goal - to help veterans, period” said Tom Taylor, HAVA, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board.

In addition to the match, the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park offered event participants a special opportunity to shoot a side match with a classic rifle that contributed significantly to increasing Army and Marine Corps combat capabilities in World War II…the M1 Garand. General George Patton called the M1 Garand “the greatest battle implement ever devised” and shooting the M1 may have provided these Soldiers and Marines a connection to that past.

Army veteran Bedalina Rosario expressed her gratitude for HAVA and TIF’s joint team effort, “words can't express the gratitude and appreciation I experienced this weekend. I simply want to say thank you!”

Support for this joint event was provided by: Pro Shooters KC Eusebio, Travis Gibson, Chris Barrett, CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park, Glock, Taurus, Yamaha Outdoors, MGM Targets, Sig Sauer, A Girl and a Gun and Pizza and Pew [because pizza fuels fun!].

Bedalina Rosario, veteran and event participant, holds an M1 Garand she won in the event’s raffle, the same gun CMP Marksmanship Park provided for event participants to shoot.

Event participants, volunteers, and sponsor staff members gather to mark completion of a fun two-day event. New skills learned, old skills renewed, and new friendships made during HAVA and TIF’s pistol training and match hosted at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park.

About HAVA

HAVA is a 501(c)3 organization formed by companies in the shooting and outdoor industry with the purpose of raising awareness and further assisting disabled veterans with their healing process through guided hunts, shooting events and other outdoor sports activities. The sustaining sponsor companies are Smith & Wesson, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), SIG SAUER, Academi, Arnold Defense, Crimson Trace, E3 Training, FMG Publications, GLOCK, Hornady, Leapers/UTG, Leupold & Stevens, Mossberg, National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), Operation Hat Trick, RSR Group, Ruger, Savage, Surefire, Taurus, Vista Outdoor/Federal, XS Sights, and Yamaha Outdoors among numerous contributing companies. To learn more about HAVA, go to: www.honoredveterans.org.

About The Independence Fund

Founded in 2007, The Independence Fund (501c3) is committed to empowering our nation’s catastrophically wounded, injured, or ill Veterans to overcome physical, mental, and emotional wounds incurred in the line of duty. The Independence Fund is dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans and their families by providing tangible impact. Through the Fund’s Mobility, Caregiver, Adaptive Sports, Advocacy, Suicide Prevention, Family, and Crisis Relief programs, The Independence Fund strives to bridge the gap of unmet needs for Veterans and their caregivers. The Independence Fund believes in fairness and equality for all veterans and families irrespective of race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation, and will continue to uphold these American values.

Media Contact: Kim Cahalan 309-944-5341 or kim@mediadirectcreative.com