A northern Californian group called the Veteran Sportsman Alliance and organization run by Brett Johnson his son Austin and the brain child of his daughter Cheyanne, along with a number of other organizations honored U.S. Marine Corp, First Sergeant Ryan Leighton over this weekend, presenting him with a pig hunting opportunity and a rifle.
First Sergeant Ryan Leighton serves in the U.S. Marine Corp, and has 3 tours in Iraq followed by 2 in Afganistan on his last deployment, his helicopter crashed, and he suffered back and leg injuries, and is currently deployed in San Deigo, although his home town is New Orleans.
The various groups met together, and as a cavalcade went to meet Sgt Leighton at San Jose airport, (currently stationed in San Diego), forming a honor guard complete with flags at the exit of the terminal. (see slide show) The honor guard comprised of veterans themselves, all members of the Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders and Warrior Watch Rides. The following members of these groups were in the honor guard; Mark 'Rightwing' Zappa (Ride Captain) PGR, Dennis 'RC Panak' Panerio (Assistant Ride Captain) PGR, Al Rock PGR, Tom Lewis PGR, Reno Santana WWR, Mark 'Heck' Heckenlaibe PGR, Glenn Boyd PGR, Mortaa Southard ALR, Gregg Trapp PGR, Debbie Peevyhouse PGR, Cliff Bruner PGR South Valley Flag Brigade, Craig Morgan (Ride Captain) PGR, and Purinid Caseu.
Accompanying the group was Brett's daughter Cheyanne who was also going to hunt with her bow for deer (A zone archery being open) and pig.
The entire cavalcade escorted Sgt Leighton who was riding in the VSA jeep to a clothing store in Cupertino who had donated a $200 gift certificate, then on to Templar Sports in Los Gatos to see the rifle that they had donated. This rifle had been airbrushed complete with Sgt Leighton's name on the barrel, USMC, VSA, Templar Arms and Mcgrew Guide Service logos on the stock, and a sling woven in parachute cord in U.S. Marine Corp colors, a real work of art (see slide show). Templar Sports is a fishing and gunstore, and manufacturer of AR style firearms and accessories.
Next the 13 bikes and 4 Jeeps and pickups escorted Sgt Leighton to Hollister for the hunt.
The hunt in part donated by Matt McGrew's guiding service. Matt guides for pig, deer, and upland game on several ranches in the Hollister area, with an area exceeding 100,000 acres. On the way in, everyone was treated with the sight of several deer (including a couple of nice bucks), a mob of pigs, a bobcat and a coyote, so it already looked promising.
During the course of the weekend, both Cheyanne and Sgt Leighton were successful in taking their game (see slide show).
Returning on Sunday to a barbeque at Brett Johnson's house prior to Sgt Leighton's flight home to San Deigo.
More information on the Patriot Guard Riders can be found here
More information on the Veterans Sportman Alliance can be found here
More info on McGrew Guide Service here
Info on Templar Sports can be found here
More on the organization that assisted in organizing the selection of the participant - Combat Marine Outdoors here
This writer would also like to be sure that our servicemen and women are honored and thank them for their service and the sacrifices they make for an on our behalf.
