Fifth Annual Salute to Our Heroes. Save the date and secure your table for our unforgettable Gala! This year, we’re celebrating in a brand-new location, The District, so don’t miss out. Dress to impress—formal attire is encouraged, and if you have a dress uniform, we’d love to see you wear it with pride!

• 5-6 p.m. social hour

• Music from the Dixieland Stompers

• 6:30 p.m. plated/served Dinner courtesy of Roam Kitchen & Bar

• 6:15-7:15 p.m. Silent Auction

• 7:15 p.m. guest speakers: Phillip and Missy Krabbe

• 8:15 p.m. Live Auction w/ Ryan Wieman

I’ve been serving at the lodge since November 2022, but my journey here began as a guest. I was a last-minute addition after a few other women couldn’t attend. Though hesitant, I felt honored and decided to go. That decision changed my life.

During my initial weekend, the healing I experienced was profound. When it was time to leave, I sat in the parking lot and cried—tears of deep healing I hadn’t realized I needed. In that moment, I knew this place was special, and I had to be part of it. When I got home, even my husband noticed a positive change in me. Though not a veteran himself, he now actively volunteers at the lodge because he’s seen the incredible impact it’s had on my life and wants others to benefit as well.

For me, the lodge is a sanctuary—a place of solace, friendship, and camaraderie I didn’t know I needed. Every group of women I’ve been a part of has left a lasting impact on me. Each time we come together, it feels like reconnecting with lifelong friends. The lodge provides a judgment-free, safe space that’s so vital for female veterans, many of whom struggle to fully relax and feel at ease because of our military experiences. But at the lodge, those barriers fall away, and I can finally breathe deeply.

I served in the Army for four years as a satellite communications specialist, deployed to Iraq for OIF II (2004–2005) with the 13th Signal Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. My role involved providing internet, secure and non-secure communications, VOIP phones, and telecommunications for the entire division—the first time it was successfully achieved in a wartime setting.

One of my favorite memories at the lodge was playing bunco with ten other women after a long day of hunting. We were exhausted yet giddy, sharing stories, laughing loudly, and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. At one point, Bruce—the founder and CEO—walked in, likely checking on us. Looking around at the smiles, sparkling eyes, and pure joy, I realized just how rare and beautiful this moment was. For female veterans, letting loose like that isn’t always easy. Yet here we were, fully present, pushing aside past hurts, and embracing the bonds of sisterhood.

In 2024, I began my first year serving with the Lodge. I was inspired to get involved after attending the Wings of Valor Lodge Fundraiser Benefit in March. The speakers at the event, especially Phillip Krabbe, deeply moved me. His story of struggles resonated with my own experiences, and I felt called to help bring joy and fellowship to other veterans. The Lodge means a great deal to me, as I love seeing veterans smile while shooting their first pheasant. Helping them improve their marksmanship and sharing in the camaraderie of the hunts is incredibly fulfilling.

My military background includes three years of active duty with the U.S. Army. I trained at Fort Leonard Wood as a 12B Combat Engineer and was stationed with the 25th Infantry Division, 65th Engineer Battalion, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, from 1988 to 1991. After my active duty, I joined the South Dakota Army National Guard while attending college from 1991 to 1995.

One of my favorite memories at the Lodge was handing out Wings of Valor challenge coins to DAV members in Sioux Falls, a moment made possible by Bruce Weller. Seeing the joy on the veterans' faces during that experience is unforgettable. Every hunt I volunteer for brings its own set of cherished memories.

I have been serving at the lodge since 2005. My involvement was inspired by the joy I witnessed in veterans as they laughed and smiled while pheasant hunting. I strongly believe that as non-military civilians, we should do more to support and honor those who have served our country. To me, the lodge is a place where I can give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. While I don’t have a military background myself, being part of this effort to support veterans is deeply meaningful. One of my favorite memories is from a morning at the lodge when a veteran who is a double amputee wheeled over to me and joked, "I put on my camouflage pants this morning, and I bet you can’t see my legs, can you?" Despite the challenges he faced after losing both legs in combat, his positive attitude was truly inspiring and continues to leave a lasting impression on me.

I’ve been serving at the lodge for about three years. My journey began as a guest, and the calmness I found there inspired me to help other veterans discover the same sense of peace. The friendships I’ve formed through my involvement with WOV have been invaluable, as they provide constant healing and guidance on navigating life after my deployments and military service. Both guests and volunteers bring something unique to the table, and it’s through those shared contributions that we can all succeed. I proudly served eight years in the Marine Corps and 15 years in the Army, retiring after 23 years of service.

Byron has been serving at the lodge since it became Wings of Valor and previously guided hunters for several years.

He was inspired to get involved by his love for hunting, working with his dogs, and his deep respect for veterans. Byron shared that his father, a Korean War veteran, was actively involved with American Legion Post 283 in Chancellor, South Dakota, and instilled in him a strong appreciation for those who served. Attending Memorial Day services with his father left a lasting impression on him.

“The lodge is a special place to me,” he says. “I love giving back to the veterans who have served our country. Watching veterans, especially those experiencing pheasant hunting for the first time, light up with excitement and joy is truly rewarding. The smiles and glow on their faces remind me why I do this.”

Though he does not have a military background, Byron served his community as a deputy sheriff for 18 years and as Sheriff of Turner County for another 18 years, where Wings of Valor is located. “While I haven’t served in the military, I can empathize with the pain of losing comrades. One of my deputies was killed in the line of duty in 2009, and that loss is something I carry with me.”

When asked to share a favorite memory from his time at the lodge, Byron recalled a powerful moment: “One day, a group of veterans was hunting, and one of them, who had lost both arms in battle, stood out to me. He was using a specially designed shotgun strapped to his chest with a biting mechanism to fire. My dog flushed a pheasant, and he took the shot, bringing the bird down. Watching him retrieve the pheasant brought tears to my eyes. Witnessing his determination and success was one of the most moving moments of my life.”