A Hero’s Return

by John Shelley

Media Director

Bowhunting North America, LLC

Every once in a while, a person can be in the right place at the right time and get the chance to be a part of something very special. Such was the case with me this past Friday.

The story starts two weeks ago with a phone call from Benjamin Brown, owner of Game Tamers tree stands. “Hey John, this is Ben. I’ve got something I want you to see. I’m going to email you some pictures.”  Ben continued with telling me the story of a young man who had called him looking for suggestions on what type of tree stand would work best for him.

The young man’s name is Bradley Gruetzner. Brad is from Palestine, TX and was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq as a staff sergeant with the 112^th Cavalry Division of the US Army when the Hum-V he was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). Two other soldiers in the Hum-V were killed in the attack and the fact that Bradley even survived is nothing short of a miracle. There is not one thing in the photo of the Hum-V that you could look at and say “Hey – that used to be a Hum-V.” The vehicle is now nothing more than a pile of twisted, melted metal.

“This boy wants to bowhunt again but money is tight for them” said Ben. He explained that due to the extent of Brad’s injuries, not only could he not work yet, but his wife Rachel had to quit her job to help with his rehabilitation. Ben said, “I’m going to give him a stand and I wondered if you could help me post his story and these pictures on some of the bowhunting discussion forums and let’s see if we can get some hunting gear for him.”  I said, “I’ll be happy to help and in fact, my partner Johnny Johnson and I will be the next to contribute and give him a deer hunt with our operation – Brazos Archery Outfitters.”

As soon as I received the pictures from Ben, I posted them on the discussion forums at www.bowhuntingnorthamerica.com  and www.texasbowhunter.com websites and told of our plans. The response was immediate and overwhelming!  Dozens of people chimed in offering, camo clothes, bowhunting gear, hunts, and even money. It was heart warming to see so many people step up to help with this worthy cause. In less than 2 weeks, the project grew from what started as a young man looking for advice on a tree stand to an unbelievable outpouring of donations consisting of hunting gear valued at thousands of dollars and cash and hunting trips valued at tens of thousands!

Friday, October 5^th was set as the day to meet with Brad and turn over the loot. The event would take place at the Game Tamers office in Fort Worth, TX. I arrived just before noon and several people were already there and the display of gear stretched from one end of the room to the other! I was amazed to see that so much stuff had been gathered in such a short time.

Among the offerings was a new BowTech Tribute compound bow, custom made arrows decorated in a stars and stripes pattern, camo clothing, Game Tamer tree stands, a Hunter’s Safety System safety vest. There was a custom made and engraved deer grunt call from Flat Line Custom Game Calls, autographed t-shirts, and custom monogrammed shirts, hats, and boots and bowhunting DVDs.

Randy Smith of Carpets Plus from Fort Worth had stopped by to pick up a check for carpet work he had done for Game Tamers. When he saw the crowd and the hunting gear, he asked what was going on. Ben explained and Randy handed the $2000 check back to Ben and said “Here, add this to the list!”

As Media Director for Bowhunting North America TV, I was there to explain to Brad our plans to film his hunt with Brazos Archery Outfitters for use on our TV show. Todd and Tia Cast with TNT Outdoor Adventures were there to offer their plans to do the same on a hunt with them for use on their show. Fil Alvarado and his cameraman from Fox 4 News in Fort Worth were there to cover the event for their station too.

A short time later, Brad and his beautiful wife Rachel, his best friend Josh Altman and his fiancée arrived. When they entered the building, the room erupted with applause. We were in the presence of a true American hero and it took only a few minutes of being in Brad’s company to realize what a remarkable young man he is.

In the IED attack, Brad lost part of his right arm, suffered head injuries, and extensive scars and burns. Even through all this, his incredible determination to prevail is exhibited in his smile and his attitude. They way I see it there are a couple of ways to deal with a situation like his. A person can just throw up their hands and say “Oh my, poor me, what a terrible thing. My life is ruined and I’ll never be the same” and sink into a life of misery and self pity. Or they can do as Brad has done and say “Okay – things are going to be different now. My life will be different than before but things will be okay. This is the hand I was dealt and intend to play it to the best of my ability.”  Brad gives credit for his inspiration to his wonderful wife Rachel and their beautiful daughter Brayden. There were some big ole boys in the room Friday, but I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.  

I think Brad was overwhelmed with the display of donations. He said he called to ask a question about a tree stand and it had turned into Christmas! Someone even asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he said, “I don’t think I’ll need a thing!”  It was easy to tell that his appreciation was sincere. After giving Brad time to admire his new toys and time for everyone to visit with him for a few minutes, it was time for lunch. Joe T. Garcia’s restaurant graciously provided the meal for all those in attendance, and a fine meal it was!

There are so many people to thank for participation or donations to this project. Thanks to each of you. A special thank you goes out to Benjamin Brown of Game Tamers and his partners and office staff for their tireless efforts to pull all this together.

Most of all, I would like to publicly thank you SSG Bradley Gruetzner for your sacrifices and contributions to keep our great country safe and free. Because you and the other members of our armed forces are willing to put yourselves in harms way, my family and I are able to live safely in free nation – and for that I will be eternally grateful.

It is so good to see one of our heroes return home, but it is also good to see him return to his passion – bowhunting. Thanks again to all those who helped make this possible.

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