The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International (GCSCI), in partnership with the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge and Mike and Kathy Adams Rainey, organized a night of “Honoring Our Heroes” on March 14 at the Raineys’ Briarpatch Farms in Putnam County.
“It’s important to recognize those who have served this country so faithfully now and in the past. It makes me proud to see so many people come out and show their respect for these men and women who are nothing short of true heroes,” GCSCI Chapter President Lester Richardson said of the hundreds of veterans, chapter members, and friends who attended.
The event began with a rib-eye dinner, prepared and served by Lake Oconee Elks Lodge members, before keynote speaker and retired Green Beret Mark Nutsch launched into a tribute to his fellow veterans.
Nutsch served five combat deployments overseas and several other tours as a military contractor. He was tapped by the Army to lead the first Americans in Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a unique service that in late 2001 involved 12 Special Forces soldiers on horseback in northern Afghanistan.
Their ordeal and success in uniting anti-Taliban and anti-Al-Qaida forces to begin pushing south toward Kabul was later documented in the motion picture “12 Strong,” released in 2018 and based on the book Horse Soldier.
“It’s always easier to fight at the beginning of the conflicts,” Nutsch said. “My hat is off to all of you veterans in the room who fought after we did in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Syria, wherever you served. I honor you.”
Nutsch relayed stories of courage in Afghanistan, gratitude for veterans, and advice for everyone.
“Veterans help everyone and put themselves last,” Nutsch said while encouraging any struggling vets in the audience to seek assistance. “It’s okay to get help through the local VA and other organizations, like this chapter group. People will help you through life’s challenges. Many organizations, like this one, helped me.”
In the field, Nutsch said he would tell his men — and himself — “DFQ; Don’t Freakin’ Quit.”
Nutsch also called in hundreds of air support sorties from distant U.S. bases in other countries or from aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean. For an emotional reunion, James Lakeman of SCI revealed he had located two retired airmen who assisted Nutsch and his men during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Both Abe Bush of Eatonton and Chip King of Greensboro were pilots who supported Nutsch and his men above, and both received a standing ovation for their service as well.
Nutsch was followed on stage by Eatonton native Matt Rogers, now a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who played his veteran-themed song, “Camouflage,” as well as other patriotic songs.
Attendees also heard from retired Army Sergeant Mario Lopez, who received the Purple Heart after being injured by an improvised explosive device in Iraq.
The evening concluded with a fundraising auction featuring items such as fine firearms. There were also overseas trips to Italy and France available, as well as art and flags that flew over the U.S. Capitol. Proceeds from the auctions help fund programs for Georgia veterans.
For more information about the Georgia Chapter of SCI, visit gasci.org, call Lester Richardson at 404-9858556, or email gascipresident@gmail.com.