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Bushnell Outdoor Products Provides $200,000 Contribution to Folds of Honor Foundation

Bushnell Outdoor Products

Overland Park, KS. --(Ammoland.com)- Bushnell Outdoor Products, an industry leader in sports optics and outdoor accessories for more than 60 years, has announced its 2011 contribution to Folds of Honor Foundation will total $200,000.

Since establishing a partnership in 2010, the outdoor leader has contributed nearly $300,000 to Folds of Honor.

Founded by Major Dan Rooney in 2007, Folds of Honor provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members disabled or killed during U.S. military service. Major Rooney, a former F-16 pilot who served three tours in Iraq, founded Folds of Honor to ensure that families of fallen service members never have to endure alone.

“Thanks to support from partners like Bushnell, 2011 was a monumental year for Folds of Honor Foundation,” said Major Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor president and founder. “Last year alone we were able to double the number of scholarships provided, and as a result of that incredible momentum we hope to provide 1,000 scholarships in 2012,” added Major Rooney.

In 2012 Bushnell will continue its product partnership with Folds of Honor with two exclusive golf laser rangefinders: Bushnell Tour V2 Patriot Pack and Tour V2 Slope Patriot Pack. A portion of the proceeds from each Patriot Pack sold will be donated to Folds of Honor.

For more information about the Bushnell and Folds of Honor partnership, visit www.bushnell.com/folds. To learn more about Bushnell Outdoor Products and its complete line of sports optics and outdoor accessories, visit www.bushnell.com or call 1-800-423-3537.

About Folds of Honor Foundation
Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional, USGA member and former F-16 military pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, founded the Folds of Honor Foundation in 2007 following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. While a passenger on a commercial flight, Major Rooney witnessed an event that would profoundly change his life. As the plane landed, the pilot announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board – Corporal Brock Bucklin – and his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Corporal Bucklin’s family receives him in his final homecoming.” Major Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Major Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation. As of January 12, 2012, more than one million dependents have been affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of these, 87 percent do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance. Individuals interested in contributing to the Folds of Honor, and those applying for scholarships should go to FoldsofHonor.org.

About Bushnell
Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bollé®, Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe’s®, Butler Creek®, Cébé®, Uncle Mike’s®, Final Approach®, Simmons® and Millett® brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.

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By USA Shooting and Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO

Wounded Warrior Josh Olson Headed to Paralympic Games

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --(Ammoland.com)-  Showcasing courage, determination and inspiration, USA Shooting has announced the nomination of Sgt. 1st Class Josh Olson of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit to the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team contingent on the approval of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Olson is the first active-duty Soldier to be nominated for the Paralympic Games and first active-duty servicemember to ever be nominated to compete in shooting sports at the games.

Olson qualified for the team based on the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) two-part qualification system for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. On Jan. 15, the IPC announced that the U.S. earned a second participation slot per the minimum qualifying score (MQS) allocations. At the 2011 IPC World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Olson finished sixth in R3 (Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone). Earlier that year, he finished seventh in R6 (Mixed 50m Rifle Prone) at the IPC World Cup Alicante and eighth in R6 at the IPC World Cup USA held on Fort Benning.

Deployed to Iraq in 2003 with 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Olson was struck with a rocket-propelled grenade while on patrol, resulting in the loss of his right leg from the hip down. After spending 18 months at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Olson received his assignment to the USAMU.

During his time at the USAMU, Olson has become a pioneer and advocate for Wounded Warriors. He has led the effort to establish a Paralympic team at the unit, enabling wounded warriors deemed able to continue to serve on active duty to showcase the Army in support of recruiting and accessions while enhancing its overall combat readiness through the unit’s robust marksmanship training program.

“Sgt. 1st Class Olson is a trailblazer for our Army,” says Lt. Col. Dan Hodne, commander, USAMU. “His unique Army story speaks volumes of the notion of ‘ability’ rather than ‘disability,’ and exemplifies professional Soldiers who all must be ‘Army Strong.’”

Josh Olson

Olson is also heavily involved with “Operation Proper Exit,” where he aids other veterans recovering from injuries sustained during combat by visiting their place of injury in Iraq. In honor of his service and dedication to the country, Olson was awarded the Purple Heart from former President George W. Bush.

This is Olson’s first Paralympic Games nomination–he just missed the threshold in 2008, but has been a member of the National Paralympic Team for five years.

“I want to thank my family and friends for all the support, understanding and sacrifice; my coaches for the instruction and world-class mentorship; and finally, the U.S. Army for providing the opportunity to continue to serve and represent the USA on the world stage,” said Olson.

Consideration for the expansion of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit for Wounded Warriors deemed able to continue to serve on active duty as marksmanship instructors and Paralympic shooter/instructors is currently ongoing as part of the Army’s “Total Army Analysis.”

About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com.

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