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OLDE CROW GENERAL STORE VETERANS GET TOGETHER

The Olde Crow General Store was the place to be on April 2 when about 100 veterans, their families, and local citizens stopped by to chat and have a bite to eat. Store owner, Damon Helton, is usually closed on Saturday, but he opened the store to host the event, which was well attended and lasted until late afternoon. The AFF co-hosted the event and signed up six new members. Several were assigned cycles and had a short test ride at the Highway 9 and 5 junction. The Akansa Chapter of the DAR provided various desserts, and Harry Tickle was the BBQ master offering up delicious pulled pork BBQ. A good time was had by all. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make the get together a real success!

Volume III Issue 02 “Working for Arkansas Veterans, No Veteran is Alone” April 2016

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NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BIKE & HIKE

About 40 people showed up for the Northwest Arkansas Bike and Hike, a testament to the activities of the AFF. It was a great day, with the AFF signing up 5 new members and assigning bikes, while Hiking Director Mickey Spillane led two different hikes. The AFF programs are making a difference. Two members upgraded from hand cycles and tadpoles to two-wheel bikes showing that you don't give up and you can reach your goals. The AFF also picked up a new contact for members in NWA. Drew Suchanek has agreed to come on and help Ben Dykes with member events in the area. Welcome Drew! AFF Members in the Northwest part of the state should contact these guys with questions or concerns and new members.

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2016 ADVENTURE HIKING PROGRAM

The Arkansas Freedom Fund Adventure Hiking Program's mission is to promote wellness,

improve physical fitness, and contribute to a healthy spirit and mind for all participants while exploring

the great outdoors. We accomplish these objectives by providing scheduled hiking and outdoor

activities led by experienced outdoorsmen and women. All AFF Members, families, and friends are

invited to participate in one, some or all of the hikes. Planned Hikes in 2016 will be on the

SECOND Saturday of every month between April and October. Adventurers are asked to bring

appropriate clothing for the weather, a beverage of choice and sturdy boots or shoes. Suggested

items include: a camera, hiking poles, first aid kit and a compass. All hikes will start at 0900 hrs

except the Ponca trip to see the Elk which will meet at 1500 hrs on the 8th of October. Happy Hiking!

14 MAY 2016 (0900 hrs)

Pinnacle Mountain State Park Base Trail

11 JUN 2016 (0900 hrs)

Seven Hollows Trail (Petit Jean State Park)

9 JULY 2016 (0900 hrs)

Lake Catherine State Park, Falls Branch Trail

(Camp Ground Trail Head)

13 AUG 2016 (0900 hrs)

Devil's Den State Park, Fossil Flats Trail

(Visitor's Center)

10 SEP 2016 (0900 hrs)

Central Arkansas Nature Center, LR River Trail

(0900 at the

Arkansas Nature Center)

22 OCT 2016 (1600 hrs)

Ponca Elk Education Center Visitor Center,

Address: AR-43, Ponca, AR 72670

STANDBY TRAILS

In the event a Park Closes we will change to the

Mount Nebo State Park, Rim Trail (0900 at the Mt

Nebo Visitor Center) OR

Pfeifer Loop Trail at Burns Park will become the

default trail (meet 0900 at the NLR side of the Big

Damn Bridge)

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GREAT GOLF CLINIC!!!

On March 14, 2016, the second AFF Golf Clinic was held at Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village. Some 30 warriors and 20 PGA professionals were on hand to enjoy a beautiful day on the driving range, the putting green, and the chipping green. The event began with lunch, a short review of course etiquette and then the groups left with their PGA pros for a hands-on experience. In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the PGA, each PGA Section selected a unique event to report on and the AFF Golf Clinic was selected for the South Central Section. The Golf Channel sent a film crew to record the day’s events and a video was aired on April 24 on the Morning Drive Show. We have some real stars among us! Hope you were able to see the video. It was well done and featured some of our star pupils: John, Mark, Charlie, Anthony and Columbus! Thanks to everyone!

Mark Leonard and Charlie Simpson during their film interview on the driving range.

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Left: Columbus Freeman and Charlie Simpson on the driving range.

Right: TV news caster Craig O’Neill hams it up in the grill room.

Left: Charlie Simpson practices his putting.

Right: The last shot of the great shoot-out was made by Randy Hays.

LAST CALL -- 6th Annual Freedom Scramble

May 16, 2016

Our annual 2016 Freedom Golf Scramble is just around the corner. Attention Warriors: If you would like to play, please call Sylvia and get your name on the list ASAP.

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6th Annual Freedom Golf Scramble

Entry Form

The Arkansas Freedom Fund will host the 6th Annual Freedom Golf Scramble at Diamante Country Club, 1000 Country

Club Drive, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909, on May 16, 2016. Cost is $125 per person which includes golf, cart, lunch,

two mulligans and a raffle ticket. We have cut back on the number of teams for 2016 to ensure everyone gets to play

their full round. NO TEAM SLOTS WILL BE HELD BY PERSONAL REQUEST. RESERVATIONS WILL BE

CONFIRMED (if email information is provided) ONLY AFTER A COMPLETED ENTRY FORM AND CHECK/PAYPAL

ARE RECEIVED. There will be two flights and teams will be limited. Sign up now and don’t wait until it’s too late!

PLEASE DESIGNATE BY CIRCLING WHICH FLIGHT YOU PREFER: A.M. OR P.M.

Morning Flight: Afternoon Flight:

Check-in beginning at 7:00 a.m. Check-in beginning at 12:30 noon

Shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. Shotgun start at 1:30 p.m.

Lunch served at 1:00 p.m. Lunch served at 11:30 a.m.

1. Name: Hdcp

Address: City/State/Zip

email: Telephone:

2. Name: Hdcp

Address: City/State/Zip

email: Telephone:

3. Name: Hdcp

Address: City/State/Zip

email: Telephone:

4. Name: Hdcp

Address: City/State/Zip

email: Telephone:

Would you like to play with a Warrior? YES NO ____

Would like to "SPONSOR A WARRIOR" for $125? YES __ How Many? _____ ____

Would you like to "SPONSOR A HOLE" for $150?

If so, how would you like your name to appear on the Hole Sign:

Would you like to be “PLATINUM SPONSOR”? $750 __ ____

(includes 4 man team, “Sponsor a Warrior”, & Hole Sign designating you as a Platinum Sponsor)

Attach checks payable to Arkansas Freedom Fund and mail to:

John H. Matthews

11 Loyola Lane

Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 Please call if you have questions: 501-915-8533

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

May 7 - Train Festival Bike Ride for AFF in Hope. Starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Train Station. Come to Hope as they support the AFF through a bike ride. Route is flat and will be a good time. May 14 – Hike – Pinnacle Mountain State Park Base Trail beginning 0900 hrs

May 16 - The 6th Annual Freedom Scramble at Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village.

Contact Sylvia if you would like at attend, to play help or just watch. May 24 – Kiwanis Club Lunch Western Sizzlin of Benton. May 30 – Memorial Day Murph Challenge Crossfit Legit in Benton. Get fit for a cause. June 10 – Pine Bluff Firefighters Golf Scramble at Country Club of Arkansas. June 10-11 - Fishing with Heroes tournament at Lake Dardanelle. June 11 – Hike – Seven Hollows Trail (Petit Jean State Park) beginning 0900 hrs. June 17-18 Poultry Festival in Fayetteville. Need folks to enjoy the festival and work the AFF/Pilgrims Pride Booth sponsored by Pilgrims Pride. June 18 – ArVets & Crain Ford PTSD Awareness 5K Run Walk at Big Dam Bridge. (Not AFF Event) June 21 – Fishing at Logo Landing sponsored by the United Methodist Men’s Group in Heber

Springs. July 9 – Hike – Lake Catherine State Park, Falls Branch Trail (Campground Trail Head) beginning

0900 hrs

August 13 – Hike Devil’s Den State Park, Fossil Flats Trail (Visitor’s Center) beginning 0900

September 10 – Hike – Central Arkansas Nature Center, LR River Trail beginning 0900 at the

Arkansas Nature Center

September 11 - Dave Elswick 9-11 The Answer Golf Scramble Cypress Creek

October 7-9 - Arkansas Challenge Weekend

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October 22 – Hike – Ponca Elk Education Center Visitor Center beginning 1600 hrs at AR-43,

Ponca, AR 72670

December 2-4 - Pine Bluff Arsenal Hunt

If you have questions, or need assistance in any way, please contact any member of the board. The AFF is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible.

For more information contact Mark Leonard, Chair – 501-517-5338 or log on to our website at

www.arkansasfreedomfund.org.

YOUR BOARD MEMBERS!

Don Kennedy-Chair, Pam Griff in-Vice Chair, Joyce Wood-Secretary, Bill Butterworth-Treasurer, Gary Wynn, Mickey Spillane, Alex Diaz, Cliff Hudson, Richard Thomas, Charlene Ort, Mark Leonard Executive Director,

Mark Blue serving as Arkansas West Alumni Coordinator , Bubba Smith-Chaplain, and Odette Woods-Chaplain.

You can reach “Bubba” at srpastor@cohumc.com or by calling the church at 501-922-4503. You can reach Odette at 501-612-6817. Note from your Editor: Our newsletter is published every other month: February, April, June, August, October and December. If you have information you wish to include, please email to Sylvia Matthews at hotexans@suddenlink.net with details of event, place, date, etc. We want to hear from you!

On April 7, 2016, the Arkansas Freedom Fund received $2779.66 in donations!

Thanks to everyone who logged on and made their donations.

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