This is a national program which gifts historic rifles to soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But Bogart is especially touched by a gift that carries the weight of history and a sense of the battlefield. It is a vintage M1 Garand, the infantry rifle that U.S. forces fought with in World War II.

Bogart, 34, is one of the latest recipients of the historic rifles from a national program started by a man from North Carolina and backed by veterans groups to commend the servicemen and women wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It’s a piece of American and world history,” Bogart, a 17-year career soldier, said by telephone from his home in Cuba, about 85 miles southwest of St. Louis. “The M1 Garand was carried on the battlefields of the world, and I am delighted to be able to get a piece of that heritage.”

snip……The program “M1s for Vets” was started in late 2005 as a way to recognize wounded veterans who are interested in shooting sports such as marksmanship, trap and skeet or hunting. It was initiated by shooting enthusiast John J. O’Shea of Huntersville, N.C., who has two sons in the Marines. It has spread through several veterans groups.

The rifles have been presented to more than 150 wounded vets in several states since the program started. Vets coming back to military hospitals in the United States can check a box on their paperwork identifying themselves as interested in shooting sports. Those vets are then eligible for selection by the organizers and their local partners.

Historic gun honors wounded veteran

Technorati Tags: M1s for Vets, 1st Lt Joseph C Bogart, Support The Troops, US Military

One Response to “M1s for Vets”