EAGLE RIVER - Seven veterans from across the country landed in Wisconsin on Friday for the 2nd annual Eagle River Muskie CHal-Lunge.
These men traveled from as far as Texas and Pennsylvania just to get a taste of the Northwoods.
Local fishing legend, Joe Bucher, was happy to participate in this year's fishing event.
"Take them away from whatever else is going on in their lives for a weekend and let them go out and enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin and go chase a few muskies," said Bucher.
All the vets that were out fishing Saturday are Purple Heart recipients. For each of them, getting the chance to step back from their lives for a few days is exactly what they needed.
"Living in a busy life [and] getting to the outdoors is very therapeutic and it puts me back to my roots and kind of puts me in the position where I'm not so stressed, not thinking about some of the worst things that we've gone through in our life, while I was here or overseas," said Tennessee native Steven Kilburn.
The Wounded Warriors in Action program, which put on this weekend's events, offers veterans the opportunity to participate in other outdoor sporting events like hunting. All of which are expenses paid.
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