Volunteer’s

Husband and father of 2 beautiful girls. 3rd Generation Army Veteran 1990-1999. Owner of King Signs. PH Committee member for 5 years. Avid hunter and outdoorsman for over 40 years.

I grew up hunting and fishing in Eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River, at 18 I joined the Army to carry on the family tradition of serving our great nation. In 2011, after 20+ years I retired. In 2014, I became a member of the Pro-Staff for Patriot Hunts. I am an avid outdoorsman and I enjoy introducing our Combat Veterans and Gold Star children to the outdoors. Veterans as well as the children easily find the outdoors as a form a therapy. I am married to Paula Nash and have 3 children, Olivia, Madison and Dakota.

Retired at Fort Bragg after serving 20yrs in the Army with two combat deployments. I enjoy spending my time with my wife and two girls and volunteering with Patriot Hunts. The ability to share and givie back to my brothers and sisters who have served, and those that still serve and their families that support them continues to drive me.

Lee Tedrick is a retired Master Sergeant who served 22 years as a Communications Sergeant, 18 years of his career here in the Ft Bragg community. Lee has deployed multiple times to both Iraq and Afghanistan in multiple roles, and retired in 2016 from 1st Special Forces Command. Lee grew up hunting and fishing between Missouri and Virginia.

Jason Sawyer joined the Patriot Hunts staff in 2018 after seeing first hand what they do for the military and gold star community. Jason spent 22 years in the Army and retired in early 2011 as a Sergeant Major. He has hunted his whole life and takes annual trips to the west for backcountry DIY big game hunts.

I grew up hunting and fishing in western Pennsylvania before entering the Air Force in 1996 at the age of 18 from Pittsburgh, PA.  I was initially an Avionics Guidance and Control Journeyman my first three years and then cross trained in to be a C-17A Loadmaster.  I was a Loadmaster for 18 of my 21 years in the AF and spent 15 years in special operations aviation.  My last 12 years of special ops service was spent right here at Pope AAF directly supporting SOF operations around the world.  I have been involved with Patriot Hunts since 2015 and it has given me the opportunity to continue supporting SOF warriors through the brotherhood of the outdoors.

We are proud to welcome Nick Marinelli to the Patriot Hunts family as our new Southeast Regional Director. Nick brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He is the co-owner of Mossy Oak Properties Land and Luxury, which brokers high end properties throughout the Southeast.  In addition to running a successful business, he has hunted all over the country. Nick’s responsibilities include working with sponsors, potential donors, and landowners. He has been vital in helping Patriot Hunts secure hunting opportunities, equipment and donations that are all used in our Outdoor Adventures. We are fortunate to have him on board.

As the owner of a family owned business, I have seen many changes throughout Ft. Bragg & Fayetteville over the years. Ft. Bragg has had a great impact on Fayetteville not only throughout the private sector, but business as well. We pride ourselves on the fact we serve not only the citizens of Fayetteville, but the military community as well. We have been fortunate to have been in business as long as we have, and I felt the need and honor to give back to the military families that have given so much, not only to this community, but to this country.

SFC, HHC 525th BFSB 19.5 YEARS
Brigade Fire Support NCO

After eighteen years of military service, I was injured by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. I was awarded the Purple Heart and sent home to deal with the recovery process that is still very much a part of my life today. I went into social seclusion and really didn’t want to be around anyone except my wife and children. The struggles we faced during the time immediately following the deployment were dark times for everyone. I had no real hobbies and couldn’t find solace even in sleep. I was invited by Mr. Barnard to go on a bear hunting trip on the coast of North Carolina. I wasn’t too sure about it at first and was very cautious to even take him up on the offer. That was a trip that changed my life. Not only because of the hunting, but because of the fellowship. Meeting other Soldiers that had lost so much, but could laugh so hard. Meeting Families and becoming part of one. Patriot Hunts isn’t just a hunting group, it is a selfless organization that taught me I wasn’t alone, that my Family wasn’t alone and we could be part of something far bigger than ourselves. From volunteering at Surviving Family events to Kids Day, I cannot think of a safer place to be than with the Patriot Hunt Families. My wife and children love to come along and help out, we always know it will be a fun experience with lifetime memories. If it wasn’t for Ken and the boys, Pam and the Families, I am not sure where we would be today.

Jason Thomas is a Chief Warrant Officer 2 assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (A).  He has spent the last 10 yrs as a member of the Special Forces Regiment. Jason has deployed to Afghanistan on 6 combat rotations with 3rd SFG (A) where he has served in many roles, the latest as an Assistant Detachment Commander. Jason is a native of Phenix City Alabama.  He is married to Melissa Thomas and has 3 children, Jared, Kyleigh, and Jacob.