Zachary Haynes is a long way from his home state of Colorado. Haynes is currently stationed at Ft. Knox Kentucky and being away from home is nothing new. Haynes is the 2009 recipient of the Debra Card Courage Award sponsored by Roger Card and Safari Club International Central Michigan Chapter in memory of his deceased wife Debra. Haynes a two time tour combat soldier had escaped death many times in his time spent in Bagdad. His courage in protecting not only himself and fellow soldiers but most importantly our freedom is exemplary of the courage that Debra fought in her battle against cancer. As the winner of the Debra Card Courage Award, Haynes was presented with a free whitetail hunt at Cards Draw, a hunting preserve in Mecosta Michigan owned by Roger Card. Upon his arrival Haynes was met by the staff of Cards Draw and greeted by all. Haynes and his hunting gear was quickly escorted to the ranch house and after a quick lunch, was taken to the firing range to make sure his rifle was zeroed in.

It was pretty obvious to Roger Card that this combat veteran was not a stranger to the range and he was quickly zeroed in at 100 yds. Next inline was the wait for the evening hunt, Haynes readied his gear, laid out his hunting clothes and waited anxiously. Upon arrival to the blind, Haynes and his guide Roger Card waited patiently and hoped for the whitetail deer to move and especially in their direction. Approximately 5:00 p.m. a nice 8 point buck came into the field and was quickly and accurately harvested by the combat veteran. Haynes just could not say thank you enough and Card and his staff were touched by the appreciation that Haynes joyfully expressed. A fine Michigan whitetail for a combat soldier far from home.

Front Sight, Issue 10, Page 11
Ben Benzing, our member in charge of the Veteran Hunters Program and on the membership committee, shared at one of our meetings, his experience being the first successfulhunter, with an 8-point Upper Peninsula deer, to cross the new Mackinac Bridge on November 15, 1957. Here is the Field and Stream article, dated January 1958, showing Woodie
Jarvis presenting Benzing with the Field and Stream plaque. (This Field and Stream magazine sold for 35 cents)

Ben Benzing also received a special tribute from the State of Michigan in 1998 and the wording is below. What a special tribute to a very special member of our chapter.

State of Michigan
Special Tribute
Presented to
Ben Benzing

LET IT BE KNOWN, That it is a great pleasure to honor Ben Benzing for his service as the State DAV Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Department of Michigan, at a Testimonial Dinner honoring him on Friday, April 3, 1998, in Clare, Michigan.

Ben was born in Hersey, Michigan, and entered the military at the age of 17, where he served in the infantry for 23 years, 13 years of which he served as an officer. A Vietnam veteran, Ben served with the 25th Infantry Division, "Tropic Lightning", and was involved in five major campaigns during his 1968-1969 tour of duty. He became eligible for membership in the DAV as a result of being wounded twice during the 1968 Tet offensive. He has been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge (C.I.B.), and twice awarded the order of the Purple Heart. He has been decorated for valor, including the award of the Army Commendation Medal.

Ben returned to attend the University of Columbia in South Carolina. He taught military science at the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada. He was employed as a police officer in Phoenix, Arizona until disability forced his retirement. Ben is a professional hunter and hunting guide, and also a weapons expert. He has also been active as a Third World Missionary through the United Methodist Church (UMC). He has taken two UMC "Work Groups" to Haiti, and was a member of the UMC World Board of International Childcare.

Ben became an active member of the DAV in 1979, and has served many chapter offices including Commander, for many years. He has served numerous convention committee assignments and has served in the elected State Vice-Commander position.

Ben and his wife, Betty, have 12 children, 32 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE, Therefore, This document is signed and dedicated to honor Ben Benzing, one of Michigan's most distinguished citizens. May he know of the respect and gratitude that we hold for him.

Bill Schutte, State Senator John J. Llewellyn, State Representative Thirty-Fifth District The One Hundredth District The Eighty-Ninth Legislature At Lansing -- April 3, 1998

The Mid-Michigan Chapter of Safari Club International lives up to its reputation of recognizing and honoring our veterans. As board member Brad Eldred accepts a certificate of appreciation to The Wildlife Gallery of Michigan and Texas from Past Department Commander of Disabled Veterans of America Ben Benzing for their dedication and commitment to our communities disabled veterans. On behalf of two million + disabled vets, a real heartfelt thanks to Mid-Michigan Chapter of Safari Club International and Brad Eldred, president and CEO of The Wildlife Gallery.

Photo: From left to right: Taxidermy Studio General Manager Dan Catlin, Receptionist Bri Richardson, Brad Eldred, and Ben Benzing.

Photo: Roger Card presenting his brother, Jack Card, with his Vietnam Veteran Award at the Mid-Michigan Chapter SCI fundraiser.

Veteran Hunt for Buffalo
View Photo Album
by Ben Benzing
Front Sight, Issue 6, Page 5

Mid-Michigan Chapter of Safari Club International continues its tradition of recognizing and honoring our nations veterans. Through the generosity and kindness of fellow veteran Roger Froling, owner and CEO of Froling Farms, Purple Heart Recipient of the Vietnam War, Ben
Benzing and his wife, Betty, were invited to participate in the harvest of a buffalo from the ranch herd.

Elated with the invitation, Ben and Betty arrived at the Froling Ranch at the predetermined time. The level of excitement steadily increasing as an animal was selected
from the herd for harvest. One perfectly placed shot from a custom Remington Model 721 cal. 30.06 using a 165 grain silvertip bullet cleanly dispatched the animal on the spot, thus bringing closure to a chapter in this wanna be big game hunter's life.

A huge heartfelt thanks to Roger Froling and Mid-Michigan Chapter of SCI for what they do for our disabled Vets.

Dream Comes True for Disabled Vet
View Photo Album
by Jim Fortino
Front Sight, Issue 5, Page 26

September 29 will always be remembered by Doug Burgard, disabled USMC veteran from the Vietnam War. Burgard was the recipient of the Debra Card Courage Award, donated to the Mid-Michigan Chapter of Safari Club International by Roger Card in memory of his deceased wife. Burgard was the chosen applicant from over 30 applications. Burgard suffered a near fatal stroke and has been left without the use of his left arm and limited use of his left leg.

During his interview, Burgard, nicknamed Klinger, mentioned two wishes that he would like to do again, riding his motorcycle and whitetail hunting. As the winner of the Debra Card Courage Award, Burgard was given a three day hunt at Cards Draw, a whitetail ranch located at Mecosta,
Michigan, owned by Roger Card.

Burgard anxiously awaited the day, calling many times to make sure that this was not a dream and was going to really happen. Finally the day arrived. Burgard arrived two hours early and waited anxiously unknown by the entrance. Finally the time arrived and Burgard entered and was welcomed by the staff at Cards Draw. After a short lunch, Roger Card took him to the shooting range to make sure that this old marine could still shoot. No problem here. Once a Marine, always a Marine. He shot one handed and was right on. The evening hunt seemed like decades away to Burgard but once in the blind and settled in with his guide and camera crew, all he had to do was wait and watch for his whitetail dream to come true. Approximately at 6:05 p.m. a very nice possible eight point buck came into the field but was very reluctant to put himself into a safe position to shoot. After waiting for the right moment, the shot was fired and the buck dropped straight to the ground, a perfect shot for this Marine. This eight point buck, upon closer inspection turned out to be an eleven point buck! Burgard was ecstatic and could not believe that his dream came true, thanks to Roger Card and the Debra Card Courage Award.