David Wootten
Army Veteran
David Wootten has been my sweetheart since we were in high school. We’ve known each other for 27 years and have been married for 18 of those. However, David’s story started long before that. He grew up in a family with parents who were involved in drugs and motorcycle gangs.
As a consequence, his dad died of a drug overdose when David was only 8 years old. Growing up without a dad and with an absent mom gave David fewer opportunities in some ways but more opportunities in many other ways. He excelled in sports, but was always given a raw deal because of who his parents were. Soon he knew how to get attention from the popular kids through substance abuse and troublemaking.
That’s the David that I fell for in high school. I was a goody-two-shoe with good grades and perfect hair! I wanted to be with a “bad boy” to prove that I could be “bad” too! We started dating but it wasn’t long before I broke his heart. The breakup drove David to joining the military. He thought that he would either die on the streets or in prison, so he made the choice to enlist. He was off to Fort Benning, Georgia and I was off to my own adventures. I heard from David after he found out that he would be deployed to Iraq.
At the time, I was working at a camp in Maine. He drove from Pennsylvania to wish me well, and we thought we would never see each other again. The Lord had a better plan! I reached out to David via email shortly into his deployment to tell him that he was going to be a dad. He said he wasn’t shocked as this was his hope the whole time!
However, he thinks that the injury that he endured on one of the missions in Iraq was both because of being distracted by the news of being a dad and the Lord’s protection. It was this injury, along with a diagnosis of PTSD, that would give David a medical discharge from the army. David arrived back in the states a completely different person. He was hurt, overwhelmed, but blank. We got married and had our son. It was supposed to be a joyful time, but it was one of the darkest times I can remember. David was leaning on alcohol, painkillers, and video games to escape the physical and mental pain that was keeping him captive. Our son was about 2 years old at the time and was having health issues too. I needed help and wanted to get out of the nightmare that we were living, so I gave David an ultimatum. I had started attending a church with a friend and wanted David to attend too. He begrudgingly agreed knowing that if he didn’t, the deal was off.
After he visited a few times, things began to change, slowly but surely. The senior pastor, who was also a veteran, offered to help David. One of their first meetings was a hunting trip. Pastor Bob introduced David to archery and bow hunting! This was the beginning of a new therapy for David. A therapy that actually had positive results! It was about a year and a half after that when David would give his life to Christ. We got baptized together by our pastor in the pond on the property of that church. It was the beginning of a new life for us, Praise the Lord!
Since then, we have been on a roller coaster. David still deals with symptoms from PTSD and a lot of physical pain. It’s a lot for our marriage to handle, especially with three kids and other “normal” life issues. It’s hard not to think about what our lives could have been otherwise if David’s dad would have been around, if we wouldn’t have gone to the same high school, if he wouldn’t have gotten injured in Iraq, if he would have stayed in the army, if I would have fallen for a “good boy.” The list could go on forever! BUT GOD has the perfect plan. He always has, always does, and always will. Praise the Lord!
Leo Richardson
Army Veteran
It is with great honor and deep respect that I nominate Purple Heart and Army Meritorious Service Medal Recipient medically retired from combat wounds Army Sergeant Leo Richardson for participation in Bucks for the Brave. Leo is a true American hero—wounded in battle, humbled by personal trials, and reborn through faith, service, and perseverance. His journey exemplifies the spirit of your organization, and I can think of no one more deserving of this opportunity.
During his honorable service in the United States Army, Sgt. Richardson served as the lead gunner in convoy mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. One day while returning to their FOB Baiji in Iraq, his convoy was struck by a devastating Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Despite sustaining life-altering injuries, Sgt. Richardson displayed immense courage in the face of danger and was later awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries and sacrifices.
After the explosion, his resolve to return to duty was unwavering. However, the physical and mental toll from his wounds ultimately proved too great, forcing his medical retirement. Like many warriors who return from the battlefield, Sgt. Richardson began to fight a different kind of war, one that didn’t involve enemy combatants but instead involved coping with trauma, pain, and the profound sense of loss that accompanies a forced separation from military service. In the aftermath, he turned to alcohol to numb the relentless anguish. The cost was heartbreaking. He found himself divorced, separated from his children, and stripped of the professional identity he once proudly carried in uniform. He had hit rock bottom—isolated, hurting, and directionless. Yet, in his darkest hour, Leo found a beacon of hope: his faith in God. Rather than becoming another heartbreaking statistic of veteran suicide or chronic homelessness, Leo chose a different path. He turned to the Lord for healing, and through faith, he stopped drinking, reclaimed his dignity, and worked tirelessly to rebuild his relationship with his children. His transformation is nothing short of extraordinary.
Today, Leo is not just surviving—he is thriving, and now more than 9 years sober. He has since devoted his life to serving others, particularly his fellow veterans. As the leader of His Church’s Veterans Ministry in Tomball, Texas, he works closely with other service members, sharing his testimony and offering guidance, support, and hope to those who need it most. Each week, he conducts outreach through the local VA Center, where he brings a message of healing, community, and resilience to veterans who are navigating their own post-service challenges. His commitment to others extends well beyond spiritual guidance. Leo Richardson is also a certified Texas Hunt Master, and he dedicates his time and knowledge to train the state’s next generation of outdoorsmen through local youth programs.
Additionally, he volunteers regularly at outdoor healing events specifically designed for Gold Star children-those who have lost a parent in service to this country. Through these events, he brings joy, mentorship, and a renewed sense of connection to children coping with the unimaginable loss of a parent.
Never once has Leo asked for anything in return for the countless hours he gives. His heart is pure and his mission is clear: to serve, to uplift, and to help others find their way—just as he once found his. He is a tireless advocate for mental health, spiritual growth, and the restorative power of nature, and he pours his soul into every veteran and child he encounters.
To say Leo is deserving of recognition is an understatement. He epitomizes the very purpose of Bucks for the Brave, he has risen from the ashes of despair to become a source of light for others. His story is one of resilience, redemption, and unwavering devotion. Offering him the chance to participate in this hunt is more than a reward; it is a gesture that affirms the value of his journey and reminds him that his selfless efforts have not gone unnoticed. Sgt. Leo Richardson is a warrior, a healer, a mentor, and a man of great faith. Honoring him through Bucks for the Brave would not only bring immense joy to a man who has given so much, but it would also reinforce the power of community, nature, and healing in the lives of those who served.
He would be deeply humbled by the opportunity, not for the recognition, but because someone thought of him-the man who always thinks of others first.
I urge you to consider Leo for this opportunity. He is the embodiment of strength through adversity and grace through struggle. And just like your mission suggests, he has found his second life after the fire.
Sammy Woodburn
Army Veteran
Major Retired Sammy R. Woodburn Sr.
Major Sammy R. Woodburn Sr. was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He graduated from South
Houston High School in 1995 and enlisted in the United States Army as a Human
Resource Specialist. He served ten years as an enlisted Soldier and attained the rank of Sergeant
First Class before deciding to become a Commissioned Officer. Major Woodburn received his
commissioning through OCS in 2006. Commissioned as an Air Defense Officer, he attended the
Air Defense Basic Course at Fort Bliss, Texas before later changing his branch to Adjutant General.
Throughout his 22-year career, he has served in a wide variety of enlisted and officer positions,
some of which are: Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Battery
Executive Officer, Battalion Adjutant, Company Commander, Battalion S3, Battalion Executive
Officer, and combat tours to Baghdad, Sahr City, and Mosul, Iraq. Major Woodburn holds a
Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Webster University.
Major Woodburn’s past assignments include: HHC 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson,
Colorado; Delta Company 516th Personnel Service Battalion, Camp Market, Korea; Special Troops
Battalion Honor Guard, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; 2-60th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, South
Carolina; Bravo 4-5 ADA, Fort Hood, Texas; Alpha Battery 3-3 ADA, Task Force C-RAM,
Baghdad and Mosul, Iraq; 53rd Signal Battalion (SATCON), Peterson AFB, Colorado; Company
Commander for Houston North Recruiting Company; Battalion S3 and Battalion Executive Officer
for the Houston Recruiting Battalion.
Major Woodburn’s awards and decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service
Medal, (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (6 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army
Achievement Medal (9 Oak Leaf Clusters), Iraqi Campaign Medal (1 Star), Non-Commissioned
Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Drill Sergeant Badge, Army Basic Space
Badge, Army Recruiting Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.
Major Woodburn enjoys being outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He has been fishing since a young
boy and started hunting later in his life when his wife’s grandfather took him whitetail hunting in
Texas. Hunting has been a life saver for him to decompress.
Major Woodburn is married to the former Rebecca Ramey of Pasadena, Texas. They have been
married for 28 years and have four children: Courtney 26, Destinee 23, Sammy Jr. 20, Matthew 16 and two grandchildren.
Justin Napolitano
Army Veteran
Oh man, where to start; let me say he is a silent professional ie:green beret. He has 4 Purple Hearts, he’s been shot in every limb, blown up twice and died twice, he’s killed more bad guys than cancer, I swear to it! More than that he has compassion, professionalism and served his nation and will continue to till his last breath. He’s God fearing and a wonderful husband and father. See If you can get the story outta him about the AH-64 longbow crash! I’ll fill in with broad strokes; so there he was, full fledged fire fight, like bros taking heat all around, then blamo, he gets hit in his leg, no bullpuky his femoral artery was in the middle of the GS wound, any hoot, he goes down and bad dude is charging him with the AK, that’s when our hometown hero (Justin) grabs his side arm and lands his first handgun combat kill, sha-wing! Great work right? Well, the fights not over, home team comes over and places the tourniquet wrong (over the GSW and under the exit, whoopsie). So, Justin calls Uncle Sam and he’s like, “um yeah bro, too hot in there, thanks for your service and good luck dying on the grassy knoll.” Well, God truly has carried us both but in this story an Apache pilot heard this, and couldn’t let his fellow brother die so he dropped off the co pilot and loaded Justin up in his copilot seat. Justin was unknowingly bleeding out, redlined, died and on landing came to the fight and hit the pedal and crashed the plane “hard landing” on its side. Great story but not mine to tell. Oh oh oh, the good stories are the ones that came to us on blue passport to save our fellow Christian’s in Afghanistan at the fall of Kabul. By far, the coolest story ever and I hope they make a movie out of it. Mixed forces (delta, GB, seal) of americas best on a private jet with a backpack full of millions of dollars cash. Seriously y’all, this man truly is an actual American hero! Thank you for your consideration and time and please excuse any mistyping. If you’d like to speak further please don’t hesitate to call, 386-675-5608 I’m his biggest fan and be happy to fill in all the fun details. Just saw you’d like a photo, I’d be happy to supply his DD/214 but photos are not a thing with his profession. Sorry
Keith Aidich
Army Veteran
My husband has had a hard time for years trying to return to what some people call normal. To this day he is still having problems coping. He puts on a good front but behind the scenes he is troubled. We have been married 56 yrs and it has been ruff on me having to contend with his issues, but we have made it and will continue. He struggles with issues of people, he has very few friends that he trusts and even has problems trusting his family. We moved out of Wisconsin because of it and his memories of what it use to be like. He trusts no one sometimes I wonder if he trusts me. He has had his Medical issues since leaving Vietnam and still has issues to this day. He loves hunting but finds it hard to go on his own, he says carrying the gun Brings back the nightmares. He is a Good Man
Troy Youngblood
Army Veteran
Troy entered service at 17 years old, going Airborne Infantry. Shortly before his 18th birthday, he jumped into Panama for Operation Just Cause. He went to Ranger, Pathfinder, Sniper, Sere, Jungle Warfare schools and also got on the job training for Cook and Supply Specialist as well as going to Ft. Leonardwood to school for Combat Engineer.
I met him a month after he ETS’d and was in his 2 years IRR. We got married 8 weeks after we met. Although he was no longer in the military, I knew that Troy was a soldier through and through. He rejoined the Texas Army National Guard in 2000. in 2001, Troy was talking with a recruiter to go 20th Special Forces Group and was going to transfer, and then 9/11 happened. His company was activated at the Austin Airport to train what was going to be the TSA. During that time, I found out I was pregnant with our 3rd child. Because he was active, I had Tricare, but he learned they were being inactivated, so July 25, 2002, Troy transferred to active duty US Army. Ft. Hood was his first duty station, and we thought he would be deploying before Christmas. The deployment dates kept changing, and he went to Iraq in OIF 1 2003-2004. Troy didn’t want to come home, not because he didn’t miss us, but because there was a job to do there and it wasn’t finished. He was nominated for an ARCOM, BSM, BSM-V, and a second ARCOM by one of the officers, but because he PCS’d, the officer never followed through with the awards, so although we have the writeups, Troy was never given the awards.
His second deployment to Iraq was 2005-2006. This deployment he was basically and IED hunter for 8 months and was exposed to 50-60+ explosions. He was pulled from his unit by JSOC and sent to Ramadi to pull sniper overwatch missions with 1st Ranger Bat. Troy saved his Bradley Commander’s life after the BC was shot by a sniper. Troy ordered the Bradley driver to follow the Bradley in front of them to get back to the FOB while he continued lifesaving first aid. Troy was not put in for any awards for this.
After returning from the second tour, Troy knew something was off – I saw the changes. He took it upon himself to seek treatment. He began the med board process in 2008, was put on TDRL in 2009 and was permanently retired in April 2010.
