CNS sponsors Pull for Our Veterans shoot

  • Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2016, 10:08 am

Todd Kisling (left), Brian Schlenker (center), and Gary Hagan represent CNS at this year’s event that raised more than $40,000 for the Fisher House Foundation and HonorAir Knoxville.Todd Kisling (left), Brian Schlenker (center), and Gary Hagan represent CNS at this year’s event that raised more than $40,000 for the Fisher House Foundation and HonorAir Knoxville.

Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association recently hosted a Pull for Our Veterans Skeet and Trap Fun shoot. Pull for Our Veterans is a non-profit organized solely for the purpose of raising money for veterans and their families.

Consolidated Nuclear Security was a corporate sponsor and was represented by a five‑member employee team of shooting sportsmen and women. Team members included Brian Schlenker, Gary Hagan, Abe Mathews, Heather Mathews, and Todd Kisling.

Pull for Our Veterans President Richard Stouder has organized the shoot for the past few years and said, “This year, we raised over $40,000 for the Fisher House Foundation and HonorAir Knoxville.”

Earlier this year, the CNS team took part in a “Fun Shoot” in Sweetwater, which raised $5,000 for Pull for Our Veterans.

Stouder said the event in Sweetwater “nicely complements” the Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association event.

The Fisher House Foundation provides a “home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and veterans medical centers. To date, they have served more than 277,000 families, provided more than 6.5 million days of lodging, and saved more than $320 million in lodging and transportation costs.

HonorAir Knoxville is a voluntary program dedicated to honoring East Tennessee military service personnel who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam wars. The program is designed to provide service members an all‑expense paid one‑day trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the monuments built to honor their sacrifice.

Despite the rain, Schlenker was the top shooter on the CNS team. While he has been a competitive shooter in the past, he enjoyed the format of this program that was designed not only as a benefit but also to provide an opportunity for shooters of all levels.

Kisling added, “It was a pleasure to represent the company and be able to make the other team members look so good.”