Safari Club hits new high with veterans’ awards

My legislative career has had many highlights, successes and failures; however, I have always been partial to those issues that protect and preserve the rights of Alaskans to enjoy our great outdoors.

The traditions associated with Alaska’s wild places and the fish and wildlife that inhabit those reaches are extremely important, not only to a majority of the Alaskans living here, but to my family. My husband, Curtis, is a pilot and avid outdoorsman. Our children and grandchildren are inextricably tied to the many outdoor activities Alaska has to offer. It is for these reasons I have always been a staunch supporter of Alaska’s outdoor heritage.

You can imagine that with the sentiments expressed above, I was thrilled to be invited once more to the Alaska Chapter of Safari Club International’s annual Hunting Expo and Sportsman’s Banquet. If you haven’t been to this event, I highly recommend you attend, especially if you support wildlife and the age-old human traditions of hunting, fishing and trapping.

I have had many proud moments in my career as a senator for the Mat-Su region of our state. Many of those moments were afforded to me as a sitting representative of the people and range across a whole host of public issues. On the outdoors front, I am very proud of the recognition I received from groups for my efforts on their behalf protecting their Second Amendment rights and the right to access and use responsibly Alaska’s precious fish and game resources. The National Rifle Association’s Defender of Freedom Award has a prominent place on the walls of my office.

I have attended the Alaska Chapter SCI’s banquet before, and this year’s affair was as prestigious as those from past years; however, this year’s affair included the initiation of a new program I believe put this year’s banquet on a new level. At the start of the dinnertime ceremonies Alaska Chapter President Ron Haberman introduced one of the chapter’s board members to present the first-ever Disabled Veterans awards.

Alaska Chapter SCI advertised throughout the nation to disabled veterans who have proudly served our nation, letting them know that with the submission of an essay on hunting they would be entered into a contest, the first prize being an all-expenses-paid African safari. The winners of the contest were all introduced to the audience and brought on stage for the presentation of awards made by U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.

Along with the African safari, a bison hunt and two fishing trips were awarded to four very distinguished veterans. At the announcement of the first winner, everyone in the audience stood and remained standing throughout the ceremony. This awards program is a first for any SCI chapter in the world, and I am sincerely grateful to the hardworking volunteers of the Alaska chapter for giving such recognition to those who serve our country with honor, and in the course of doing so sacrifice so much so that the rest of us remain free.

I don’t believe there was a dry eye in the crowd as Senator Stevens handed out the awards. At that moment, I was particularly proud to be an Alaskan, and I will remember that night as one of the proudest moments of my legislative career. I know Alaskans care about this land, but I cannot think of another group that has shown greater leadership in the stewardship of our resources and such compassion through its many humanitarian endeavors.

The Alaska Chapter SCI will be moving to Anchorage’s new convention center next year and I expect it will double the size of its yearly affair. I know I will be back again and again, and I hope to see you there.

State Sen. Lyda Green, R-Wasilla, is president of the Alaska Senate.