Quantico Injured Military Sportsman Association accepts the Spirit of Hope Award

Photo By Staff Sgt. Kathy Nunez | Since 2005, a nominee from each of the services has received the Spirit of Hope award for reflecting the selfless spirit and dedication of Bob Hope. The award was presented to the Quantico Injured Military Sportsman Association as the Marine Corps 2015 winner at the Pentagon Oct. 16, 2015. Col. Joseph Murray, the commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico, presented the award to Fred Salo, the president of QIMSA.  

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES

10.16.2015

Story by Cpl. Kathy Nunez 

Communication Directorate             

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense honored the Quantico Injured Military Sportsman Association with the Spirit of Hope award Oct. 16, 2015, at the Pentagon.

The Spirit of Hope award is named after Bob Hope, a comedic actor who regularly traveled to entertain military members overseas during World War II, the Vietnam War and the First Gulf War. In 1997, the United States Congress made Hope an honorary veteran for his selfless spirit and dedication to the United States Armed Forces.

Since 2005, each of the services have annually submitted nominees who reflect the spirit of Hope. The Department of Defense selected the Quantico Injured Military Sportsman Association as the 2015 Marine Corps winner.

In 2003, the Quantico Injured Military Sportsman Association began providing expense-free hunting and fishing opportunities for wounded warriors receiving treatment and going through rehabilitation at hospitals in the national capital region. QIMSA originally began with helping only wounded Marines, but over time began integrating the rest of the armed services.

“The hospital lifestyle was wearing them [the wounded warriors] down and the opportunity of getting them back into the outdoors and doing something that they enjoyed before they got injured was the premise of why we started the the organization,” said Fred Salo, the president of QIMSA and award recipient. “Seeing the rehabilitation and the benefits of getting them out of the hospital drove us harder to provide this service for more wounded warriors.”

Thanks to the time and effort of the sponsors and volunteers of QIMSA, the organization has held over 840 individual hunting, fishing or outdoor events.

“It’s great to be a around events like this because we get to see the camaraderie and the service rivalries,” said Col. Joseph Murray, Marine Corps Base Quantico’s commander and award presenter. “For them, it’s really neat because that’s what they miss about their military service. It’s one entire positive environment.”

Receiving the award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication put forth by the sponsors and volunteers of QIMSA who have been able to improve the quality of life for the wounded warrior community.

“The award is not going to me, it’s not going to QIMSA, but we’re accepting it on behalf of the wounded warriors,” said Salo. “We personally thank the leadership at Marine Corps Base Quantico for allowing us to be a part of the base, and we personally thank all of our wonderful sponsors in the hunting, fishing and retail industry who provide resources for the wounded warriors.”

• Date Taken: 10.16.2015
• Date Posted: 10.16.2015 17:13
• Story ID: 179149
• Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US