On The Cover April 2025 Western Outdoor Times

Please Note - Articles and information will be added throughout the month. We welcome readers input on each article. Thank you. - Publisher

The Three Servicemen statue and flagstaff were added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1984. The statue depicts three American servicemen and the things they carried. Sculptor Frederick Hart's goal was to create a moving evocation of the experience and service of the Vietnam veteran.

As Hart described the sculpture, "The contrast between the innocence of their youth and the weapons of war underscores the poignancy of their sacrifice. There is about them the physical contact and sense of unity that bespeaks the bonds of love and sacrifice that is the nature of men at war...Their strength and their vulnerability are both evident."

The base of the 60-foot flagpole contains emblems of the five services of the military. On it flies the American flag and the P.O.W. M.I.A banner beneath it.

This issue is dedicated to those men and women who answered their nation's call, believing that theirs was an honorable mission. Many were killed, went missing in action, or returned home to the hateful demonstrations by those who had opposed the war. Missing for them were the embracing words: "Welcome home and thank you for your service".

Although some of our readers are too young to remember this shameful reception (or even the war), others of us do and are committed to never letting the omission of gratitude for the service of our military occur again.

God bless our veterans and God bless America.

PORTS FOR APRIL

DOWNSTREAM (pg2) - April is for remembering Vietnam vets.

BOATING (pg4) - Dog+ human + water make a perfect day.

TACKLE & TARGET (pg9) - Arizona Big Game Super Raffle raises funds for Wildlife.

LAND CRUISING (pg14) - Anderson's head for White Pocket.

WESTERN WILDLIFE (pg17) - AZGFD Officer Helps Fawn.

DON'T MISS THESE - VISIT YOUR GREAT OUTDOORS

National Parks - The outdoors honors, heals Veterans.

Remembering - The late Austin Deuel's art framed Vietnam. Don't miss Deuel's Even God Is Against Us.

Women Can Be Heroes - Nurses knew the horrors of war too.

IMPORTANT DATES

April Fool's Day: April 1

Palm Sunday: April 13

Passover Begins: April 14

Good Friday: April 18

Easter: April 20

Earth Day: April 22