After returning from a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2011, life was never the same for Joe Kolaszewski. He battled internal struggles, trying to reintegrate into “normal” life—an exhausting roller coaster of emotions. For 10 years, he compartmentalized the pain, but it caught up to him. He eventually admitted himself into an inpatient program to confront the realities of PTSD. The 28 days of treatment were some of the hardest of his life—but also the most important. That experience laid a new foundation: one built on hope, healing, and purpose.

Our founder realized he wasn’t alone. Many warriors, first responders, and Gold Star families are fighting battles no one sees. In March 2024, through his outfitting business, he donated a hog dog hunt to an organization supporting wounded warriors. That hunt became a turning point—not just for the warriors we took out, but for me. It wasn’t about the kill—it was the conversations before, during, and after.

They were life-changing.

Being vulnerable and letting others into your deepest battles is hard—but it can be life-changing. That hunt proved we could make a real difference.

That one hunt sparked a mission.

He shared the idea with two great friends and now current board members. Derek and Jeremy — brothers who had walked through similar trauma. Without hesitation, they were all in. Together, we formed a nonprofit 501(c)(3) “The Iron Ridge Outdoors Project Inc” in April 2025, dedicated to taking our fellow warriors into the wilderness, giving them space to breathe, connect, and begin healing.

This isn’t just about hunting. It’s about hope. It’s about saving lives—one conversation, one trip, one veteran at a time.

Our journey is just beginning.

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