For nearly two decades, America's Freedom Lodge has been dedicated to helping disabled veterans reconnect with nature through outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.
Founded 18 years ago by Mark Armstrong and Rob Pierpont, both non-veterans inspired to give back, this nonprofit has grown into a thriving community focused on providing veterans with memorable, no-cost outdoor experiences.
“Both Mark and I are not veterans,” Pierpont told the Mount Vernon News. “We just knew we owed our veterans something more for the freedoms that we had. We weren’t the ones who signed on the dotted line.”
Through its ongoing efforts, America's Freedom Lodge continues to honor the sacrifices of disabled veterans by offering them the freedom and joy of the great outdoors.
Since its inception, the Lodge has hosted hunts for veterans from more than 25 states, from as far away as North Pole, Alaska, providing everything except airfare or fuel, ensuring access to the outdoors regardless of financial means.
Based in Fallsbury Township, the Lodge uses a base camp at Round Lake Wilderness Camp and often rents accommodations for fishing trips, maintaining a family-style atmosphere.
Each year, the organization hosts a range of activities, including a four-day spring turkey hunt, a June walleye fishing weekend, a week-long archery hunt in October, pheasant hunts in early November, as well as deer hunts and fishing tournaments.
Pierpont said activities are “winding down” for 2025, with an upcoming whitetail deer hunt being the lodge’s last event of the year.
“We've got four from out of state that are on the fall deer hunt,” he said. “The rest are within the state, and I believe there are, out of that crew, two Vietnam veterans coming to be on the deer hunt this year.”
By the end of 2025 the lodge will have hosted hunts for 35 veterans.
The Lodge receives most of its funds from the community but has also received grants from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the past two years.
The Annual AFL Bash at America’s Freedom Lodge is a major fundraiser supporting programs for disabled veterans.
The 2025 AFL Bash occurred on Sept. 20.
Held at the Hartford Fairgrounds in Croton, the event featured a raffle with prizes including firearms and hunting gear.
“We set up, talk about [America's Freedom Lodge], pass stuff out,” Pierpont said. “We usually set up at the Hartford Fair for the week. We get to meet veterans and hand out free stuff to the folks coming by. Our largest fundraiser, the AFL Bash, just finished up last weekend. It was the 15th year for the Bash, and nearly a thousand people were on the floor.”
This event generates roughly 80% of the funding that supports the Lodge’s mission and relies heavily on a dedicated team of volunteers.
America's Freedom Lodge is planning a family-style event at the Hartford Fairgrounds in June 2026, featuring country concerts and activities for kids, aimed at broadening community engagement. Pierpont, who grew up in southwest Florida enjoying activities like scuba diving, hog hunting and BMX racing, has spent most of his adult life in Utica where he has lived since 1986.
“I've been hunting for a fair share of my adult life, all the way from alligators and wild hogs and rattlesnakes in South Florida, where I grew up,” he said. “I really love deer hunting, whitetail hunting. My family all whitetail hunts; my kids all got in at an early age, and they were all six years old when they harvested their first deer.”
His passion extends beyond personal enjoyment. After years of hunting alongside veterans, he says hunting alone feels lonely, highlighting the deep bond formed through these shared experiences.
"When I hunt by myself after a veteran hunt, I get kind of lonely because it feels like I'm missing something when I'm in the woods,” he said.
On a personal note, Pierpont advocates the outdoors experience for all.
“Whitetail hunting is probably the outdoor sport I enjoy the most,” he said. “I'm also starting to really get a good bug for walleye fishing. I know several good walleye captains, and I like to spend the day on Lake Erie, where we reap Mother Nature’s benefits for us."
Looking ahead, America's Freedom Lodge hopes to break ground on their own lodge facility on nearly seven acres of land in Fallsbury Township by 2027, marking their 20th anniversary.
Pierpont encourages veterans and supporters to connect with the organization through their website and social media platforms.
“They can find us just about everywhere — www.americasfreedomlodge.org,” Pierpont said. “We're on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. Our IT team and social media crews are building those platforms up, so we're trying to stay current with the times.”
Interested veterans can apply for upcoming events online, while donors and volunteers are always welcomed to join the cause that has brought so many back to nature.
Participants in an America’s Freedom Lodge hunt gather after a successful day in the field, where veterans from across the country come together to reconnect with nature, build camaraderie and experience the healing power of the outdoors. (Rob Pierpont)
