A number of years ago, our previous pastor tried his best to persuade my wife and I into taking over as youth group leaders at our church.

One of his selling points: “It will likely bless you more than you realize. You will get more out of it than you put in.”

As usual, he was right, and his advice has been applicable to many other projects and initiatives over the years, including our events through the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association. None of these more so than the veterans fishing, food and fun day recently hosted at the Central PA Wesleyan Campground near New Columbia.

“I feel free out here,” said Army veteran Daniel Mills III in an interview for a Milton Standard-Journal article.

“This is relaxing,” agreed Carl Harner, who served as a first responder and firefighter for 45 years. “It’s getting out in nature.”

​The event, in its second year, drew three dozen veterans out of Our Orangeville Manor and its subsidiaries out of Columbia County for an extended opportunity to catch fish, enjoy a picnic meal and engage in fellowship – a therapeutic opportunity to tell stories and open up to people they haven’t had the opportunity to share with before.

“This year, several groups joined in with support for the day, which provided everyone with more time to simply talk and listen to the veterans,” said organizer Walter Bingaman Jr. “Everybody’s got a story, we want to give them a chance to tell us.”

Harner relayed while fishing how difficult it was to rush into burning buildings for decades and try to help people that were in the midst of losing everything.

“It takes a toll on you. It’s the kind of thing that can burn you out, but it also so important,” he told me while reeling in a small bass just before lunch. Holding it up, he added: “Doing stuff like this helps add some happy memories and those add up and make the harder ones easier to deal with.”

Veterans at the home, at one point since their service, have come across hard times – many experiencing homelessness despite all they gave for their country.

“The manor saved my life,” said U.S. Army veteran Dominick Fils in an interview for the Daily Item’s coverage of the event. “They’ve done great things for me. I quit drinking, I haven’t had a drink in 20 years. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Getting the veterans out with positive experiences while promoting the Orangeville Manor’s efforts and needs for continued support is a key reason Bingaman developed the idea and rallied so many new donors and opportunities this year.

“I volunteered out there a while ago, serving food, and it was obvious there was a need not only for the veterans to get out and reconnect with nature, but also for the manor to make new connections and get the resources it needs to do such important work,” he said.

Showing his appreciation and just how valued the veterans are, Bingaman doubled-down on his donor drive to add transportation so more could benefit from the day.

Word of the event spread, and Bingaman sought additional donations to secure the transportation needed for more than three dozen veterans to enjoy the day out on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Central PA Wesleyan Campground near New Columbia.

“This year, several groups joined in with support for the day, which provided everyone with more time to simply talk and listen to the veterans,” Bingaman said. “Everybody’s got a story, we want to give them a chance to tell us.”

Among the veterans to attend this year was Carl Harner, who served as a first responder and firefighter for 45 years. “It’s relaxing. It’s getting out in nature.”

​Harner relayed while fishing how difficult it was to rush into burning buildings for decades and try to help people that were in the midst of losing everything.

“It takes a toll on you. It’s the kind of thing that can burn you out, but it also so important,” he told me while reeling in a small bass just before lunch. Holding it up, he added: “Doing stuff like this helps add some happy memories and those add up and make the harder ones easier to deal with.”

It also helps break up the routine and offer a release, according to Army veteran Daniel Mills III.