ROGERS (KFSM)-- A squirrel hunt is being held Saturday (Jan. 23) at the Benton County fairgrounds in honor of a local marine killed in Afghanistan in 2010.
The organization "Wings For Our Troops" is hosting the event. The non-profit was founded by Cpl. Chad Wade's parents shortly after he died. Wade was killed by an improvised explosive device only five weeks into his deployment.
"I can't imagine him doing anything else," His mother Tami Boyett said. "Even with the outcome what it was, I can't imagine him doing anything else."
Boyett said the group raises money to pay for flights home for soldiers before and after deployment, or if a family emergency were to occur. She said the squirrel hunt idea was brought up because Wade was an avid hunter.
"When his buddies came up with this idea of a squirrel hunt, I have to laugh because it even sounds funny to say it," Boyett said. "It just was fitting."
She said 2014 was the first year for the event. She said they had 55 teams participate. This year, they have had 70 teams pre-register and people wanting to participate can still sign up Saturday morning (Jan 23) from 5:30- 8 at the Benton County fairgrounds.
Tami said she thinks her son would be proud of the non-profit and would have loved to join in on the hunt.
"I really think he would look down and be like 'you go, Mom,'" Boyett said.
More information on the squirrel hunt can be found here.