Three dozen veterans connect with volunteers and nature while sharing their stories via annual event

​The Orangeville Manor offers more than a place to stay for veterans who have fallen on hard times since their service for our country. 

“The manor saved my life,” said U.S. Army veteran Dominick Fils in an interview for the Daily Item’s coverage of a recent fishing, food and fun gathering for veterans hosted by the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association. “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.”

But that work requires partnerships, support and awareness, which is what inspired Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association board treasurer Walt Bingaman to offer a fishing and picnic experience for the veterans a year ago.

“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.

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.”
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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.

“I feel free out here,” he said in an interview for a Milton Standard-Journal article.

Most veterans in the program have dealt with homelessness since their service. In fact, one was just admitted the night before the fishing, food and fun day with only the clothing on his back. 

"I made sure he got one of each of our T-shirts and other freebies, all thanks to some great donors," said Bingaman.

The biggest need heading into the event was transportation for more veterans, and the support Bingman was able to secure from numerous donors led to an opportunity for participants to travel in style via a limo bus.

Theresa Komara, owner of Our Orangeville Manor and ALC Family Care, said her personal care homes serve about 60 veterans. The homes are contracted through the VA to take in homeless veterans.

“We help them meet their basic needs,” she said during a Standard-Journal interview at the event. “It’s important to know the community does care about them. The community coming together is great.”

Komara said her personal care homes have various needs throughout the year which community members can assist with. Currently, she said the facility is renovating all of its rooms and could use assistance. For information on ways to help the facilities, call 570-683-5951.

"One of our main goals is to inspire stewards for our waterways," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "That means we need to show people the value of clean water and both the recreational and therapeutic opportunities that come with it so that more step up as advocates for our river and its tributaries."

Those stewards aren’t just kids or family units, but can include individuals of all ages and backgrounds, he added.

"Our veterans make a very good voice to encourage efforts to clean up waterways, especially as people who have sacrificed so much to protect our country and the rights that include pure water and clean air," he said.

It was an experience that benefitted more than just the veterans who attended.

“These guys,” said Ken Lenig, who then took a moment to compose himself before sharing more. A volunteer from the campground, Lenig offered golf cart rides around the property while listening to the veterans' stories. “They’ve done so much and they have such powerful stories to tell. It is impossible not to listen and walk away without feeling the impact and emotion.”

Komara agreed the overall experience will be a lasting one for many of those she serves.

"Thank you for all that you provided to ensure their fishing success. Watching them engage with nature and celebrating their catches created lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come," she said. "It was a peaceful day filled with laughter, storytelling and moments of reflection, providing much-needed respite and joy to all participants."

Key sponsors and partners that helped make the day possible included the United in Christ Lutheran Church and Thrivent Financial Services, which covered the meal.

It also included the Central PA Limousine company as well as the masonic lodges of Orangeville, Elysburg and Berwick, the Wingshooting Warriors Event and Beagle’s Bed and Breakfast owner Reid Beagle.

Other key sponsors included Clark’s Wiggly Worms of rural Middleburg, the Central PA Wesleyan Campground, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Joe’s Flies and numerous individual donors.

This event also functioned as a soft launch for the Paddling Patriots program developed by the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association at the Montour Preserve thanks to an R3 grant from the PA Fish and Boat Commission. This ongoing effort to connect veterans to our waterways includes a fleet of kayaks and fishing poles that will soon be available for use (at no cost) by veterans who don’t have access to their own or struggle to transport such equipment. This functions directly with the adaptive kayak launch project by the association last summer.

Consider donating toward efforts such as this and other opportunities to engage veterans through our waterways and inspire more stewards at this link.

Check out the full story and photos by Rob Inglis, of The Daily Item, of the veteran’s outing here: Veterans enjoy a day out in nature through partnership | News | dailyitem.com

And read the Milton Standard-Journal’s coverage, compiled by Kevin Mertz, here: Embracing the great outdoors | Local News | standard-journal.com