Wandering Warriors

10/19/2026

🇺🇸 Military Monday: Alaska's Abandoned Military History! 🇺🇸

If you've ever been to Whittier, you've probably noticed that huge abandoned building up on the hill. That's the old Buckner Building!

Whittier was originally developed as a secret military port during WWII, and in the 1950s, the Army built the Buckner Building to house hundreds of soldiers.

It had just about everything under one roof — a hospital, movie theater, bowling alley, church, jail, and even a shooting range!

The Army left Whittier in 1960, and the building has been abandoned for decades.

And apparently, someone decided it would make a pretty good ski run! 😂⛷️

Check out this video of a guy skiing through the old building!

https://youtu.be/gIRn7clNbg8?is=muF-j8NziAM2C8yX

Anyone else have stories about the Buckner Building?

Some people go skiing in France, Italy, maybe Switzerland - but, as...

10/12/2026

🇺🇸 Military Monday: Fundraising Update! 🇺🇸

We kicked off this year with a big goal for Wandering Warriors: raise $25,000 to help get more veterans out adventuring!

That means a safer raft, transportation, food, adventure equipment, and covering things like permits and insurance.

Since January, we’ve raised about $5,000 toward that goal! We’re so grateful to everyone who has donated and helped us get this far.

This year, we’ve taken veterans on five float trips and secured insurance for future adventures. We also currently have just over $5,000 in the bank to keep things moving!

Want to help us keep going? Come hang out at our fundraiser on November 7th at the Kasilof Eagles! We’ll have dinner, live music, a silent auction, and a chance to support more adventures for veterans.

Let’s see how close we can get to that $25,000 goal! 🇺🇸

10/05/2026

Military Monday 🇺🇸

Well, that's about a wrap on summer. All 17 minutes of it. 😂

We're starting to put away the fishing gear and getting ready for winter, but it's hard not to look back at some of the great days we had on the water this summer. Good fishing, good conversations, and even better company.

Now it's time to switch gears for winter. ❄️

Alaska vets — what are you looking forward to this winter? Ice fishing? Snowmachining? Skiing? Or staying inside where it's warm until May? 😂

09/28/2026

🇺🇸 Military Monday: Veteran Spotlight! 🇺🇸

Last week, we had the pleasure of taking Air Force veteran Matt out for a beautiful day on Skilak Lake!

We had a great time on the water and really enjoyed having Matt along for the adventure. This is what Wandering Warriors is all about — getting veterans outside, sharing some good company, and enjoying everything Alaska has to offer.

Thank you for your service, Matt! We’re glad we got to spend the day with you. 🇺🇸

09/21/2026

🇺🇸 Military Monday: Did You Know?

The Marine Corps was founded in a BAR. 🍻

Yep, you read that right.

On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the creation of two battalions of Marines at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, a popular gathering place at the time.

So while the Marine Corps has a long and storied history of battles, deployments, and traditions, its beginnings were actually pretty humble: a tavern, a few Marines, and a whole lot of history about to be made.

And somehow, “founded in a bar” feels like a pretty fitting origin story for the Marines. 😂

Happy Military Monday! 🇺🇸

09/14/2026

🇺🇸 Military Monday! 🎣

Tim got to spend some time with 42 other veterans on the water today as part of Take a Vet Fishing, sponsored by the Soldotna Elks Lodge #2706.

We love seeing programs like this! Getting veterans outside, enjoying a day of fishing, and spending time with other vets and people in the community is what it’s all about.

A big thank you to the Soldotna Elks for putting this together and for continuing to find ways to support our local veterans. And shout out to Tim’s fishing guide Garrick with Fishing Buddy Expeditions!

If you, or a veteran you know, would like to be a part of this annual event next year, reach out to the Soldotna Elks Lodge next August!

We’re always happy to see vets getting out, having some fun, and making memories. 🎣🇺🇸

09/07/2026

Military Monday: Veteran Spotlight 🇺🇸

Meet Dennis!

Dennis joined the U.S. Air Force at 18 on a soccer scholarship on the East Coast. He enlisted in November 1990 during the Persian Gulf War / Operation Desert Storm.

He was stationed at Mather AFB in Sacramento as a Security Policeman and was part of the Peacekeeper Team from 1991–1992.

He later traveled to Texas to compete in a nationwide challenge for enlisted personnel involving shooting, running, and agility competitions, where he placed in the top 15. The top 10 went on to compete against the Royal Air Force and other branches of the military.

Dennis spent the last few years of his Air Force career at March AFB in Riverside, CA. After honorably separating from active duty, he joined the California Army National Guard for two years with the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division.

Today, Dennis continues to support veterans as a Pro Staff member for The Fallen Outdoors, a nonprofit in Washington State that takes veterans, active-duty military, and Gold Star families into the outdoors for fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping.

And we're especially glad to have Dennis as part of the Wandering Warriors family. He was one of the veterans on our very first Kenai River float!

We're grateful he trusted us to be part of that first adventure, and we're looking forward to many more.

Thank you for your service, Dennis! 🇺🇸