Trident Armory Standby to Fly Initiative raising funds, support for veterans

HAMPDEN — The Trident Armory Standby to Fly Benefit Match is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday through Sunday, June 2-4, at Hampden Rifle and Pistol Club, 286 Meadow Road.

A raffle for a Traeger Ironwood 885 is underway; tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at standbytofly.org. Ticket sales end Monday, May 1.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Travis Mills will attend the opening ceremony of the Trident Armory Standby to Fly Benefit Match at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 3, in Hampden. Christina Wnek photo

This is the fifth annual event hosted by the Trident Armory Shooting Team and the nonprofit it started, the Standby to Fly Initiative. This event started in 2019 as an opportunity to raise money for Maine-based, veteran-supporting nonprofit organizations. They combine the competition shooting sport called United States Practical Shooting (USPSA) with raising money for U.S. veterans, according to a news release from Molly Lovell-Keely with the Travis Mills Foundation.

In the last four years the organization has donated more than $150,000 to nonprofits, including The Windy Warrior Project, House in the Woods, Maine Veterans Project, The Summit Project, and K9s on the Frontline.

“In 2023, The Travis Mills Foundation is the beneficiary of the event with a goal to raise $100,000,” said Zac Greenier, president and founder of the Standby to Fly Initiative. “Through donations from companies within the state of Maine and across the country, as well as an incredible volunteer network, we hope to reach this astounding goal.”

The event will include food from Hampden Veterans of Foreign Wars, smoked meats donated by local companies, vendors and more than $20,000 in donated items that will be available through a silent auction and raffles.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Travis Mills will attend the opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

“If you want to meet a truly inspiring individual, and hear his story of heroism and determination, come to the opening ceremony,” Grenier said. “If you want to see some of the best competitors from across the country involved with the action packed sport of USPSA, enjoy some great food, camaraderie, and help us raise money for veterans, don’t miss this event.”

For updates and raffles leading up to the event, follow the Trident Armory Shooting Team on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Standby to Fly Initiative, visit its website.