Nick was raised hunting. He got his first bow at the age of 5 and spent every school vacation that
fell during deer season in the woods whether it be close to home in Michigan or somewhere in
the south.  

He joined the Marine Corps his senior year of high school, and shortly after graduation went to
bootcamp, SOI, and a few months later deployed to Iraq with Weapons Company 2/24 as a
Machine Gunner. Time in country was split between training Iraqi Police in a PIT unit (Police
Integration Team), running assault and security patrols and establishing a patrol base at Saddam’s
former chemical weapons facility and bunkers. 
 
After his 8 years in the Marines Nick still has a passion for hunting but has found his happy
headspace in riding motorcycles and rock climbing near his home in North Carolina. He can
usually be found scouting for game, hanging stands, or up the side of a rock face. 

Being the hunter that he is, Nick will be joining a small group of Bucket List Dreams sponsored
Veterans for a hunting trip in Texas. Thank you Nick for all that you did in the Corp and “Bravo
Zulu” (the BLD Moto meaning ‘a job well done’).

William (Will) Weir Bio

Will, is a retired Army Veteran who served nearly all his career in the infantry. He served
several combat tours.

Bucket List Dreams sent Will and his wife to the famous Legends Ranch Veterans
Retreat this past August.

Hello, My name is John Cooley. 

I was drafted into the U. S. Army in August, 1967. I entered Boot Camp in Ft. Knox, KY and
was assigned to VietNam in the TET Offensive in 1968, where I received 4 Bronze Stars among
other awards.. My rank was E4.. 

I was honorably discharged in 1969. and I am a lifetime member of VFW Post 1138 in Monroe,
MI..

I was one of the fortunate soldiers that God has blessed to bring home safely.

I currently reside in Monroe, MI with Theresa, my wonderful and supportive  wife of 48 years.

I was proud to serve my country.

John was born in Baltimore, MD in 1979. Being a Maryland native and of the generation that
grew up watching Top Gun he always wanted to be a Navy Fighter Pilot (what kid didn’t).
However, his vision could not be fulfilled because he could not meet the requirements. In 1996
He graduated high school a year early, much to his school’s dismay, and joined the Army
Infantry. Graduating OSUT training in December of 1996, he was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas.
This promptly led to a deployment to Bosnia just days after his 18 th birthday. To keep with’
wonderful timing’ he spent his 21 st birthday at The National Training Center, Fort Irwin CA. As
luck would have it his vehicle was one of the first out of the motor pool draw and he was one of
4 vehicles selected for the first “mission” on his actual birthday. He completed 4 years in the
Infantry, all at Fort Riley, reaching the rank of Sergeant before ETSing back to Baltimore, MD.

Shortly after he returned to Baltimore he began an Electrical Apprenticeship program. He now
holds a Master Electrician License and runs a small electrical company in the Baltimore area.
His time in the Army created some friendships that would last forever. Even at 45 years old,
married to his lovely wife Shayna Boyer and raising his son, Haydn Boyer, he will still get
together with Army brothers whenever possible.

Bucket List Dreams is giving John the opportunity to attend the famous Army/Navy game with
an Army ‘brother’ that was 2 beds up from me in Basic training and who is still one of his best
friends.