Matt Marks was born and raised in Lincoln Park, Michigan. His family of 5… mom, dad and two siblings…
lived in Lincoln Park until Matt joined the Army at the age of 20.

Matt joined the military because he had been working a variety of jobs and felt like he was going
nowhere. He wanted something more but didn't know what it was. In September of 2005 he and a
friend he worked with talked about joining the Army. He and his friend met with a recruiter but didn’t
think about it much after that. One day he had the inspiration took the plunge… he signed up and went
home to tell his family that he was leaving for the Army in two weeks.

When he left for basic and began to adjust to the military lifestyle, he realized that he had found what
he was looking for and what he needed.

The date was October 2005. He attended basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. After basic he was
stationed at Ft Carson, CO where he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division 2nd BSTB. While he was
with the 2 nd , they were ordered to Iraq. He fought in Baghdad from October 2006 to January 2008. After
Iraq the 2nd was reflagged to 4th Infantry Division. In 2009 orders came down for the 4th to deploy to
Afghanistan. Matt served in Afghanistan from May 2009 to May 2010. While in Afghanistan, he was
awarded a purple heart for injuries sustained during a mission trying to gather information on a terrorist
cell in the 4 th ’s area of operation.

Matt served in the Army for 7 years. He has never been married. He is currently in a journeyman’s
welding program. His interests include golf and motorcycling.

Bucket List Dreams sponsors Veterans to participate in the annual ‘Purple Heart Hunt’ at the famous
Legends Ranch. Matt’s name was suggested by another Veteran. BLD consequently selected Matt for
the 2024 Hunt. The Hunt will be held during Labor Day week. We want to wish Matt a successful hunt
and hope that he has a fantastic time. We want to thank him for his service and wish him the very best
of luck in the future.

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.