Veteran Turns Pastime Into A Profession

ELAINE BLAISDELL
Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- Charles "Doug" Harris, a double amputee who was injured in Afghanistan, used his time in the hospital not only to recover, but also to begin a hobby that is now a business.

Originally from California, Harris now resides in Cumberland. He was at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda from June 3, 2012, until he retired from the U.S. Army on?Dec. 26, 2013. His hobby of making duck and turkey calls has since grown into a small business called Grenadier Outdoors.

"Doug never ceases to amaze me. When I feel like life is getting me down, I think of Doug, his injuries, his struggle and his delight in life, and somehow whatever my issue was pales in comparison," said Harris' friend, Cathy Jones of Cumberland.

Harris has made about 50 duck and turkey calls, some of which he sent to a friend who is also medically separated from the Army. He has sent calls to a couple of local people and to an Army Corps of Engineers employee in Cumberland State Park,?Kentucky.

Harris plans to expand his business after his wedding and after his house is built, likely sometime in early 2016. In addition to making duck and turkey calls, Harris is also a hunter education instructor and recently took a job as a 911 dispatcher in Hampshire County,?West Virginia.

Harris was recently fitted with running legs, according to Jones.

"Doug has not lost his zest for life. He loves to hunt and even climbs into a tree stand," said Jones. "What an honor to know Doug and to realize his sacrifice for his country. He isn't bitter ... he has such a love for life, a great sense of humor and you will never, ever find Doug feeling sorry for himself, ever."

Harris recently gave a speech at the Ohio State Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation Partnership Hunt.

To learn more about Harris' duck and turkey calls, visit Grenadier Outdoors on?Facebook.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)