“I used to fish a lot before I got hurt”, said one of Soldiers as he was helped onto one of the bass boats. The excitement was visible on many of the young faces that were present on that cool morning last Oct. on Lake Bastrop.
The all lined up, single file military style at the registration table waiting with anticipation for the pairing up for a day of fun and festivities. No going to rehab today was overheard, and many were grateful for the break. This was to be a “welcomed distraction” for most of them.
We had 18 of Americas hero’s in attendance that day. One of things that struck me the most was that the majority of them were so young. I made my rounds throughout the day asking each of about their service to our country. All were so proud to be serving and doing their duty. Many of them were on their way home, being medically separated from the Army or Air Force. They were going back to resume there “before lives” and hoping that they would fit in. Strong young men and women now with disabilities returning home to the unknown.
Many of them with now with “back problems”, missing limbs, or injured extremities and PTSD. (post traumatic stress disease). “Sometimes a smell will make me think I’m back in Iraq”, said one of the soldiers. “Mostly though its loud noises or flashes of light that trigger it.”
I used to park close to places because I was in a rush and did not want to have to walk to far but now I find myself wanting to be able to without hurting” said another soldier who then walked away with his cane. He was injured while on patrol in Iraq.
One of the female soldiers commented to me that she was making the Army a career and could not wait to get back to duty because her “unit needed her.” FYI this female angler came in 2nd in the “Smallest Fish Award”. “it was a hard fight” she stated with a sheepish grin. “I had not been fishing since like forever” she stated. “I had a blast and can’t wait to do it again!”
Our first place winner of the Smallest Fish Award was a young man named Morgan. He fished hard all day. Caught about 30 panfish but continued on to the last minute trying to catch the smallest. I caught up to him and his partner, Karl Adkins, a member of Canyon Bass Club of San Marcos and a Lunker Share Angler on the water. “He was a man on a mission” Adkins replied. “Morgan was in it to win it!” and he did. He was so proud of that win.
We had a Vietnam War Vet who also fish with us. He won one of the rods that were donated by Castaway Rods and he was like a “little kid in a candy store”. He had an unshakable grin on his face when he boarded the bus to go back to BAMC.
Yet another, a Sgt. who won a “one of a kind” Ole Glory Save Phace Mask that was Donated by Jerry Wright CEO/founder of Save Phace. His fellow soldiers kidded him about the mask. They told him that he didn’t even have a boat. His response was “I may not have one today but I have a start with my mask and besides you don’t have neither!”
All in all it was a great day with laughter, fun and tears and good food. I had forgotton how much young folk can eat. We went thru 60lbs of ground beef, thanks HEB Bastrop, 100 franks, thanks Sonic of Bastrop, cookies, donuts, chips, 3 cases of drinks, etc. I want to also personally thank the following: Soldiers Angels for their generous donation. We were able to get t-shirts made for the Captains and all the Soldiers and volunteers. To the wives that made those fantastic treats-thank you.
To my sponsors who when asked delivered. Castaway Rods-Gena CEO, Save Phace- Jerry Wright CEO, Smelly Jelly-Mike CEO, Snag Proof-Connie, Secret Weapon Lures-Joe CEO, AnglersWaypoint-Renee CEO, Stand-up Baits-Joey, and for those that I did not ask, I’ll get you next year.
To Bob Jett for allowing me to be part of this, to the volunteers from the Canyon Bass club of San Marcos, (don’t say anything but they are a really nice bunch of guys) to Capt. Rondi, LCRA for providing us a safe and dry place, to LtCol retired Telese and to the Boy Scouts who manned the bbq pit and made those great hamburgers and hot dogs! To the countless others that remain behind the scenes I know that these “hero’s would want me to say HOORAH for a job well done.
Here are the names of our “hero’s” that were in attendance:
James Montgomery 13.74lbs BIG FISH 5.19lbs, Matt Cooke 2lbs, Jarred Page 11.88lbs,*Allison Ausmus 20.21lbs (winner), James Van Hoose 8.24lbs, Kimberly Bawkin 5.24lbs runner up for smallest fish .12oz, Keith Royster 7.1lbs, Jason Good *catfish 13.72lbs speices award, Tom Brawdy 8.89lbs, Jay Fondren 15.8lbs, Robert Walker 9.4lbs, Morgan Garrnet *5.41lbs winner of smallest fish .03oz, James McClintock, Damon Sadowski 10.68lbs, Charles Cooper, Eric Synder *5.19lbs tied for big fish, Al Telese 10.99lbs, Rick Preston 11.33lbs.
PHOTOS BY REEL SHOT PRODUCTIONS.
