A bucket full of catfish and a tv camera

[pezvela]

[font "Calibri"]Sunday the big pontoon boat filled with veterans, but today was special as Ashton Goodell from Fox 13 news was aboard to see what we were all about.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]They come aboard the boat early. Each one different, but bonded together by something that those of us that have never been on the battlefield, cannot fathom or understand. They are veterans of far off wars spanning a half century. Many, like me, are old; others appear to me to be surprisingly young. These are our country’s finest, men and women who wore our nation’s uniforms into battle.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]As the boat leaves the dock in search of fish they introduce one another. I catch bits of their conversations as they talk about where they served and when. For the most part they are strangers to one another, but they know they share a commonality; they each have seen the horrors of war.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]We invite them aboard to thank them for their service to our country in the only way we know; to share with them our love for the outdoors, boating and fishing. Some have never fished, others have never been on a boat before.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]In spite of my efforts we don’t always catch a lot of fish or the most glamorous of species, but they don’t seem to mind. They are here on the water, on the boat we built for them, enjoying the day. The fish are a bonus. Those that served in the jungles and highlands of Vietnam often tell me that in nearly 50 years no one has ever thanked them for what they did.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]In fact when they returned from Southeast Asia they were vilified. These are different times as many, like us; strive to recognize their service and the price they pay to serve our country in far off lands. I often wonder if I can do more and maybe an answer will come, but for now I am proud to share what we have created with these wonderful men and women, Americas finest and their brothers and sisters in arms[/font]
[url "http://fox13now.com/2013/06/02/non-profit-gives-veterans-children-with-disabilities-a-trip-to-the-lake/"]http://fox13now.com/2013/06/02/non-profit-gives-veterans-children-with-disabilities-a-trip-to-the-lake/[/url]
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[font "Calibri"][url "http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org/"]http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org[/url][/font]

[h0yt3r]

Awesome job, and really cool that you do this for our Vets!
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Hey Steve, I caught that segment on Channel 13 last night. Good on ya.
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[RockyRaab]

I missed the segment, and just now had to go back and find your old threads - that I had also missed somehow.

I'm a Vietnam vet, unwounded except for the demons. May I volunteer to go along and help out?
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Steve is always open to help from folks that appreciate the cause and can help either with the special needs of "passengers" or with the fishing part...or both.

Shoot him a PM letting him know what you can contribute and I am sure he will welcome your participation.
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[pezvela]

As I think of all that is going on and the wonderful individuals who want to help our disabled children and vets, memories still haunt me of the late 60's and 70's when our military returned from Vietnam. At airports across the land and on the streets our men and women who served our country without questions, following orders were spit on, defiled and cursed.
Those days are gone but not forgotten by those that served then.
Today we honor and respect those that wear our nations uniform, and for that and to all of you that have offered to help, I can only say Thank you from Hand in Hand Outdoors and those of our military who give so much for our freedoms. God bless you. Steve
[url "http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org"]http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org[/url]

[RockyRaab]

Yup. We were cursed, reviled, spat on, had piss and poop thrown at us, and more. The bitter taste in our mouths lasted for decades.

Most of us have gotten over it, but vow to never let another brother be "welcomed" like that. Ever.
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[AFFamily]

I remember when I was young my Dad telling me stories of when he and his brother came back from 'Nam. Embarrassing as a NATION. Fortunately my wife and myself have experienced the exact opposite at our national airports while in uniform.

At Bangor International there's even a group of elderly citizens (yeah they're WWII old) who welcome returning troops at the gates. It's really touching. Made this 6'2 230lb man weepy.
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[FishMcFisherson]

It's completely ridiculous that people would treat our soldiers like that. If you have a problem with the war, throw poop at the government.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Kudos to the outing, and the outfitters.

Misdirected attacks by any poop flingers. The troops only followed directions, did what commanders commanded. Commendable.

It the leaders with the mixed up direction that need the poop flung at. Not like we haven't started our own wars in recent history, based on . . . "intelligence".

To all that served - my forever gratitude. Have family who have, and are serving. Make me proud, show a level of honor I can only imagine. Kudos.

[submoa]

+ 1 million
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