Jackson Hill Marina had a lot of activity in the past few weeks with many special guests including some of the biggest stars from the FLW pro tour, but none more special than two disabled veterans and their caregivers from the VA hospital in Dallas. "When we knew that they would be coming in on the Monday after the FLW Elite Pro fishing tournament we contacted some of the guys we knew to see if their schedule would allow them to stay an extra couple days to help out." said Terry Sympson from Jackson Hill and founder of The Patriots Challenge. "When Kellogg's Elite Pro Dave Lefebre one of the top bass anglers in the world said that he would love to help we were really excited". He added. Local tournament pro Dean Perkins from Broaddus also helped to make the two days of fishing fun, exciting and memorable.

"We knew that our guys would have fun but had no idea what a great time it would be for all of us" exclaimed Danielle Michael CTRS VA hospital Therapist. "We caught catfish, crappie and bass, saw Bald Eagles, four alligators and we ate the best food ever". "Thank you so much for the opportunity to come down and fish with our amazing vets from Dallas! So many laughs and good times were had, and it was ABSOLUTELY relaxation therapy for all of us". she added.

It all started out Monday afternoon with everyone boarding a pontoon boat with volunteer fishing guide Dean Perkins taking the whole group out to one of his favorite catfish holes where everyone got into a mess of cooperative channel cats. That evening cow boy rib eyes with all the trimmings greeted the hungry anglers. Tuesday night was fish night and with the pressure on to help catch dinner Veteran's Hance and Kenny and Therapists Kaitlyn and Danielle managed to get a mess of crappie for chef Terry to prepare.

That afternoon everyone loaded up in bass boats and took to some nearby coves that immediately produced some hot Sam Rayburn largemouth action. "Both Danielle's boyfriend and my husband were so jealous when they found out we were fishing with Dave Lefebre in the Kellogg's tournament boat" said Kaitlyn Moore CTRS VA hospital Therapist. He didn't believe I was catching so many fish until I sent him the pictures".
" We are truly blessed to have people like Dean and Dave do so much to help make this event special" said Terry Sympson. "We also would like to thank our food supplier Ben E Keith foods for donating supplies for this event as well as others we have had. They always come through for us and we are truly grateful".

Patriots Challenge is a program of the Outdoor Freedom Network a 501 (c) (3) public charity operated by Terry and Connie Sympson of Jackson Hill Marina. The profit raised by holding the Patriots Challenge fishing tournaments is used to help support events to benefit Military members, Veteran's and their families.

You can see the entire photo album at www.facebook.com/jacksonhillmarina or to get more information on Patriots Challenge you can go to www.patriotschallenge.com or call Jackson Hill Marina at 936-872-9266.

Pictured below: 

VA patients, caregivers and volunteer boaters enjoy a big juicy cowboy rib eye steak dinner courtesy of Patriots Challenge.
Lucy the Jackson Hill boat slip fishing dog points to the right spot while disabled veteran and official camp cutup Kenny tries to catch dinner.
Kenny, FLW pro Dave Lefebre, Hance and Danielle show off some of Sam Rayburn’s green treasure.
VA therapist Kaitlyn Moore shows off a fat 4 lb bass that she tricked into biting her plastic lizard.