The 2016 Patriots Challenge hosted both Patriots and Heroes on September 17th for the annual open championship to raise funds and awareness for Veterans programs offered by Outdoor Freedom Network.
The annual event allows veterans to fish for cash and prizes in the Heroes Division with no entry fee while anyone who supports our military can fish the Patriots Division and help to support fishing programs for veterans.
The weather was hot and muggy with temperatures in the mid 90's and low wind conditions. Teams reported a frog bite that lasted into the day while others reported fishing Texas rigged plastics from 2- 10 ft of water that produced most of the reported catches.
In the end over 90% of the teams weighing in had their five fish limit with John Maddox and Jeff Wise leading the pack with 27.17 lbs.
The father son team of Peter and Joseph Bruener took second place with a 22.36 lb limit and since Peter is also a Vietnam Veteran they took top honors in the Heroes division and with it the $1,000 first place prize. Third place went to Cody Wise and Cory Smith with 21.27 lbs and the big bass was caught by Bobby Addison, a 8.71 lb beauty.
The tournament also reminded all in attendance about the price of our freedom with Michele Scuito the Lufkin American Legion 113 Post Commander honoring and remembering our POW/MIA's with a missing man ceremony.
Seven Vietnam Veterans were honored for their service and sacrifice as part of the events commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
Gold Star father and the custodian of the Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial on display addressed the crowd about the loss of his own son and his effort to honor and remember all of our Texas Fallen.
Everyone in attendance gave a standing ovation to the special guest of honor 97 year old World War II Veteran Bill Morgan of Broaddus, Texas who served at both Iwo Jima and Okinawa during the last battle of the Pacific before the Atomic bomb forced the surrender of Japan.
Special guests also included members of several Houston based veterans charities including NextOp and Combined Arms organized by project manager Tim Wyatt a wounded warrior who after participating in OFN past events wanted others to learn about OFN's "small things great love" concept in providing therapy, rehabilitation, rest and relaxation for veterans in need. The group also included Carl Salazar the director of veterans affairs for the city of Houston and board member of Combined Arms.
Outdoor Freedom Network is a 501 (c) (3) public charity that operates many fishing related programs and events including the Patriots Challenge Fishing Tournament Series to help raise money to host military members past and present for free stays, food, guided fishing trips, rest and relaxation on beautiful Sam Rayburn Lake. All profit made at these weekend series tournaments directly benefit military members, their families and other worthy causes in the Deep East Texas lake area. Outdoor Freedom Network is the 2015 recipient of the American Legions National Award for "Enhancing the Lives of the Disabled". For more information about programs and events go to www.outdoorfreedom.net or call Terry Sympson at 936-872-9266
