The Patriots Challenge fishing tournament held on Saturday March 19th was a very special one. Ten Purple Heart recipients from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan were special guests for the entire weekend and joined in on the tournament in spite of Mother Nature's bad manners.

High winds and dropping temperatures did not deter America's Heroes and Patriot fisherman as they managed to have a productive day on the lake. In the end it was local Broaddus angler Charles Evans and Tony Hightower who managed 15.75 lbs on a day that saw Big Sam at six foot above normal pool and rapidly rising lake levels to go along with 20 mph North winds.

Somehow in the aftermath of our historic rain and flooding our hearty Heroes had a great time with volunteer boaters providing a safe and productive day of fishing. Every team managed to catch fish with the big fish brought in by volunteer boater Kevin Crawford and his Wounded Warrior partner Scott Malone, hauling in a nice 6.47 lb green girl to put them in third place for the day with 13.02 lbs.

Second Place went to Wayne Triana fishing by himself with a five fish limit of 14.05 lbs.

The Wounded Warrior Weekend was put on by Patriots Challenge in partnership with the local Wounded Warrior Association of East Texas headed by Robert "Buck" Collins who is a retired Special Forces Soldier who was also severely injured in Iraq and is the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and our Countries Silver Star for Valor in Combat.

"It is an honor for us every time we host America's Heroes" said Connie Sympson from Jackson Hill Marina, Cofounder of the Patriots Challenge. "We appreciate their service and have come to understand how much time on the water and with each other means to healing the Wounds of War" she added.

The weekend also included some unusual technology to help people with disabilities enjoy even the most extreme outdoor activities. Ben Mallon with his 600 hp airboat that is specially equipped to take up to three wheelchair bound passengers came by to offer a ride for the thrill seekers in the crowd. Many of us have also heard about the recent advancements in wheel chair technology with powered wheel chairs and Trac-chairs that can take the disabled to places not thought possible a few years ago. One of the Purple Heart guests brought his custom built Trac machine that was specially designed to accommodate this double amputee with the use of only one arm to go over almost any terrain allowing him to control every movement with a joystick.

The weekend was further complimented by The Sabine River Bend Bluegrass Band who played for everyone on Saturday evening and added so much to the success of this Wounded Warrior Weekend on Big Sam Rayburn Lake.

The Outdoor Freedom Network is a 501 (c) (3) public charity that operates 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 and their families.

For more information about Patriots Challenge and the other events hosted by OFN you can go to www.outdoorfreedom.net or call Jackson Hill Marina at 936-872-9266.