SF Big Dog

Good evening all,

As always .... I hope this note finds You, Your families, and your Boats ALL doing well

We have opened discussions to start the planning process for the 2015 Fishing With a Soldier event .... however, this event will be held bettween Chattanooga and Cleveland Tennessee.

We are looking for input on when to have the event ... we are also looking for volunteer boaters who are willing to take a Veteran out for a days fishing .... and all the ideas and help we can get.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Rich

[email protected]

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TNsnow

As always I will do what I can to help. Depending on the date I will try to be a boater.

SF Big Dog

Good morning Robbie,

Thank you so much. As always, we appreciate you buddy.

Rich

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SF Big Dog

Who & What is "Fishing With A Soldier"





In September 2010, I read about several groups in Texas ... all volunteers ... who pooled their efforts to put together an event day of fishing for Soldiers & Veterans, to show appreciation and give a little something back. They recruited volunteer boaters, as well as Soldiers & Veterans ... and the idea was born for a East Tennessee "Fishing With A Soldier" event.





I polled several different fishing web-sites for feed back on the idea, and Gary Harris from East Tennessee Fishing, and Donnie Gill from Tennessee Bass Fishing volunteered as event coordinators ... then, Deb McKay was recruited into the group.





We held our first event in May 2011 at Douglas Lake, and had some 40 volunteer boaters, as well as 38-40 Soldiers & Veterans.

We had numerous sponsors get on board, who donated money, custom made fishing rods, and gift cards, to be given away. Janet Parker, the female Kevin Van Damm of professional bass fishing, attended to do her part in taking soldiers out for a day of fishing.




EODT, a Lenoir City based company, sponsored the afternoon meal after weigh-in ... and the Shiloh Riders and part of the Tennessee Patriot Guard Riders, prepared and served the afternoon meal.


The event was such a huge success ... that many people encouraged us to make it a repeating annual event. Since last year, we have added three more co-chairmen in an effort to make this year and all future events bigger and better.




All unused monies raised in preparation for putting on these events, is donated to The Step House in the Knoxville area, which helps disabled veterans and homeless veterans.








Richard M Ballard

United States Army, Retired

Cleveland, TN

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BBG Marine

Rich,

I will be happy to participate as a boater and as a sponsor for this event. I hope you have plenty of participation for such a great cause. I look forward to the announcement of the date and location of this event.

Brian

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SF Big Dog

Good evening Brian,

Can't begtin to Thank you enough ... You have always been a good friend (Lend an unknown person your Lowrance chip) Remember?

Have always taken good care of me, and gave me THE best prices on things I wanted or needed for my boat ... And have always supported our event ... Again Thank you my friend .... and I look forward to shaking your hand on the boat ramp.

Rich
SF Big Dog

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SF Big Dog

THIS is one of the reasons I do Fishing With a Soldier. This message copied from another web-site.


woundedwarrior

Member
Join Date
Oct 2012
Location
Kentucky
Posts
125
#8 Today, 08:51 AM
Would you all care if I went I'm a wounded warrior and served in the marines and the army...I would like to take my boat blew up the drag motor on my Allison xb03 last year and haven't been able to replace it. That's a super nice lake Ive always wanted to go there...thank you so much for all you all do...(number removed for privacy) ask for Shane if you don't mind to call me

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SF Big Dog

Gooood morning all,

We now we have The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Bass Fishing Team on board .... they will be rolling in on event morning, with their orange UT boats .... dressed out in their UT tournament clothes ... and they will each take a Veteran out for a day of fishing.

Rich

​SF Big Dog

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BBG Marine

Outstanding !

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SF Big Dog

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