Healing Our Heroes
The 8th Annual Reel American Heroes Tournament
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The day started early, as I arrived at 3 am for the 8th Annual Reel American Heroes Tournament out of Hope Springs Marina. I checked in and got my safety vest and flashlights and headed out to the entrance to the marina to greet the arriving warriors and volunteer boaters. There was a light mist falling all the way as I drove in, and it continued as the first boaters began to arrive. A light rain came down at times, but as the dawn started to break through the darkness, the skies lightened, the dark clouds began rolling out, and hopes rose. As I walked from my post at 6 am towards the marina and the awaiting warriors, I could feel and hear the excitement in air.
I stopped at the breakfast table and refilled my coffee then made my way through the crowd, talking to everyone as I went over to the registration table and dropped off my safety vest and flashlights, so they may be used another year. I then went back out into the crowd and talked some more. My first year I knew very few people there, but as the years click by quickly, I have met and made friends with so many of the volunteer boaters and warriors. While faces change yearly, as warriors move about, and some boaters have tournaments that may conflict with this event, they always come back. For us volunteers, its not about glory, it is about giving back to those who gave so much so we, American citizens, can enjoy the freedoms we have. And the one freedom they help ensure is the ability to enjoy our passion, fishing.
The Elite pros, who take time out of their busy schedule to volunteer, are no different. They come to give back as well. One of these is John Crews, a fellow Virginian, who gives so much to this event. He has been on board for over 5 years and he goes far beyond this one day. He has been there at times when he was unable to fish because the river was off limits due to a pending BASS tournament, but did make sure that everyone knew not to mention anything about how the river was, what was working, or even where they found fish. Everyone made sure that he didn’t endanger his status for the tournament. But this speaks to how important this event is to him. This year, Caleb Sumrall, a fellow BASS Elite Pro from New Iberia, Louisiana, made the decision to help take a warrior fishing. What a true gentleman indeed. I am hoping to see him back again next year. And another regular BASS Elite Pro, Shaw Grisby from Gainesville, Florida, came to show his support by taking out a Hero. While he could not stay to the end, he made sure his warrior had an awesome day.
Then there are the sponsors who help make this event possible. Lews is a title sponsor who helps make sure that every warrior is given a brand new rod and reel combo to fish with that they take home with them. Steve Parks of Rage Tail is another sponsor. This year, Steve gave to one warrior, the opportunity to go fishing with him, all expenses paid, and the choice of lakes, including one in Mexico. There are so many others that help offset the cost of this event. From the food, to tackle (each warrior is given a tackle box filled with everything they need for the day, to keep and carry home), to those that provide on site help in addition to helping prepare everything.
And the real work is done by Ron Defreitas, the founder of the foundation and Chief Financial Officer. When Ron began his cancer treatment, his daughter Ashley Gardner was there with him and his wife Maria, and took over so many daily operations for the 100% volunteer 501©(3)nonprofit foundation. She is now the Chief Executive Officer. Her husband Chris Gardner Jr. also stepped up to become the Chief Operations Officer for the foundation. They are joined by Leslie Van Horn and Jay Nicely, both Directors. They work throughout the year putting everything together that leads to this one day, plus they also help put warriors on the water during the year through the Team RAHF, where volunteers work with them to make it happen at any time of the year, and it is not limited to just here in Virginia. Volunteers come from all across the entire country and they travel here to volunteer also. This year, I met a volunteer from North Dakota who came in just to give back to our Heroes.
After the Heroes came to weigh-in, they made their way to the amazing lunch that is provided to them. Here is where they really relax and get an opportunity to talk, about their day, fishing, and anything they want. It is here under the tent that you find so much laughter and brotherhood (and sisterhood). It is only broken up by the call to gather for the Awards Presentation.
Everyone moves over to the former check in area that has been transformed into the Awards Presentation and Prize booth. As the winners are announced, they go to the prize booth and select what prize they want. The 1st place winning team of Randy Waterman (boater) and David Rheuark (Hero) brought in 5 fish for a total of 15.77 pounds. David took home the kayak so that he could continue to use fishing as therapy.
The winner were: 2nd place, Matt Pastino (B) and John Pastino (H) with 5 fish for 14.73 pounds. In 3rd was Michael Majchszak (B) and John Henry (H) with 5 fish for 12.80 pounds. They also won big bass with 4.46 pounds. In 4th place were Angie Merza (B), Jose Merza (H) and Ira Benoit (H) with a 5 fish limit of 12.78 pounds. Rounding out the top 5 were Michael Nichols (B) and Billy Stickney (H) with 5 fish for 12.63 pounds.
While they award the top 5 teams, and do a raffle giveaway, the real winners was everyone there. No one left unhappy. The only frown was that the day was over, but the glimmer in those eyes were looking forward to next year. While we are not related, and mostly strangers, we are family. We are brothers and sisters coming together to enjoy each others company. We give from the heart and live life fully, one day at a time.
If you want to be a part of this great foundation, to volunteer to take a warrior out fishing, to volunteer to help on shore, or to donate to help make this event happen in 2019, you can go to their website and do so. Their website is http://www.reelamericanheroes.org/ and click on the donate button or contact them.
Hope to see you there in 2019 as we honor our Heroes and help them through fishing.