FLW Appreciates Soldiers Through Tournaments

August 30, 2010
Courtesy of NGB-ASM
Arlington, VA, United States

The National Guard Outdoors Program has developed a way to give back to National Guard Soldiers and their Families through the National Guard Soldier Appreciation Tournaments. 
   
During certain National Guard-sponsored FLW bass and walleye fishing tournaments, the National Guard Outdoors Program and local state National Guard Soldiers work together to coordinate special fishing tournaments where National Guard Soldiers and their Families can spend a morning on the lake fishing with FLW professional anglers.
   
The FLW professional anglers, including members of the National Guard Pro Team, pair up with a team of two Soldiers or Family members.  The pro anglers provide the boat, rods, reels, bait and other fishing gear.  The team of two gets to learn special fishing tips and techniques from the pro anglers, and gets to enjoy a day on the water.
   
Some states put together a special weigh-in for the Soldiers, where they can weigh their fish in front of their Family and friends.  At the Soldier Appreciation Tournament held during the Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Lanier in Atlanta, GA, the teams got to weigh in the fish that they had caught, on a stage provided by FLW and The Bass Federation.  Each team could catch a limit of five fish to try and achieve the highest combined weight possible in order to win the tournament.  The local Georgia National Guard also provided trophies to the winning teams. 
   
National Guard Professional Angler Jonathan Newton was honored to be a part of the Soldier Appreciation Tournament held during the Forrest Wood Cup and to give back to the Soldiers and their Families in such a special way.

“Soldiers can fish sometimes almost as well as we professionals can; they just don’t have the opportunity to fish as much as we do, so I really appreciate them getting to go out today,” he said. “It really puts life into perspective; living in this country means something, and it really costs something to live here.”

“They really pay the price,” he added.