6/14 Heroes on the Water at Port Monmouth with Pete from AB&T

[JonDevin]

6/24 Marked our third outing of this year. We took about 20 wounded warriors out kayak fishing, launching from Port Monmouth. Our events have been getting bigger and bigger and now many of the vets bring family members with them, which is key to their healing process.

The big fish of the day was caught by warrior Gene who landed a 26.5" fluke on a rod and reel that was donated by Pete at Atlantic Bait & Tackle.

The HOW-NJ chapter is only 3 years old and you'll notice we went from just a handful of volunteers and borrowing equipment to 200 volunteers, 2 trailers, kayaks for 30 veterans, fishing gear for all of the veterans and the support of many great community businesses.

Civic Duty Partners provided lunch for all 70 of the volunteers, vets and their families. Pete, from Atlantic Bait & Tackle, once again provided bait, Gulp and ice. He's been amazing supporter of ours, always giving so much and never taking anything in return. We've been trying to get him to come down and see one of the events and he came by this time. Thanks for coming down Pete. The vets like to meet the folks who make this program possible for them.

A member of a local fluke fishing organization came by and donated a rod and reel combo. We then put all the vets names in a hat and picked a winner. I didn't catch the name of the organization that provided it, but I'll find out and post it.

Lastly, I want to thank the members of NJFishing.com, many of whom are volunteers with HOW-NJ. You are helping those who sacrificed so much for us, to heal.