Two Lucky Craft Anglers Take Part in Giving Back

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (May 25, 2007) – The common bond of love for this country’s soldiers and the love for fishing led a group of former military personal to create a way to give back.

Warriors on the Water was founded two years ago by a handful of men who each served more than 20 years in the military. Last year, 59 active duty troops took part in this special event and this year that number more than doubled. Held at Fort Bragg in N.C., this Army base is known as the ‘Home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces’ and houses the 82nd Airborne Division, the XVIII Airborne Corps, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and the U.S. Army Parachute Team (known as the Golden Knights).

“This was a way to give back to the troops and let them unwind and enjoy some much needed and well deserved recreation time at home,” said Marty Stone, one of the participating national pros and a Lucky Craft pro staff member. “The group of gentleman who put this event together thought it would be great to have a tournament for these troops and provide them with a good time and the potential for some bragging rights.”

This three-day event began Wednesday, May 9, with participant registration and story telling by several of the national pros in attendance, including, Gerald Swindle, Keith Phillips, Glenn Delong, Jeremy Starks, Steve Daniels, Mark Rogers, Preston Clark, Stone and Harry Potts, a member of the infamous ‘Dirty Dozen.’ According to Stone, the outpouring of support from the community and fishing industry nationwide was “phenomenal.”

“At registration, the soldiers were given a care packet,” Stone explained. “The support and donations from all the companies involved was great, and it wasn’t only my sponsors. It took us more than two hours to give away everything and there wasn’t a soldier there who didn’t receive something. I got to see something I don’t get to see enough of, especially living here so near to the base – I got to see the soldiers smile.”

The participating troops have all been deployed at some point during their career, most returning home within the last several months. It’s a difficult job, taking them away from family and friends, but these men and women choose to serve this country voluntarily – and giving back in such a unique way makes everyone involved feel like the event is worthwhile.

“These troops are so dedicated to serving our country, and they do it with great dignity,” Stone said. “These men and women are special – they give people like me the freedom to be able to do what I do.”

After a fun night of registration and another day filled with base visits and interaction with the troops, it was time to get down to business. Friday, May 11, was tournament day and 149 boats and soldiers hit the waters of Lake Jordan, a 12,000-acre lake just below the Raleigh/Durham area.

“We met up with our partners and got it started,” Stone said. “We had at least 50 volunteers come out to support the day, and Domino’s and Pepsi donated pizza and soft drinks. It was great. We fished all day and then came time for weigh-in. It was really neat to watch these guys live in our world for a day, walking across the weigh-in stage with bags in hand. And to think, it all came together because of a group of men who wanted to give back. That’s what it’s all about.

“I think it was a unanimous feeling from all the national pros involved,” Stone concluded. “We all left with a greater sense of humility. No matter what we volunteer for, our feelings are the same, and this event is no exception. No matter what we give, we get much more in return.”

For more information on Warriors on the Water, and an inside look at the event, please visit www.ESPNOutdoors.com. Lucky Craft would like to say thank you to the pro staff members who took part in the event, as well as a special thank you to all the men and women across the nation, and world, fighting for our freedom everyday.