Group offers Wounded Warrior outing

Jacksonville Daily News, Jax NC ^ | September 22, 2007 - 12:12AM | JANNETTE PIPPIN

[the right reverend]

MOREHEAD CITY - Navy corpsman Cary Town returned to the Morehead City docks Friday with a 27-pound, 38-inch fish story.

The 15 minutes it took him to reel in the red snapper were growing longer with each telling.

[the right reverend]

THE DAILY NEWS/CHUCK BECKLEY

Seafaring fun: The Continental Shelf docks at the Morehead City waterfront after taking 26 members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion East out for a day of fishing Friday.

Group offers Wounded Warrior outing

JANNETTE PIPPIN

September 22, 2007 - 12:12AM

DAILY NEWS STAFF

MOREHEAD CITY - Navy corpsman Cary Town returned to the Morehead City docks Friday with a 27-pound, 38-inch fish story.

The 15 minutes it took him to reel in the red snapper were growing longer with each telling.

"It seemed like forever, because I was the one reeling it in" joked Town as he weighed his catch.

Town, a staff member with Wounded Warrior Battalion East of Camp Lejeune, accompanied 26 members of the battalion on a fishing trip hosted by a group of people whose only interest was saying thanks to those who serve America.

"My hats off to these guys for putting this together," Town said, as the Marines headed down the block for a cookout at Jaycee Park, where American flags waved in the sea breeze.

The event for the Wounded Warriors was put on by Military Appreciation Day Inc., an organization of volunteers who put together fishing trips as a way to say thanks to the troops for what they do.

"Our motto is one simple thanks, and there's no other agenda than that," said President Rich Anderson. "It's just to say thanks."

The appreciation was reciprocated Friday by Cpl. Vincent Schneider, who got hit by a roadside bomb in February while serving in Iraq.

"The charter was awesome and we had a great time," he said.

The Wounded Warrior Battalion is helping wounded Marines and sailors recover and make the transition back to their old battalions or move on in their lives in other ways.

For many, it can mean a lot of doctor appointments and physical therapy. A day of fishing is a good way to get away from it all, Schneider said.

"It's good to get up and out," he said.

While Friday's event was specifically for Camp Lejeune's wounded warriors, MAD has held two large annual events to date for active duty military, guard, and reservists from all branches of service.

MAD hosted more than 250 troops for Military Appreciation Day 2007 held in May at the Coast Guard station at Fort Macon. And while the 250 were fishing, their families were entertained with dock fishing, sight-seeing tours and other activities.

Beginning next year, the plan is to expand to two major events each year, Anderson said. The goal is to eventually see multiple MAD events in multiple states.

"Our hope is to grow this into a national event," he said.

For more information about MAD events, go to Military Appreciation Day

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Most excellent. The sun, the sea and good fellowship. Heard about this project one Friday night at WRAMC.

[freema]

Ping

[Girlene]

A day of fishing IS a good way to get away from it all! Thanks for the ping, freema. God bless our Warriors!

[ticked]

This is really nice to see. Thanks for the ping.

[the right reverend]

THANK YOU!! to all of you that stopped by and hit the donate button last time i posted MAD info this is truely a great grassroots cause

[girlangler]

Thanks for posting this reverend. The town of Kodiak, AL also gets together annually to sponsor fishing trips for the WWP.

This is a wonderful program, and I can tell you these vets appreciate this.

[usmcobra]

"I think you are going to need a bigger Boat."

" Screw that! Send in the Marines!"*

(*=Deleted Line)

[Marine_Uncle]

Always nice to read this kind of news. God bless those that are willing to help our wounded warriors.