Take a Soldier Fishing

Hello all. I guess I will be the first to start this off if they will have me.

My wife and I run a non profit public charity called Combat Warrior Crisis Network. A department of our organization is www.takeasoldierfishing.com . It is pretty self explanitory and if you would like to offer your boat to service members and take them fishing then please feel free to post your offer. The site is open to any service meber from any branch that has ever raised their right hand for our country. Please do not limit yourself to just fishing though as there are many ways to to tell a service member thank you wether its by hunting or golfing or raising money to send a family to a major theme park. There are so many different ways to say thank you its crazy. At least this way you know where your money or donation is going.

If you like this idea or program then please feel free to donate. If you have product or a service that you wish to donate then please feel free to contact my wife or myself. Since we are a public charity we can offer you a 100% tax deduction for your donation.

We are currently in need of operating capital.

We are also looking for Fly Fishing equipment and Fly Tying Materials to support one of our representatives that is currently teaching soldiers from Ft. Hood how to tie flies and takes them fishing to catch fish on their own flies. He does this on his own and with his own money. I would like to help him as much as we can to keep his program going.

We are currently offering decals for a $5 donation.

The decals are $5.00 each for the 9" x 3"
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...m/DSC_0476.jpg

We can do a custom order decal of any size or color but you will need to contact us for a price quote.

The decals that we have are high quality, silver vinyl. They are great for your boat, truck, car or anything you wish to stick them on. They are not like a bumper sticker but are individual letters. Here are some more pictures.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...m/DSC_0487.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...m/DSC_0490.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...m/DSC_0492.jpg

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or my wife.

mike@takeasoldierfishing.com
dena@takeasoldierfishing.com

If you wish to donate to this great cause then please go here!
Thank you for your support!

http://www.takeasoldierfishing.com/b...sp?FORUM_ID=89

Welcome to the site, and thanks for helping the soldiers, too many are forgotten.:clapping:

thank you ledhead. I have found it to be my therapy. I love the smiles and the endless stories, that is what keeps me going. Have a good night. Mike

Hello Mike and welcome to the site! :HappyWave:

I wanted to take this opportunity to speak a little about Mike Nashif, SSG. Our members may not know this, but he is one of the first people to promote the "Take a Soldier fishing" program.

As I understand it, he started his website back in 2001, and copyrighted the original idea.

Prior to that, I'm sure that several people wanted to help our returning, active, and disabled soldiers.

However, in many instances there were fractionalized systems in place. One guy in one state, helping a few, and getting recommendations. Another few guys in another state, helping here and there. And so on.

All the people involved in the efforts to help make the lives of returning soldiers better, all the way back to WWI, should be commended.

They all did things that 90% of us were not aware needed to be done.

Mike, as I understand it, was one of the earlier pioneers in this movement. It was through his incentive and efforts that a national, centralized registry was established and organized to take these ideals to the next level - to bring this gift of fishing, or help, to all soldiers who were interested.

As I understand it, in the last few years, there have been many organizations, websites, and groups that have gotten involved and branched out on the local level all over the US.

That's a beautiful thing - that so many individuals of different backgrounds could come together and decide to start grassroots movements to help our soldiers.

All these volunteers, and their participants, helped to create goodwill and fellowship that stretched beyond the US military bureaucracy.

This fellowship of different citizens from different backgrounds has helped thousands of soldiers have a few hours or a day away from the stress of being soldiers and protecting our country.

So I again salute all who have made any effort toward helping soldiers. :thumbsup: :clapping:

The reason I got involved is that I mever met Mike, but through his posts and communications, I have seen him to be a humble guy. I believe him to be fully committed to his "take a soldier fishing " goals and putting the good of the soldiers above all else.

He has managed to do this while he has had 2 deployments as active military.

To me, this is amazing. I know for me, running this website takes up tremendous amounts of my time. I salute Mike for being able to keep it running while he was deployed. It must have been incredibly tough.

I have been to his website, and it seems to me pretty straightforward -- you join the forums, post an interest in taking a soldier fishing, and he or they contact you to set the trip up.

Granted, sometimes it seems like it makes more sense on a local basis, and that's probably why so many grassroots organizations and websites have decided to go forward on their own.



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However, after thinking about it and reading some of Mike's beliefs, I think his centralized idea makes sense for the following reasons:

1. Organization and efficiency -- As more people get involved, different folks can offer different things, such as money, or donating supplies or fishing equipment for these soldiers to use. I think a centralized location makes more sense for these goals.

2. I can't speak for him, but I think he would be willing to link up with sites all over the country and provide a more efficient flow of information, thereby ensuring that more guys got to go on fishing trips.

3. Some have questoned his motives, and that's understandable for any person running a site where money is accepted.

My only response to you is this: If you have any doubts about him at all, go to his site, look at the testimonials, read the stories of people he has helped, and then make your own decisions.

4. Growth in target activities - he has mentioned not only fishing, but hunting, and other activities. Anyone who can help soldiers enjoy a few hours or an afternoon participating in any outdoors sporting activities should contact him with ideas and suggestions.


Here is a guy -- a soldier -- whose big dream it was many years to help his fellow soldiers in as many ways possible. I am honored to speak up for his site, and will try to help him any way I can.

To that end, I know how some websites are picky about mentioning other websites, competition concerns.

[I would invite anyone who reads the message here to go to other websites and put a link to Mike's site:

www.takeasoldierfishing.com on those sites.]



I am asking you to not include links to this site in this instance.

Just explain the program, ask if people are interested in helping, and paste the link directly to Mike's site.

I cannot thank our soldiers enough for the effort and sacrifices they make to keep our country and people safe.

Thank you all for reading this, and a giant "Thank you!" to Mike and others for their efforts.:clapping: :clapping:

Thank you for the kind words. Now that we are a non profit organization and people see the scope of my wife and my dream they want to get their hands into it and call it their own. By all means you can. Start your own chapter, the only thing that i am asking of you is that you use our site to organize it. That's it. Thank you for the support. Feel free to ask me any questions that you have pertaining to our site and our mission. Thanks Mike

Thank you for all you have done for our soldiers, Mike. It must be tough being deployed and running things at the same time. I visited your site, looks like you have helped a lot of people. Thanks for your service, and keep up the good work.:clapping:

I would like to invite anyone who was interested in this thread to go to the Take a soldier fishing website.

http://www.takeasoldierfishing.com

All organizations need contributions to keep them running and help further their goals. Combat Warrior Crisis Network is no different.

Although I am still researching all they have done, I can encourage others to go their site and conduct their own research.

If you are not able to personally participate in taking a soldier fishing, your tax-deductible contribution can still help to make a difference. Look at what they have accomplished thus far, and make your own decisions. Thank you - bunkerjoe

Combat Warrior Crisis Network legally became a non profit on August 1, 2008. Take a Soldier Fishing has been around a while. Right now our biggest contribution that we have been able to accomplish is the Ft Hood fishing program. In short we take 40 soldiers at a time to different lakes across Texas. We just completed our 7th trip this year at Lake Lewisville near Dallas. The surrounding communities have come together to show these soldiers support and put together a great event. Our biggest problem so far with these trips is securing transportation for these soldiers on a regular basis. Recently we have been told that we can no longer use government transportation for these trips because it is not "official business". Everything else has come together nicely. Our goals with this program is to be able to expand to other military installations and create programs for their areas as well. This allows soldiers the opportunity to get out of their rooms and away from base. If we can keep one soldier from thinking about suicide or from thinking too much about their deployments then we have done our job. We have also been told that we may have even found an alternative medicine for PTSD rather than taking more pills. Our first intention was just to take these soldiers fishing, it has become so much more to these soldiers. Thanks Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fisterfam

Combat Warrior Crisis Network legally became a non profit on August 1, 2008. Take a Soldier Fishing has been around a while. ...

. If we can keep one soldier from thinking about suicide or from thinking too much about their deployments then we have done our job. We have also been told that we may have even found an alternative medicine for PTSD rather than taking more pills. Our first intention was just to take these soldiers fishing, it has become so much more to these soldiers. Thanks Mike

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My uncle was in Nam, doesn't talk about it much, but a lot of guys who came back then were effed up in the head.

Any program that trys to help this is a cool one, thanks.:clapping:

Looks like a very good program, nice work.:thumbsup:

Thank you and we are trying!! Having been deployed 2 times myself, I understand what these soldiers go thru on a daily basis. Whether its by themselves or with a spouse. If I wasn't married to a stubborn woman that loved me more than I love myself then I wouldn't be married or living the dream of helping service members. The Ft. Hood fishing program is just the beginning.... Thanks again Mike

Hey Joe, this is a c&p of threads I have been starting on the sites I belong to. Per your request, there is no mention of your site in it, just a direct link to Mike's site.

I did put in my e-mail in case any active duty soldiers in this area are up for a night of surf fishing.

Great idea, great site.:clapping:

________________________

Just putting it out there in case anyone is interested. There are quite a few programs out there, but this guy started "Take a soldier fishing" back in 2001 and copyrighted it with the intention of making it onto a nationwide program.

The guy, Mike Nashif, is an active-duty soldier.

He runs this program as a national legally recognized charitable organization to connect people who want to take soldiers fishing with active-duty soldiers who are home on leave, or want to go fishing.

If anyone wants to join or register, or send a contribution, they can go to www.takeasoldierfishing.com

and check it out for yourself.

They have forums for each state. (When you get to that area, just click on your state, and let them know if you want to volunteer time or service taking soldiers fishing)

There are other programs around here that have developed and run with Mike's original idea, and that's cool. But I registered at Mike's site because he is a soldier helping fellow soldiers. He has had 2 active-duty deployments while he was trying to run this site, and it's amazing all the resources and support people have given him once they have seen what he's about.

As for me, I don't have a boat. But I can offer to take any active duty soldiers coming to the NJ area out for a night of surf-fishing. I can't promise any fish, but I will run your asses ragged at the most reliable spots I know and give you a decent shot at getting a fish.http://stripersurf.com/forums/images...es/biggrin.gif

Active soldiers can contact me at striperholic@yahoo.com if you have an interest.

Thanks to all the soldiers who are keeping our country safe every day, freedom isn't free.http://stripersurf.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

Thank you DarkSkies! Very nice and our goal is to spread the word just as you have. If we can get the word out to the service members then the boaters will follow. We are working on the service members from our end thru MWR and the different Public Affairs offices. Eventually it will get there! Especially with support like this. Thank you very much. Mike

Great work there, Mike, keep it going!
Dark, nice gesture on your part as well.

DarkSkies - You have been busy! I see your posts all over the place now. Please send me an email with your address in it. We are going to send you a free decal just for your support/efforts! Thank you very much. We don't have much to give but every little bit of support that we get from people such as yourself goes a long way! Thank you.

I would also like to mention that Stripers and Anglers is now on our sponsors page as a supporting website! Thank you BunkerJoe and the people of this site!

Mike

Just saw this and wanted to say I think it's a very cool thing. Soldiers defend our country, some give their lives, and may not come home. Freedom isn't free. Thank you Mike and the others for all you do.

Bump for the soldiers, thanks for all you do and the sacrifices you make. :clapping:

Joe,

So glad to see that you are promoting this. It really seems to have taken off for the organizers of this wonderful program.

Thanks To Corporal, Soldiers Heal By Going Fishing


Joel Thomas
ARLINGTON (CBS 11 News) ―
http://llnw.image.cbslocal.com/24/20...ersfishing.jpg At the Fishing and Hunting Show in Arlington, where consumers shop for the tools to land a trophy fish, one man asked for donations to help soldiers reel in their lives.

Fort Hood Army Corporal Alexander Armor takes soldiers, physically and emotionally wounded in combat, fishing when they return to the United States.

Professional fishermen volunteer their time and equipment to the program called simply, 'Take A Soldier Fishing'.
"Without the support of the community and individuals none of these trips would work," Armor said. "But we've had an outstanding response. And it makes these soldiers realize how much people do care. And it gives them a therapy. Being outdoors helps them."
Cpl. Armor set up a booth to collect donations at the Fishing and Hunting Show. Nestled between vendors selling hunting and fishing supplies, Armor's booth had a simple computer screen with a slideshow of photographs. There are images of deployed soldiers in camouflage uniforms posing as a group, many with the somber weary faces that come from combat.

As the slideshow continues, the image fades and is replaced by a picture of men standing on a boat holding a long stringer, with several fish hanging from it. They are smiling and their eyes sparkle.

Armor says the fishing trips have a huge impact on people, even on a soldier who hadn't smiled and hardly spoken for six months after his return from combat.
"As soon as his foot touched that boat you saw a grin crack on the corner of his lip," Armor said of the demeanor of the soldier. "And we drove by him later on the water and he was grinning ear to ear and he was laughing, talking to these people, reeling in nice little fish. And from that day on he's had a positive outlook on life. He's smiling every day. [It's] all from one fishing trip. It's a way to remind them they're human. Remind them that the world isn't out to get them anymore. And that they can actually enjoy and live their life."
In 2008, 'Take A Soldier Fishing' took more than 300 soldiers on fishing trips.

Take A Soldier Fishing is a non-profit organization and can be reached at 678-779-5700.

http://cbs11tv.com/watercooler/Take.....2.905156.html

I have been busy and have not had a chance to post this. Basically letting you guys know Mike Nashif has been thinking of creative ways to help wounded soldierrs other than fishing. I thought it was pretty cool, so I'm passing it along. :clapping::clapping: for Mike, his wife, and their group. I'm listed on that site as someone who will take solders surf fishing in NJ, so hit me up if ya know an active soldier who wants to go when we start catchin some fish in the Spring. :D


"Here is a video I made for Independence Fund and CWCN. I have also included pictures of the recent bike ride to deliver the free bikes to the wounded soldiers that Independence Fund raised money for. We rode almost 30 miles to deliver the bikes to the soldiers. It would have been a whole lot easier to put them in the back of a pickup and dropped them off. What is the fun in that??? Enjoy and pass it around. Mike"






pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/fistfam/Fthoodride

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Attachment 5457

I'm glad you guys are doing this here. There was a thread on another site, it started out decent, but then it deteriorated when Mike came on and explained he was the original guy who started these programs and copyrighted his program. Now there's nothing wrong with other programs, as far as I'm concerned they should be in every state if that's what it takes to increase contacts to take the soldiers fishing. That's what it's all about isn't it? These guys came in and criticized this guy, Mike, just for talking about his program. There is so much judgement and critisizm sometimes that you get sick of reading the posts. Great job, guys.:thumbsup:

Here's the latest update on the TASF Program and Mike Nashif, guys. They took a bunch of soldiers and their families to a hockey game. From the pics, looks like they all had a great time. WTG, Mike and crew! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

A little about the event:

Working along side Patrick Sowers and Operation Once in a Lifetime we were able to take 40 soldiers and some of their family members to the Dallas Stars Hockey Game. The dinner at Hooters in Plano was donated by Hooters as well as the hockey tickets that, for some, was their first hockey game ever.

The families were set up on the Sterling Hotel in Dallas where they were picked up by a 34 passenger bus and a wonderful bus driver Ronnie. The bus was donated by Wynne Sedan & Limousine who has pledged their support for CWCN Hooters and the Dallas Stars have pledged their support for Operation Once in a Lifetime.

When you put the two of our organizations together....the soldiers and their families will have a memory of a lifetime. For more information on the programs offered like this please visit the following websites and learn more and how you can get involved to change a life. Thank you, Mike Nashif

Attachment 6369

Paralyzed vets group enjoys day of fishing


By Henry Miller • Statesman Journal
September 3, 2009
By Henry Miller • Statesman Journal • September 3, 2009

DEPOE BAY — "Should I make a grunting sound when you're reeling it in for me?" Toney Marx said jokingly as he wrestled with permanently half-clenched hands to hand off the bobbing fishing rod to Scott Shelton of Albany.

Shelton, Marx's longtime friend and fishing assistant, grinned as he cranked up the black rockfish. No sound effects needed.
You get a lot of that kind of humor when you're on a half-day ocean charter fishing with members of the Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America. About half of them, including Marx, are in wheelchairs.

He's the president of the OPVA, which is headquartered in Salem.
"They got me by doughnuts," Marx said jokingly about his elevation to the post. "They said, 'We've got an apple fritter. Want to come to a meeting?' So I did ... and they made me president."
It's been more than a decade of shopworn jokes, rockfish and crabs and helping the "Coasties" from the Coast Guard station lift the wheelchairs onto and out of his boat, said skipper Darrell Hobbs of Tradewinds Charters Depoe Bay.

"Let's see, I got this boat in '96, and it the year after that," Hobbs said about the three to four trips a year chartered by the OPVA on the 50-foot Kadaho.

It's a dedicated group of anglers, he added.
"I tell you what, I've only had one or two trips canceled," Hobbs said, that despite high seas, drenching rain and roaring wind. "It's a great bunch of guys, it really is."
The ocean and weather were not a problem on this trip, the last of the season.

The ocean was almost pond-like as the Kadaho motored north, dropping off 10 crab pots en route to a rockfish reef about three-quarters of a mile straight out from Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City.

The Oregon Paralyzed Veterans go to bat on disability claims and lobby and fight for people with disabilities on issues such as access and opportunities.

But outings such as fishing and hunting trips and competitive sports from trap and rifle shooting teams to wheelchair basketball are a way of showing the disabled that they can get back in the game.

"Our biggest thing is to get people out of their house," Marx said. "Don't use your disability as an excuse not to get involved.

"It comes down to one thing; it's ability, not disability. Our goal is making a difference that lasts a lifetime."
Making a difference for people such as Steve Hickam of Salem.
"This is the first one I've been on, because I've been to sick to go on one," Hickam said about his multiple sclerosis.
He was with his son, Joe, 14, who held dual titles as both the luckiest and unluckiest angler on board the Kadaho.
Joe caught the biggest fish of the day, a massive, toothy 31-pound, 6-ounce lingcod.
On the flip side, he also was one of the few anglers on board who didn't buy into the winner-take-all big-fish side pot for $5.
"It was a hitchhiker; that's what we call it," said first mate Gene Stump of Toledo.
Hickam had hooked a rockfish, and the lingcod had grabbed ahold of it, tenacious as a gila monster all the way into the net, Stump explained.
Thanks to some quick net work, Hickam got a two-fer. Both fish made it onto the boat.
His young age didn't spare the youngest angler aboard from a little verbal abuse, though.
"He brought that with him when he came on board in his backpack," one offered. "I saw it."
"It's not real. It's inflatable," another offered.

It was the boat ride with the group for Bill Gray of Coos Bay, despite participating in other OPVA-sponsored sports.
"This is my first time down," he said, then smiled. "On a day like today, you can't beat it."
Another Navy vet and avid angler who owns his own boat, Paul Dahlke of Gresham, said he was on the fence for awhile before giving the half-day fishing trip a try.

"I've know about it for awhile, but it took me awhile to commit," he said. "I haven't done this since I was a kid.
From skiing, sledding and snowmobiling to whitewater rafting and boating, if someone wants to try it, the OPVA will try to make it happen, Marx said.
The baskets began to fill with rockfish.
"One more spot," Hobbs said, maneuvering the boat for one more pass before heading back for the crab pots.
(3 of 3)

Two, no three, more black rockfish were hoisted over the side.


"It just goes to show that we can do anything," said Bob Brush of Lakewood, Wash. "But I think a lot of people are afraid to test the waters."
One thing that you find out when you end up in a chair is that you can't take anything for granted.
"Every day's a gift," he said. "You don't put off anything anymore."
And you find it hard to feel sorry for yourself when you watch one sporting event in which the guys in power chairs were so disabled that the only way to maneuver was a "sip-and-puff" controller using your mouth and air pressure, added Jack Howell of Newberg, the OPVA sports director.
They were using their chairs to play a full-throttle version of wheelchair rugby known as "murder ball" at the national games, Howell said.
"It makes you think 'nothing's wrong with me,' " he said, adding, "I figure the more I do, the less I think about my problems."
Howell's story, like many aboard the Kadaho, was not without a touch of irony.
The military decorations stickers on the back of his chair included a Purple Heart.

"I was wounded twice in Vietnam, but that didn't put me in the chair," he said. "A motorcycle accident did."
He thought for a minute.
"Actually," Howell said. "I think I do more now than I did before I was hurt."


http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps...=2009909030334

I got this e-mail from Mike Nashif, a member here who's involved in the "Take a Soldier Fishing" program. Mike, I just wanted to thank you and your wife for all you do, God Bless you and your family :thumbsup::thumbsup::




Hello everyone. Some of you may get this email a couple of times due to the way that my Outlook is set up, please forgive me. Our operations are based next to Ft Hood and this tragedy hits very close to home. For anyone that has a passion for the military men and women this type of thing hits hard. Especially if you know someone that is stationed here. I am sending out this email as a way that you can make a specific difference in the lives of the victims of this shooting. We are asking for monetary donations to directly help the families that are affected. There are a number of organizations that are showing support and we all know that the holidays are coming soon. Some of these families will be without someone, making it even more difficult. Children will need gifts, turkey dinners, Christmas dinners and so on. You get the picture. If anyone of you know who I am, you know that I hate the need to be RE-active VS. being PRO-active but here we are as the picture unfolds before us. The fact of the matter is there are families that now have someone missing and they need our support. Forget the media for now and they why and the how come and let's band together and make a difference. Together we can make a difference in these soldiers and families life. They were brought to the war front prematurely and without being armed and no one ever says that is bound to happen...but it did. Now is the time to be reactive and help who we can right now and let our soldiers overseas know that America is still behind them no matter where they are.
Please pass this email around to all of your friends and to their friends and so on. Please donate to help this effort so that we can help these families. This is what we are about -- SOLDIERS HELPING SOLDIERS --
Please keep these soldiers and their families in your heart and prayers.
We will be accepting donations to support the families in the aftermath to help them pick up the pieces and help them move forward. When making a donation please annotate "FT HOOD" on the donation.
For PayPal or Credit Card you can go here:
http://www.takeasoldierfishing.com/donate.asp
If mailing a check please make the check out to:
Combat Warrior Crisis Network
3450 FM 1829
Gatesville, Tx 76528
Together we can make a difference!
Mike Nashif
Founder/President




Respectfully,
Mike Nashif - President
Combat Warrior Crisis Network
www.combatwarriorcrisisnetwork.org
www.takeasoldierfishing.org
www.takeasoldierhunting.org
Freedom Isn't Free!

Bump for Mike Nashif and the Take a Soldier Fishing program. He's now branched out into other services for returning soldiers, among them the combat Warrior Crisis Network.

Mike is the one guy who originally created this concept and the first to make it into a national program. There have been others inspired by Mike's ideas as well. But without Mike and his relentless promoting of these programs, I estimate there would be a lot less national interest in programs like this. :clapping:

You can check some of them out below:

Combat Warrior Crisis Network
www.combatwarriorcrisisnetwork.org
www.takeasoldierfishing.org
www.takeasoldierhunting.org
Freedom Isn't Free!

I'm registered on Mike's site as someone who will take soldiers out for a night of surf fishing.

This is just a reminder for Mike's site, and a further offer to take active duty soldiers out in the night surf while the fishin is good now.

I could also offer to take a disabled Veteran or handicapped Vet night fishing at the Keansburg Pier in Keansburg, NJ, my treat.

Thanks to all Vets for your service to our country. :clapping::clapping: :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Contact me through the site's e-mail if anyone has an interest.

Here's the latest news from Mike Nashif and friends....

Take a Soldier Fishing The Official Newsletter

Welcome to the Official Newsletter of Take a Soldier Fishing. We have grown over the years to the point where we think it would be best to now offer a newsletter to our faithful and Patriotic followers on a monthly basis to those of you that wish to keep abreast of things that will be going on with TASF. Periodically, we will send out information that has to do with helping Soldiers with certain issues such as VA help or information regarding the AW2 program for our Wounded Warriors. If you have information and would like to share it please send us an email. We would be happy to pass along the information in the next upcoming issue. Please send your suggestions to info@takeasoldierfishing.com


TASF Sam Rayburn October 2, 2010

http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs079/...229/img/58.jpg
Above, you see our soldier and his boater, Frank Polley, with the winning fish for the day. This mini lunker won our soldier a custom made fishing pole with case and a Quantum KVD series reel worth over $600!

Take a Soldier Fishing's schedule is quickly coming to a close, but not before a couple more Fall events. This year we made the decision to move one of our annual events from Toledo Bend Res. to Lake Sam Rayburn.

We were able to bring in 30+ soldiers and family members from both Ft Polk, LA and Ft Hood, TX. Most of our soldiers arrived by bus from Ft Polk and the families that joined us for the weekend came from the Ft Hood area. We had great food provided by Smith International and Halliburton for our Friday and Saturday evening suppers. Everybody enjoyed the wonderful weather and the fun day of fishing as well as Kampfire Karaoke, Pong, and cards as the evening drew to a close.

If it weren't for our volunteer boaters, then TASF would be a bunch of bank fishermen. Thank you to all of our boaters, not just this event, for taking the time to give these soldiers and their families a day to remember. We understand what you have to go through in order to do this and how much it can cost. It truly is your hearts and time that help set TASF apart from other organizations. Thank You!
I would like to send out a thank you to our sponsors for their continued support of this event.

Shell Oil Co., Baker Hughes, NOV Brandt, Check 6, Smith Bits, Halliburton, San Augustine VFW, City of Broaddus, First Baptist Church of Broaddus, San Augustine County, IESI, Donny Dickerson, Weatherford Gameco, Weatherford Casing, Subsurface Tools, EnviroChem, BJ Services, MI Swaco, Gulfstream Services, Circulation Tools, Jackson Hill Marina.

<A name=LETTER.BLOCK10 rel=nofollow>TASF Montauk, NY October 10, 2010

http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs079/...229/img/68.jpg
This is the 2nd year that John Vanneck of Rye, NY has organized an event off Long Island, NY. John approached me a couple years ago wanting to know how he could get involved, he had some time, friends with boats and some military contacts. We helped him get together all the right paperwork, helped him get the word out and helped him gain sponsors. It is hard work putting one of these events together and bringing it all together for one glorious day. This year the event had to be rescheduled due to a tropical storm that pounded the East Coast with heavy rains and wind with high waves. It was finally rescheduled for October 10, 2010 and they were able to take 30+ soldiers out for a day of fishing. Below you will see a picture of 1SG Marc Maynard with the biggest striped bass of the day, stretching the scales at 40 pounds.
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John has been learning along the way of all the things that could go wrong - will, and things that should have been done - aren't. Keep up the good work and hold your head high because you stand out among the crowd as one of our coordinators. As the rest of the world reads about taking soldiers out for a day of fishing, you have made it happen. Thank you to all of the sponsors that helped make this a day to remember for these soldiers. I also want to thank the boaters that participated. I know that all or most of the boaters participated in last years event as well. Great job and keep up the great work!
<A name=LETTER.BLOCK11 rel=nofollow>TASF Naples, FL September 16, 2010

This is the first year that we have had a sanctioned event in Naples, Florida. I was contacted by Capt Mike Prescott about wanting to do something for the soldiers and with the help of Nancy Loyd, Roland Martin and a handful of others, the event was a smash success.
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They had 53 soldiers attend the event from Mc Dill AFB. The local fire department brought out several fire trucks and hung the flag from their extended ladders.
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Roland Martin took time away from his busy schedule to break away and go out fishing with our soldiers.
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The out pouring of support from the surrounding communities made it possible to make this entire trip free for all of those that attended. Thank you! With out your support and efforts this organization could not exist.

Battle of the Branches Set for 2011

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We are excited to announce the first annual "Battle of the Branches" bass fishing tournament set for fall of
November 12- 13, 2011. The tournament's primary purpose is to raise money for wounded soldiers and their families. The other purpose is to show case Sam Rayburn and areas of deep east Texas. The tournament will be a two day event with anglers competing for a two day total weight (10 legal bass) to win the big prize of $20,000 and bragging rights for their branch of service.

Each angler that participates must be a Veteran of one of the 5 branches of service - Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, or Air Force - and you must provide a scanned copy of your state issued DL or ID card along with your Military ID card or your DD214. This will help us make sure that all of our participants are Veterans and have served our country.

The entry fee for the Battle of the Branches will be $150 per team. At the time of registration, anglers will be asked to pick the branch of service that they wish to represent. It will also create that ever-burning spark of rivalry between the branches. Once the prize payout money has been raised, we will then be able to use the entry fees collected as our fundraiser. In short, if we have 100 teams participate, we will have raised $15,000 to help start other TASF events across the country.

We are actively seeking sponsorship for this tournament and if you would like to become a sponsor please contact Mike Nashif. We have various packages available to meet your companies budgeting needs. Remember, ALL of the money raised goes to help Veterans and their families in some way and your contribution is tax deductible.

Prize money is not guaranteed at this time and will be based upon the amount of sponsorship dollars raised.

For more information, to sign up, or view the rules you can visit www.battleofthebranches.org

DONATE!

If you click the PayPal Donate button you will be asked for a contribution of $10. What we are asking from you is to contribute $10 each month that we send out this newsletter. We aren't like some of the bigger nonprofits that spend most of their money on advertising, we spend your donated dollars on our soldiers. This newsletter - donated. The website service and database - donated. Everything that you can see or read about for Take a Soldier Fishing has been donated in some way.

If every person that reads this newsletter donated $10 each month, we would be able to help soldiers with the holidays, a light bill, maybe a mortgage payment or car repairs. Most of all, you could help keep one Soldier from committing suicide or hurting someone else by supporting our events.
Along with a monetary donation you may have something in your garage or a closet that could fit into our spectrum of support. Please check out our "Wish List" of items that we can use here at our National Headquarters. What we are unable to use at HQ will be packaged up and distributed to our Sanctioned Events across the country.
Check it out!


TASF "WISH LIST"

Only two Defining Forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your Soul and the other for your Freedom!

Mike Nashif
President/Founder

Take a Soldier Fishing

If you have a question or comment related to helping soldiers and you would like consideration to have it posted, please contact our staff. You can send an email to us.

For information on how you can set up a sanctioned event for Take a Soldier Fishing and get it listed on all of our media sources please send us an email.

If you are interested in advertising on our website with a banner ad for $500/year please send us an email as well. We can create or use your ad and place it where it can be seen by our 20,000+ monthly visitors.

Send all emails to info@takeasoldierfishing.com

Thank you for being part of something much bigger than we are!

Only two Defining Forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your Soul and the other for your Freedom!

Mike Nashif
President/Founder

Take a Soldier Fishing


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As today is Veteran's Day, a special thanks to all soldiers who have served our country, whether in Active or Peacetime duty. Your sacrifices are greatly appreciated. :clapping: :thumbsup::thumbsup: :HappyWave:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Mike Nashif and friends.... :HappyWave:

Take a Soldier Fishing The Official Newsletter

Welcome to the Official Newsletter of Take a Soldier Fishing. We have grown over the years to the point where we think it would be best to offer a newsletter to our faithful and Patriotic followers on a monthly basis so you may keep abreast of things that will be going on with TASF. Periodically, we will send out information that has to do with helping Soldiers with certain issues such as VA help or information regarding the AW2 program for our Wounded Warriors. If you have information and would like to share it please send us an email. We would be happy to pass along the information in the next upcoming issue. Please send your suggestions to info@takeasoldierfishing.com



TASF Lake Texoma November 20, 2010

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With the last event of the season already complete, I am proud to say that we have had a very successful year. During our last event we had 34 soldiers attend our Texoma Striper fishing event. 10 Striper Guides from all over the lake donated their time to take these men and women out fishing for the day. Fishing was considerably tough - even for the guides that do this for a living - but fish were still caught. The local VFW and American Legion posts both stepped up and hosted the dinners for the soldiers for Friday and Saturday evening. The
warm welcome and how everyone worked together was almost overwhelming for some of the soldiers. In all the times I have talked about these two organizations, it seems that they can agree on one thing...take care of our soldiers. Despite the VFW and American Legion being rivals when competing for local support, it is at one of our events that they seem to put their differences aside and extend a welcome hand to our younger Veterans. There were several donors that were involved with making this event run smoothly. Jerry and JoLean Dorsey were the masterminds behind this event and they were able to get their local church involved and community together for this special day. Harold Ferguson with Harold's Inspection Service was the kingpin for this event with his contributions. Tanglewood Resort also deeply discounted the rooms that the soldiers stayed in for the weekend and their staff showed their appreciation with exceptional service as well. Thanks so much to all of those who helped make this event a huge success.

Just wanted to mention Mike's program to those who might not be aware of him, his wife, and all the good they do....Thanks Mike! :HappyWave:

Looks like a very cool group and proud to be helping their fellow soldiers.