Take a Soldier Fishing

[Fisterfam]

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"


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.







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

[ledhead36]

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

[Fisterfam]

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

[bunkerjoe4]

Hello Mike and welcome to the site!

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.

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.



*************************
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.

[Fisterfam]

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

[clamchucker]

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.

[bunkerjoe4]

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

[CharlieTuna]

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) ―
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

[DarkSkies]

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. 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.


"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

[buckethead]

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.

[DarkSkies]

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!

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

[stripermania]

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