Photo By Sgt. William Begley | Spc. Jonathan Blake, Company C, 1/3 BSTB, 1st ABCT, 3rd ID, right, stands with his...... read more read more
RICHMOND HILL, Ga. – Fort McAllister hosted its fourth annual Wounded Warrior Fishing Rodeo honoring Wounded Warriors, Purple Heart recipients and Soldiers from 3rd Infantry Division in Richmond Hill, Sept. 20. The steady rain did not keep the fish from biting or Soldiers from having a great time.
The year’s tournament was dedicated to Sgt. 1st Class Ommy Irizarry, a 3rd ID Soldier killed in July from a plane crash while walking on a beach in Florida. Irizarry previously fished in this tournament. He had an affinity for fishing and the ocean.
Rhonda Gordon, tournament chairperson, has been responsible for planning all four years of the tournament.
“This year we decided to make this event in honor and in memory of [Ommy],” Gordon said.
“I remember Ommy, the first year he fished. He went offshore fishing and won second place, barracuda. It was close to a 30 pound barracuda and he told the boat captain that to be able to do that was great,” Gordon said.
Boat captains taking the Soldiers out were matched up with participants at an event the week prior at G.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill where live music, food and activities for children were available to Soldiers and their Families.
Gordon said the entirety of boat captains volunteer, and all of the fuel and fishing equipment goes to ensuring the Soldiers have a great event. Gordon said everything to produce the tournament is donated.
“Any money raised goes back into the tournament,” Gordon said.
A raffle was available for attendees to win a small boat donated by a local sponsor. All money raised for the raffle will go to the Family of Irizarry who passed away last July with his daughter.
Gordon downplayed the work and effort going into the tournament, but many Soldiers participating in the tournament saw firsthand the extent of the captains’ and club’s hard work once Soldiers returned for weigh in, ensuring the event’s future success among participants.
“It’s just us few little volunteers and this local fishing club,” Gordon said.
Specialist Jonathan Blake, Company C, 1/3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, said it was the first time he had participated in a tournament like this. He owes his successful fishing to his captain who knew where to go on the familiar waters.
“It was raining all day but the good fishing made up for it,” Blake said, who caught the four pounds, three ounces winning red drum. Blake’s battle buddies were there fishing too and he says the bragging rights may be his now.
“I’m sure if I outdid them, I’m going to be bragging for a good couple weeks on this,” Blake said, before finding out his boat took first place for red drum, sheepshead and grand slam (total weight).
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2014 09:29 |
| Story ID: | 142991 |
| Location: | RICHMOND HILL, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 130 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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