Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Scott Longstreet | Over 250 Louisiana Army National Guardsmen, friends and family members gathered at the...... read more read more
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MARKSVILLE, La. - Louisiana Army National Guardsmen, family and friends gathered at the rain-soaked Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area in Marksville, La., last week, for the sixth annual 1020th Vertical Engineer Company's Family Readiness Group Bass Tournament.
Despite cooler temperatures and other local tournaments, the event was a success.
"We were expecting 40 boats but actually got 52," said Sgt. 1st Class Clint E. Armand, the unit's readiness non-commissioned officer. "We had to deal with fish kills from last year's hurricanes and another fishing tournament in the Saline area. The weather was also an issue this year," the Marksville resident added.
The tournament, which was open to the public, had an entry fee of $50 per boat and is used as the main fundraiser for the unit's FRG. The unit also sold hamburger plates and bowls of jambalaya to raise additional funds.
"The FRG also put together cookbooks with recipes from the Soldiers and their families to sell," Armand said. "This year we also made event t-shirts with the 1020th logo on the front."
Military FRGs assist with communication within the units and provide moral support during times of deployment. The FRG in Marksville plans events throughout the year to bring the community, families and Soldiers together.
Local radio personality Mike Ricco of KAPB in Marksville, assisted in promoting the event.
"It is a salute to the troops," Ricco said. "This has blossomed into something the community has come to enjoy and support each and every year. This is our chance to say thanks to the families, as well as the Soldiers, for all their hard work and sacrifices."
This year's event featured free raffles for the families and the kids, with more than 70 sponsors donating cash and merchandise. Also on hand for the families was the National Guard Mobile Recruiting Office van. The MRO contains two Xbox 360 game consoles, a flat screen television with satellite, and satellite radio.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2009 11:06 |
| Story ID: | 31967 |
| Location: | MARKSVILLE, US |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 231 |
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