It was Tim
Cox and Jerry Sessions, both retired Sgts. 1st Class, who co-organized the annual
event. As Tim Cox was setting up at the Lewis' farm, Sessions was giving the
safety briefing at the Warrior Transition Battalion, Building 19750, on
Chamberlain Avenue on post. Sessions reminded the volunteers for the event,
Soldiers from the Advanced Leadership Course, Class 25Q004 and 25N003 of the
Regimental Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the reason for the annual event.
"We do this as a form of mental healing," said Sessions.
The
retired Army sergeant explained to Soldiers assigned to the Warrior Transition
Battalion and their family members that they could fish anywhere the grass was
cut on the Lewis' farm. "They have two ponds to fish in which are stocked
with bass, catfish and hybrid breams," said Sessions.
After the
safety briefing, volunteers Catherine Ashley, known affectionately as
"Granny" and Gabriele Barnett, both members of the Women's Auxiliary
for American Legion Post 192 in Evans, served hot coffee, orange juice and
donuts for those up at 5 a.m. April 30 to make the trip to the Lewis' farm.
The day
was pleasant. The Wounded Warriors traveled via Army bus driven by volunteer
Thomas James Sr., and the rest of the volunteers convoyed in their private
vehicles. At the Lewis' farm, new fishing poles stood straight and tall as
Soldiers in formation around the fence near the largest pond. A tent was set up
with a table inside filled full of assorted live bait and lures.
Charles
and Trudy Lewis greeted the Soldiers and their families. "Trudy and I
never served in the military," explained Charlie [Lewis]. "We do this
each year to give back to our Patriots." After his brief comments he
recommended the use of the bright pink plastic worms. "We have caught a
lot of bass with those worms," he said.
Once the
fishing gear was selected, Soldiers and their families chose their fishing
spots. Some Soldiers elected to fish along the banks of the two manmade ponds.
Others fished from the wooden pier or the gazebo. Volunteers prepared fishing
rods with bait for those who had never fished before and helped coach them.
Other
volunteers riding in golf carts delivered snacks, fresh bait and beverages to
the Wounded Warriors. "The idea for the day's event is just to allow them
some time to relax," said Sessions.
Fish
caught were weighed on the spot by RNCOA volunteers: Staff Sgts. Joshua Brandt,
Jason Cadieux, Geoffrey (GW) Witt and Sgt. Chester Duvall.
It didn't
take long once the poles were lowered into the pond water before the first fish
was caught. Sgt. Jimmy Sheldon of second platoon, Company A, Warrior Transition
Battalion, caught the first fish at 7:30 that morning using a pink rubber worm
as bait. The large-mouthed Bass weighed 6.10 pounds.
Fishing
continued until 10:30 a.m. when it was time for the award presentation. Before
prizes were given out Col. Robert Barker, the Director of Capabilities,
Development and Integration Directorate in Signal Towers at Fort Gordon and
guest speaker, spoke briefly. "Maj. Gen. Alan Lynn sends his regrets that
he could not be here today," said Barker. "There's no way we can
repay you," he said as he looked around to each Wounded Warrior, "for
the sacrifices you have made for your country. It's our hope you had a good
time today and we thank you for your service."
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