Here is an update on the Ray Hubbard Take A soldier Fishing

Here are our Boaters :

John Varner (3-soldiers)
Jim W (2-soldiers)
Gene C (3-soldiers)
Bruce S (2-soldiers)
Mike O (2-soldiers)
Milt B (2-soldiers)
John V (3-soldiers)
Bob W (2-soldiers)
Joe D (2-soldiers)
Ruben C (2-soldiers)
Anthony Craig T (2-soldiers)
Andrew C (2-soldiers)
Todd T (2-soldiers)
Thomas M (2-soldiers)
Christopher L G (2-soldiers)
Terry T (2-soldiers)
Cliff Dalton (3-soldiers)
Dave B (2 boaters)
Jason (kickenbass6) Media Boat


The biggest Donation we have received is 20 rooms with 2 queen size Beds from the Hilton at the Harbor so the soldiers can sleep in style . I have been working with the promotions director and she called today with the good news

1-M Dock at bay View is sponsoring a fish fry after the fun morning of fishing.
2- Ruben has arranged dinner at Vetoni’s Italian Restaurant for all 40 soldiers.
3-Dr Pepper is sponsoring all the drinks for the fishing and fish fry.
4-Bass Pro Shops in Garland ( Rod & Reel combo, tackle bag, leatherman, pictures, ect).
5-Hooters in Mesquite is donating 10-(10 wings)
6-TNT Slabs
7-Cutter & Buck is donating some goodies
8-Bakers Ribs 2-(Free dinners)
9-O’Reilly’s is donating 40 outdoor pocket knives.
10-Jigum Jigs ( Tag-A-Longs)
11-En Fuego( 2 boxes Padron Cigars)
12- Sample House (bags & goodies)
13-Texas Air Systems ( Dinner for 40 at Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant)
14-Razoo(2) $25.00 gift cards
15-Sports City (4) $10.00 gift certificates
16-Olive Garden (1) $40.00 card
17-Posados Mexican-(2) Free appetizer cards
18-Red Lobster-(2) $5.00 girt certificates
19- bayou outdoors marsh minnows (80 bags) ( Bayououtdoors )
20- American Rod Smith- 40 visors
21-TGIF- (2) $10.00 gift cards (1) $30.00 gift card (11) free appetizers or dessert
22- Rusty Wallis Honda- 8 Honda Odyssey's
23- Ulta Beauty - Gift baskets for the lady soldiers
24-Carino's - (4) $5.00 gift cards
25- Chipotle - (4) free meals
26-Apple Bee's - (2) $20.00 gift cards
27- Glorias - $25.00 gift card
28- Ruby Tuesday - (2) $25.00 gift cards
29- On The Border - lots and lots of free desert & chili con queso cards
30- Dick's Sporting Goods - 2 rod and reel combos
31- Humdinger's and H3's

So…. It is looking very good If anybody has any ideas or can get more sponsored stuff please PM me. This is going to be fun.

You rock, dude!

Dang J.V. I wish I had your connections. Nice work!

We have 2 boxes of Padron Cigars coming!

If it were not so far I would volunteer for this. Even though I am A/F

Thats a cool deal your getting lined up!

Excellent, definitely great news!! It does look very good JV!

Awesome job!

JV for President!!

Hell, I'm Navy and I'm in like flynn - you can stay at my place in Terrell. We have an extra bedroom.

Im ex navy vr-61, nas atlanta, and HS-75. I am still trying to convince my wife volunteering is good for my career LOL..

John Iam glad to see everything is falling into place. The Hilton stepping up and donating rooms is fantastic. It sounds like the event, food, marina arrangements, beverages, all wrapped up together is going to make this a great day!!

I will be sure to mention this in my prayers for great weather, just to round out the weekend.

One of my top clients, Texas Air Systems, has agreed to sponsor the dinner on Saturday night. Varner and I will be heading up to the Harbor this weekend to talk with each restaurant, to find which one will be able to accomodate 40 soldiers on the given date. A big thanks to Craig Golden and the folks at Texas Air Systems for this generous sponsorship

No thanks needed JV4...... the pleasure is all ours. We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to do something like this for these special people. It is truly an honor.

I saw it written once, a Veteran is someone who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America, for an amount ....up to and including their life...... and all they ever asked in return was thanks.

The thanks is all mine....... see ya'll at the lake. Craig

Why don't we ask the folks over at the Hilton to let us use one of there halls and have the food brought over ?????

Greatness

Do you have enough boats for all of the soldiers?

The real question is will we have enough soldiers for all of the boats. But yes, we have enough boats and a few on reserve.

Them soldiers are gonna be stuffed after eating fish and then a big dinner looking forward to it.

I might be out of town, but if I'm not, do you need more boaters?

At this time we have enough boats... but thank you

I should have read the entire thread. Someone had already asked that, sorry.

This is absolutly one of the best threads on any message board. I come from a military family, and can tell you it gives me goose bumps (REALLY) to see what some are doing to thank our protectors in uniform. With all the one sided politics, the complete disregard for what our soldiers put on the line every day without question, the bickering and posturing for political gain, this warms my heart.
I remember when we used to go to Toledo Bend at the military camp ground when my father was stationed at Ft. Polk, LA (I was 8-12 yrs old). On several occasions I was fishing from the bank while dad was gone, and fishermen asked my mother if it was okay to take me out on their boat fishing. My mother abliged to all of them, and they were all extreemly gracious. It made my weeks sometimes when dad was gone. It sure filled a void for a day. Those are times that I will never forget. The only thing bad that happened, was my dad was jealous.

To JV and all that are putting this on, CONGRATS and a sincere thank you. I am sure you will be rewarded with the utmost respect and gratitude.
Craig,
I have heard that several times, and it is Greatness!

Harvey, I have had alot of help and luck

i am still on the reserve and waiting on the confirmation

Nice job John Varner and crew. Wish you all the best. For those of you who do not know a lot of time and effort is put into these events. Make sure you pat the guys on the back that are putting this together. You have my # John if you need anymore assistance. You might want to think about taking on the offer of extra boats to replace yours. I found that I didn't have time to fish with a soldier due to all the logistics involved in putting one of these things on. Wish I could make it up for your event. Dave

Looking good John! The soldiers are getting excited and talking about the trip! See you there if you need me call me! Thank you to all that have helped or donated to this event. The last event that was put on there was a all expense paid trip to Mexico for 3 days. It was a last minute event for us and so was the gesture. Each event keeps getting better and better. The guys are really enjoying the trips and the support that you guys are showing makes them feel proud to wear their uniform again. When I get an email from a civilian doctor that says "I support your program" because of the change that I see in my clients.... It makes me feel good to be able to help so many with a dream of mine. Now its a reality. It a reality because other people share the same dream that I do. Thank you. Later Mike

I would really like to thank all those that have helped. Without everybody this would not happen. Ruben helped me pound the pavement today

John, Got your e-mail. Thanks.

You guys are awesome!

Man oh Man!! Someone has been working hard to get some nice door prizes and goodie bag stuff!!

Got the boat cleaned out and ready - flags are mounted for tomorrow.

Nice Job!

Nice job guys I was just sure there would be a donation from Rubys place of work for fisherman

Not sure what you might have in mind Big Fish!!

If you guys think about it, throw some old hand towels in your boat. Bury them in the ice then when it gets a little hot as the morning wears on, pull them out and roll them lengthwise and place around your necks.

I hope you have a great day fishing with our soldiers, I wish I could have been there but I have to go to Seattle on Saturday and then up to Port Hardy, BC for 4 days of Salmon fishing. I love our troops but I am afraid the Salmon, this time must take presidence. I have a son-in-law in the military who decided to make the army a career after spending 15 months in Iraq and now he is trying for Special Forces. These guys have one thing on there mind "KEEP US SAFE". and they do great job and we are so proud of them. I hope we can do "Take a Soldier fishing on Lake Lewisville" I will be the first to sign up.

Have a great day and John find those fish !!!!!!

John,

Thanks for scheduling this great event. I have a wonderful time today.

Look forward to next one.

Andrew