Today I had the honor of fishing with Corporal Justin Gaertner of the United States Marine Corps.
Corporal Gaertner (Justin) is 23 years old and lost both of his legs above the knee in an IED explosion while serving in combat in Afghanistan.
Justin and I fished the lake in Fox Creek Farms. We appreciate so much Mr. David Myatt allowing us to fish there, and Mr. Will Odom setting it all up for us!
We hit the lake at about 8am this morning and were only able to fish until about 1pm so Justin could catch his flight back this afternoon. But we still managed to catch around 25 fish, up to around seven pounds. Our fish came on bladed jigs, LFT Flippers, crankbaits and lizards.
Justin is a super great guy that has given up so much while serving his country so that people like you and me can do what we love to do. I want to say a special thanks to Corporal Gaertner for everything he has done!
Justin has not done much bass fishing and I hope that I taught him a little something about it, but I know that he has taught me something about life.
I have had the opportunity to fish with many Elite Series and FLW Tour Pros, but fishing with Justin today was the biggest honor of my young fishing career.
Here are a few pictures of our day.

Very nice

You have a great heart. And myself being a Marine. I salute you for taking this fine Marine fishing. Good luck in your career

Great job Kent
Thank you for your service Justin

Outstanding news. I'm so glad there are people out there like yourself with the ability to do such a great thing for our Troops. Thank you for supporting our Wounded Warriors.

Typical jarhead, trying to eat the thing raw!!! . Helluva thing you did for him and I appreciate that there are guys like you out there man.

Thats awesome!! God Bless our troops and their families!

I salute you for taking this fine young man out for a day of wonderful fishing. I thank you and thank Justin for his sacrifice for our country!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for taking him out fishing for the day. My grandson talked to him at the Classic. He wanted to thank him for serving our country. A super nice young man.

Kent, you are a first-class young man. Can't think of anyone better to take that Marine fishing than you. Nice to see a young angler giving back to our sport. And thank you for your service to and sacrifice for our country, Justin!

Guys Kent is at the Skeeter plant today, so he is out of pocket and not able to respond, but I can tell you what he has told everyone else. That is that he deserves absolutely no thanks for this. Any thanks needs to go to Justin and all of the other people who have and are fighting for our freedom.

I got to meet Justin and talk to him for a good while and I will tell you that I don't deserve to breathe the same air as this young man. He has lost so much and still has a great attitude; he refuses to be called a hero.

I can't call him a kid because of what he has done for us, he is all man, but he is so young. Being the father of a son his age and one just a little younger, I could hardly talk to Justin and hear his story without getting choked up. Even now I can barely tell about him without it.

I have not met his parents and know nothing about them, but being a father I can only imagine what they have gone through. I am sure that they hurt for him so badly, but they must be so proud. I know that I am truly proud to know him; he is a great young man.

A chill went through me as the crowd at the Classic gave him a roaring standing ovation.Made me proud of my fellow Americans to honor this young man in such a way.

I got all choked up too.

Very well said, Pat. Now I need to go find a tissue.

Great report. Thank you for taking this young hero out for a day of fun.

Justin, thank you for your dedication and service to our country.

Thanks for taking him out.