Currently, there are over 20 million veterans in the United States. That is by far more than any other country in the world. About 20 to 30 percent (although likely higher) of these veterans are experiencing PTSD, most of which are silently suffering.
These veterans encounter daily challenges, even years after returning home from combat. They are still trying to adjust to civilian life, trying to find that job or career that gives them the same sense of pride and trying to reconnect with loved ones. Many are still suffering from guilt over events that occurred during their deployments. Survivors' guilt is real and there are many who suffer. Others are learning to deal with their physical injuries, but it is too often the injuries that we do not see that are the worst. Some of the biggest battles are the ones that are fought internally.
Here at Tight Lines for Vets, we are looking to provide that much-needed break from the daily stress. We want to build a network that allows Vets to not only know but to feel that they are not alone. We want to surround our Vets with like-minded individuals and hope to grow and foster a lifelong pursuit of fishing and healing.
Although the wars abroad have mostly ended, many are still in a daily battle back home. A great deal of them still suffering from events that occurred years ago. With that being said, all members of our 5 branches of service, who have served in a combat zone, in one of our many conflicts over the decades, are encouraged to enter the Tight Lines for Vets, drawing.
It is proven that wetting a line has some major health benefits for those suffering from traumatic experiences. There are documented results that show fishing calms the mind and nerves, allowing for a break from the daily stress. Fishing offers one a chance to interact with nature, form a new sense of camaraderie amongst other anglers, and provide our mission-driven vets with something to focus on. Wetting that line and hoping to feel that slack go tight becomes their new mission.
As founder of this organization, I too am a combat veteran that has made fishing my lifelong pursuit. Fishing has always been a therapeutic experience for me but more so after completing 3 combat tours. The calm and relaxation one can experience while on the water can do wonders for the soul. Fishing will not erase the tough situations we have faced; however, it can allow you to reflect on those situations in a calming environment. Or it can make you so focused on the mission of catching the next fish that those situations do not have time to enter the mind. I can personally say, the way I feel internally when remembering certain events while driving, working, or sitting at home, is more stressful for me than when I think about those same situations while on the water. I strongly feel more of our veterans can benefit considerably from spending more time on the water.
With that being said, Tight Lines Interior Painting is proud to announce our first annual Tight Lines for Vets fishing trip that will accommodate approximately 45 combat veterans. Currently, we have approximately 30-35 open slots. All entries will be put into a computer-generated lottery system where the names will be drawn at random. As this is our first year up and running, we are starting small with the hopes of growing in participants and events annually.
This fishing trip will be a day trip with everything you need provided. It will set sail out of Pt. Judith, RI aboard the 80ft vessel operated by the Seven B's. It will be a bottom fishing trip with summer flounder, scup, and sea bass being the main targets. All legal-sized fish will be able to be kept by the angler. On the return trip to the dock, the crew of the vessel will clean your catch and provide you with a bag of fresh fillets of your day’s catch. The trip will set sail on August 6, 2022, from 8-4. You will be provided with breakfast and lunch, all the gear and bait you could possibly need, and most importantly, a day with a group of like-minded individuals.
As many of you know, one of the hardest things for a vet to do is to ask for help. Well, we are asking for help moving this from an idea to something that can continually give back. The first thing we need help with is spreading the word and generating enough interest that we can do multiple events yearly. We are also setting up a donation page where 100% of all proceeds will be put back into the organization for future events. We are starting out with 1 main objective and 2 secondary objectives for the donations.
- Primary objective- $1500
- These funds will cover the cost of the tip for the crew on board the vessel as well as breakfast and lunch for the participants. Funds will also go towards the cost of the T-shirts that will be provided.
- Secondary Objective- $3400
- These funds will cover the primary objective while also putting a deposit down on the vessel for the next trip.
- Secondary Objective 2- $10,000
- These funds will be put into the above-mentioned objectives with the remaining to be used to select 4 combat vets and provide them with an all-expense-paid trip to a veteran's retreat.
If you feel this is an event you would like to participate in or donate to, the process is simple. To enter, simply Facebook message @Tight Lines For Vets or email your name to tightlinesforvets@gmail.com. Please include your contact info and branch of service.
We will stop accepting applicants on June 15th. Names will be drawn and announced shortly after. To donate, simply follow the link. We understand not everybody can donate, but at a minimum, please share so we can reach as many vets as possible. If you are local, we will also have donation and entry slip boxes set up at Quonny Bait and tackle, as well as, Weekapaug bait and tackle.
Thank you and tight lines!
