Each day we wake up in a country where we are free to choose where we will go, what we will do, how we dress, how we will worship, etc. We owe those freedoms to countless men and women who have fought on our behalf and who are fighting today on our behalf.

For Gerald and I, memories of fishing with our Dads and family fishing trips are our fondest; and we carried that tradition with Gregory and Stewart. Look what it got us! Perhaps you have memories of a liftime of fishing. Maybe you had just one special day that hooked you for life. Regardless of your experience, someone probably took you fishing.

An opportunity to return that favor to the kids of our own Fort Knox soldiers is waiting for you! On August 27th, Bottomline Bassmasters will be sponsoring a day to Take a Troop's Kid Fishing. Along with the support of B.A.S.S. and the KBFN, the club is organizing a day of fun for the kids at Fort Knox. Many of them have not seen one or both parents since their deployment and many are new to the state. On this day, we want to give them the opportunity to spend some time on the water, catch some fish, learn some safety and respect for the environment; but most of all have a good time.

Some of you may have seen the article in a recent B.A.S.S.Times regarding the day. The event runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. We need lots of volunteers for this day. If you would be interested in helping in the following, please contact me:

Bringing your Bassboat out and taking some kids out
Helping kids fish from the bank
Teaching kids how to cast, handle a rod, tie on a hook, bobber, etc.
Take pictures
Help with parking and traffic control if necessary &
shuttle kids/family members around
Grill burgers and hotdogs
Donate some product or items to give away
Make a monetary donation to buy bait, food, etc.

I would like to personally challenge all of our members to contribute in some way to this event. It will be hot, but it can't possibly be any worse than sitting in the dessert in full combat gear and it's only one day. Many of us sit out in the heat to fish a tournmaent without giving it a thought. It's one day out of our busy lives to maybe make a difference for one of these kids. And, you can involve the whole family!

We have committments from Bradley Roy and Brandon Card to attend; and the Eastern KY College Fishing Team members will be assisting as well. There will be photo ops and autographs. I'd love to see our State Team Members attend this event as well. This is a great way for high school Seniors to earn community service hours and for our Junior members to become more involved as well.

Our goal is to make this event as memorable as possible for these kids and to help them miss Mom and/or Dad a little less on at least one day.....

For more info or to tell me how you are going to help; contact me at bassfishinmom@insightbb.com or on my cell at 502-645-4342. You may have to leave me a message, but I will call you back.