Fishing and Friendship
June 27, 2018 | Football, Softball, Women's Rowing, Badgers Give Back, Lightweight Rowing
Badgers spend recent morning fishing with veterans
Take a Vet Fishing is centered around fishing and friendship, but it means so much more than just partaking in a recreational outdoor activity. The day is all about giving our American heroes a stress free experience of community togetherness.
"Student-athletes bring an element of community spirit from the university," added Sherry Blanchar, co-founder of Take a Vet Fishing.
A quiet morning alongside service men and women give student-athletes a newfound perspective and allows them to see first-hand the sacrifices veterans and their family members have made to keep us safe.
Lauren O'Connor, a junior on the UW women's rowing team, shared her morning with former Marine Joel and his wife. Before an unfortunate accident that left Joel in a wheelchair a few years ago, Joel and his wife lived in northern Wisconsin spending much of their free time on a boat, fishing and enjoying time with friends.
"It feels great to do things that we used to do," Joel's wife shared. "We haven't done this in a long time."
Take a Vet Fishing, NFP honors members of the armed forces and their families by providing opportunities to connect with other military veterans and their families from all over the nation through fishing outings and trips.
"There's an allegiance and partnership to backing and supporting veterans and what they have done for our country."
Many of the veterans whom attend Take a Vet Fishing outings face symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and use the pastime as a therapeutic outlet. Fishing has shown to reduce stress and improve focus, while providing a direct channel for veterans to unwind in nature.
Blanchar and her husband, Rob, co-founded Take a Vet Fishing in 2011. As local McFarland, Wisconsin residents, they envisioned the event as an opportunity to help veterans suffering from PTSD ease their minds back into civilization.
Take a Vet Fishing began as a local venture to give back to our American heroes but has grown significantly due to the support and assistance it continues to provide veterans.
"Here we are, seven years into this. It started off with 27 vets," Blanchar said.
"We are now in four states. We're moving to Marco Island, Florida, in November and we serve probably 500-600 vets a year."
"Many of our guides are vets as well. They give back as much as they take. We did not have this vision when we started, but it just mushroomed and people love it."
Ultimately, Take A Vet Fishing is a day for veterans and UW student-athletes to create new, positive memories together. It is a chance to slow down, take a break from the fast-paced commotion of everyday life and enjoy each other's company.
"We thank you [our Veterans] so much for your service and letting us be here today," senior football offensive lineman Michael Deiter said to the event attendees.
For more information on Badgers Give Back, visit www.uwbadgers.com/BadgersGiveBack.
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Main photo: Lauren O'Connor (rowing) spent her morning fishing with Joel, Jim and their fishing guides — they caught five fish in total!
Players Mentioned
