Fish the open seas during annual Military Appreciation Day

By Michelle Butzgy
Paraglide

	Photos by Tina Ray/Paraglide Charli Daniels, 11, plays ping pong Tuesday at Tolson Youth Activities Center. Daniels, who attends Camp Geronimo, Phase II, enjoyed summer camp at the center and also participated in activities such as two-square, art, and playing board games.

Fellow Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Coast Guard members can enjoy fishing for king mackerel, grouper and sea bass with the help of an organization based out of the North Carolina coast. Military Appreciation Day 5 Oak Island will begin 6 a.m. Sept. 11. The fishing event includes fishing tackle and a ride out to the ocean courtesy of MAD boat volunteers.

The organization started when Rodney Carroll and Vietnam veterans Dan Smith and John Polosky read an article in a Wilmington, N.C. newspaper that restaurants were refusing entry to a group of Marines who had just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to the MAD website, the trio raised nearly $1000 and with the help of a donated van and a few Marines, visited restaurants to change their policy. As they spent time with the Marines, the three came up with the concept of Military Appreciation Day, a day of fishing, food and appreciation for those who serve.

The event will begin at William “Bill” Smith Park Picnic Area at 4446 Fish Factory Road in Southport, N.C. with registration. All guests will have tags naming which boat they will be on for the day.

‘Heroes’ will be shuttled to the South Harbor Marina where they will be placed on a boat for a day of fishing.

Military anglers do not have to have a coastal recreational fishing license due to a waiver granted from the N.C . Division of Marine Fisheries.

All tackle will be provided. Bring a sandwich or a snack along. Most boats provide beverages such as soda and water.

Between 3 and 5 p.m., the boats will bring the servicemembers back to the marina so they can be shuttled back to the picnic area. A meal will be held at the Oak Island Moose Lodge after fishing.

There are still a few spots left for this event, which is open to active-duty, National Guard and Reserve only.

For more information, visit MAD’s website at http://www.militaryappreciationday.org or e-mail them at info@militaryappreciationday.org.

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