Helping wounded heroes with day of fishing
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The fifth annual Hunt for Heroes will host 50 soldiers this weekend in Palacios for a weekend of fishing and boat riding.
Soldiers participating in the event come from Carl R. Darnell Army Hospital at Fort Hood, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
“This is a fantastic way for the soldiers to get away from the hospital atmosphere,” said Billy Hodges, founder and president of the organization.
Hodges, a firefighter and Vietnam veteran, knows the importance of trips like these.
He has made it a mission to dedicate himself to help provide quality hunting and outdoor-related activities to men and women who have been wounded in the line of duty.
The weekend will be about fishing and eating, he said.
For most of the servicemen, the weekend fishing trip is their first public outing since they were flown to the hospitals, said Hodges.
“It will also be a way for them to forget about hospital treatments,” he added.
Most of the soldiers attending the event have burns and amputations from injuries while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The soldiers will start off their weekend at the El Campo Fire Department where they will be served lunch. As they depart, they will be greeted by a parade with residents waving U.S. flags.
The soldiers will be escorted by the Matagorda County Cavalry and Perry Switch Riders.
When they arrive to Palacios, the soldiers will be welcomed with another parade.
Fishing will begin on Saturday morning, he said. Soldiers will be able to fish all 14 miles worth of Matagorda Bay, he said.
Hunt for Heroes, a non-profit organization, conducts more than 40 events throughout the United States each year.
This event is a way for people to show their support for our wounded troops, he said.
The wounded heroes will be treated to a shrimp boil Saturday.