MERCERSBURG   

 To Whom it may concern:

My name is Brian ODonnell, I am a member at the Mercersburg Sportsmen's Association (MSA) in Mercersburg PA. I have the pleasure to be the chairman for the 2nd Annual Disabled Veteran Fishing event. We will be conducting a wounded / disabled service member fishing day at our stream. Our primary audience is disabled Veteran personnel of all US wars. Many studies have shown the combat wounded veterans as well as other veterans benefit from a day of fishing, hunting and other outdoor sports. They once again get to enjoy the camaraderie with a follow Vet that many go months or even years without. I can personally attest that after a day with fellow wounded veterans that you feel better than you do most days. The day ends with making life long friends that can be used as support for when you are going through the tough times. For the MSA to make this happen we need your support, this maybe started as MSA event but in reality, it is a whole community event to thank and help our disabled service members.

Last year we held the event, and the community support was overwhelming. We had a very nice turkey meal provided by one of the organizations, and another organization had coffee and donuts ready for the morning. We had members filet fish for the attendees and assist them stream side. We had other organization that donated supplies for fishing and gift certificates. All attendees received a new fishing pole and we had multiple door prizes and a prize drawling at the end of the event. We also had an organization there that could assist personnel that needed assistance, whether it was issues understanding how the VA works or something more serious like counseling for trauma. It may have been a small event but by the end of the day we as a community made a huge impact on their lives.

During last year’s event I tried to talk to everyone to conduct an After-Action Review (AAR.)

We received a lot of sustains. Number of fish per person. Number of attendees. (low numbers so the people fishing had plenty of room to fish), stream side assistance, and fish fileting station for the attendees. That is just a few of the sustains. All in all, everyone was extremely happy.

On the improve side there was only a few. #1 on the list was to have the ability to camp the night before so they didn’t have to drive early in the morning, # 2 Have more UTV / Golf carts to haul people if needed to and from the stream. #3 either provide coolers or instruct attendees to bring a cooler. #4. Move the date back a few weeks, reduce the chance of hot weather.

This year we plan on growing the event some and have more representatives from different organizations. We will invite the following organizations, Wounded Warrior Association, Freedom Hunters, DAV, VA outreach program, Project Healing Waters and a VA service dog coordinator. Additionally, I will also be requesting support from a certified behavior health care provider. The reason for the health car provider is if during the event someone starts to have a problem, there would be someone there to speak to. At this time, I cannot confirm any of the organizations will be there at this time. I have spoken to a few already and they are interested in attending. Some of the organizations that were there last year and plan to attend this year to assist us. The event will take place on May 18 2018. We will open the day at 0700 by offering a prayer. The Prayer will be conducted by Pastor Ryan Henderson from the Spring Run Bible Church. We will be pairing our attendees with a local volunteer that knows the water. We will continue with a small opening ceremony that recognizes the people who assisted in the event. (We will attempt to get a local newspaper to attend the opening ceremony). We will offer some coffee and donuts and then start fishing around 0800. During the event volunteers would walk the streams help anyone that needs help. We will fish until 1200. At that time, we would have lunch. After the lunch break approximately 1300 the fishing would resume. At that time all veterans and staff would be allowed to fish. Each disabled service member may bring a guest to assist them fishing and if they have time fish also. There first priority would be to help the warrior that brought them. At 1600 will mark an end to the fishing day, but the attendees may continue to fish if they prefer until dusk. Last year after lunch most of the attendees decided to leave for home since they already caught their limit. Out of all the attendees only 3 didn’t catch their limit by lunch.

A Timeline of Events for the day of the fishing event.

May 18th

0600 staff arrive performs set up duties

0645 attendees arrive and register (Address: 12143 Dickeys Run Mercersburg PA 17236)

0700 Opening prayer attendees and Guides do a meet and greet over coffee and donuts

0730 Pictures and introduction of the supporters of the event

0800 Start Fishing

1200 Head to the club house to eat lunch

1300 the formal part of our program will be over.

Attendees and staff may continue to fish if they do not have their limit yet.

1400 Clean Up starts

Things that we need to make this a memorable trip for the warriors.

 Fishing Gear (Rod, reel, fish bags, stringers, lures/baits, gear bags/tackleboxes and nets)

1. Food for Lunch, if possible someone cater the lunch if not multiple donations from different organization and use members to make and serve.
2. Prizes (Door prize for everyone and prize drawling at the end).
3. Input from you on Military Personnel that you know was wounded in combat or are disabled due to military service. Most American Legions, VFWs and AMVET have knowledge of who has a purple heart or are disabled. Local businesses it will not be quite as easy but you may already know of someone that has been wounded or disabled that works for you. I will not ask to see anyone’s DD214 (discharge Paperwork) to verify being wounded or VA disability paperwork, the people you send will be welcomed I just ask that you check for yourself that they are who they say they are. IE. Ask did you get wounded or hurt while you were in the military. If they say yes then if you are satisfied, we are too.   
4. Once you have your list of people you want to send, give me the list so I can prepare for there arrival. The list is simple Name of Person attending and a telephone number. I will need the names back to me will be Apr 15. That will give us time to purchase gifts and adjust things that requires hard number. You can also give the person my number 717-377-2283. Have them call me and I will register them.    
5. Volunteers to help with various jobs.
6. If you would like to support this event by a money donation. Send the donation directly to Mercersburg Sportsmen’s Assoc. The Address is PO Box 33 Mercersburg PA 17236. In the note section of a the check write Vet fishing.
7. If you are unable to support the event but know of individuals that would like to attend please give them my number. We will not turn any disabled vet away.  

The Next Steps:

 January 26th send out/deliver notices to local business.  

1. By March 15th receive back from different business and organization the level of support they are willing to give.
2. March 15th put advertisement into the Merchant and the Record Harold
3. March 26th Have food vendor / or staff locked in for the meal.
4. April 15th have names of attendees and their guest if needed.
5. May 17th Stock stream, set up, and final prep. Additionally, all personnel that plan on camping over night stream side will show up. They will need to contact me prior to the event and let me know they will be camping. They will need to use their personnel gear to camp.  
6. May 18th the event

Some Legal Stuff.

 The MSA is not responsible for injuries, and it is suggested that the service member attending should check with his or her doctor if there is any doubt on whether they are physically able to fish. The event should be considered low impact with most areas being flat and mowed. Wheel chair areas will be designated. Transportation to and from the event is not included. Hotels are not included in this event. A PA fishing License is not required for this event.

My contact information is below my signature block, feel free to contact me with any question, comments or concerns during this undertaking. Thank you for your time and any help you can give us.

Respectfully

 Brian ODonnell

 SFC, 19D4O, RET

 717-377-2283

 Odonnell472@gmail.com