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Wounded Warriors Event - Thanks to our freinds in the armed forces

Posted on: Jul 08, 2008

Posted in: News From Chris

I received a great letter from John Whitlatch, one of our Pro-Staff members from Alaska. I just had to share it. John has worked hard on an event known as Wounded Warriors in Alaska to honor some of the people that have served our country in Iraq. John has done a great job putting in long hours to make this event possible and we are glad to be a part of it. Here is John’s story:
Eagle Claw recently joined with the Kenai River Professional Guide Association to honor some of our brave men and women from the armed forces. On a beautiful June morning Alaska guides and Eagle Claw Pro-Staffers John Whitlatch, Jerry Strieby, Josh Hayes, Jim McCormick, Billy Coullette, Bo Ansel, and Craig Offret, along with 34 other professional guides, shoved off from the dock at Harry Gaine’s Lodge on the Kenai River with 126 soldiers that had recently been wounded while fighting in Iraq. It was the culmination of many months of planning and the highlight of the two-day event.
The soldiers arrived in Soldotna from Ft. Richardson Army Base in Anchorage, Alaska. That afternoon the festivities started with retired General and current President of the University of Alaska, Mark Hamilton, serving as the master of ceremonies. After a short invocation and color guard presented by the local VFW, we served up a special prime rib dinner complete with Alaskan prawn skewers prepared by master chef Scott Eggermeyer. To keep everyone entertained during their meal, world famous singer, song writer, performer and Alaska’s very own balladeer, Hobo Jim, played some music for us starting with the National Anthem. Over 200 people stood, hand over their hearts and sang along ending with a thunderous applause and many teary eyes. It was a sight to behold and one that I will never forget.
After dinner and the Hobo Jim concert, it was off to bed for an early 4:15 a.m. start to fish the Kenai River for the mighty King Salmon. In the morning the soldiers were greeted with a hot breakfast served under a large tent on the riverbank. Then we loaded up and spent the next 8 hours fishing for trophy King Salmon. As luck would have it, the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game opened the river to bait that day. Fishing was hot and heavy for the first couple of hours as these fish had never seen bait before. Many nice Kings were taken during the early morning hours until the bite finally started to taper off later in the day. I have been fishing the Kenai for years and could not ever remember seeing as many smiles as I did that day.
Eagle Claw Pro-Staff Manager, Marty Riddle, was on hand from Denver to personally shake every soldier’s hand and thank them for their service. Marty and I spent the day in my boat cruising up and down the river visiting with all of the soldiers while they fished. We heard some amazing stories, ones that we will never forget, and we made a lot of new friends. A common theme that stood out was how much it meant to these men and women that we would go to so much effort to provide an event like this for them. We simply told them that Eagle Claw is an American company and that it is a privilege to honor some real Americans.
Upon returning from fishing, we had a huge BBQ waiting with fresh Salmon and bratwurst as the main course. Mark Hamilton again served as the MC for the awards ceremony under the big tent. Every soldier received a prize during a random drawing. Colt provided 3 each .45 cal. Colt Commander Pistols along with a single action Colt 1850. Alaska West Air provided an Alaskan Brown Bear hunt, and Ninilchik Charters donated a Black Bear hunt just to name a few of the prizes that were given away. Marty Riddle even gave up the Wright & McGill Storm jacket right off of his back to a young soldier who was admiring it.
I would like to personally thank some people that were especially helpful in making this event happen. Dave Goggia was the chairman of the committee and personally responsible for pulling it all together for the guides association, Mike Fenton, president of the guide association and Jerry Strieby, an Eagle Claw Pro-Staffer, who also served tirelessly on the committee to make this event a success. Kelly Hanke from the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, who without her professionalism and expertise in putting together large events such as this, it just would not have been possible. Rueben Hanke for providing the facilities at his lodge to host the event and of course Eagle Claw. Without your generous support and leadership in starting this program last year, none of this would have been possible. And to all the other volunteers, military staff, and supporters that are too many to list, thank you.

Sincerely,
John Whitlatch
Eagle Claw Pro-Staff
Reel Adventures
World Class Salmon and Trout Guides

For more info and additional photos check out Alaska State Elks website

Chris