Wounded Warriors Enjoy Day On River
Just one surgery away from recovery, Coast Guard Veteran Christopher DuPont reeled in his sixth catch of the day while casually chatting on his phone.
"I'll feel this tomorrow," he said pointing to his shoulder, "But, this is great."
Mr. DuPont was with 16 veterans who traveled from Fort Drum to take advantage of St. Lawrence County FISHCAP's Wounded Warrior fishing derby. Ten boats loaded with supplies and volunteer guides escorted the soldiers to their secret spots to ensure nobody went home empty-handed.
Mr. DuPont considered himself a fairly good fisherman. He said he is an avid angler and his fished all over the world, but the St. Lawrence River was on par with any water he has fished.
"It's a beautiful area and it's good fishing. I've caught walleye, pike and perch" he said. "I will be back here and I'll bring some guys with me. There are a lot of people who wanted to come today but weren't able to."
The angler's were on the water at 7 a.m. and had until noon to catch the longest walleye or pike for a chance to win the derby. At 1 p.m. the veterans gathered on the Ogdensburg shoreline near the Dobisky Visitors Center to enjoy a "catch of the day," lunch.
For Mr. DuPont and the other soldiers it was a chance to kick back, and enjoy all that Ogdensburg's waterfront had to offer.
"The people couldn't be nicer. Everyone really came together for us. It's fantastic," he said.
The Wounded Warrior derby is the first event hosted by the county's FISHCAP group, which is dedicated to making St. Lawrence County the fishing capital of the world. St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Patricia L. McKeown said it exemplifies what the initiative is all about. She said it will allow soldiers at Fort Drum a chance to discover a vacation spot in there own backyard, and to that point it was a "big success."
"We're just thrilled with the whole event," she said. "We couldn't have picked a better spot than Ogdensburg. We have great weather and good turnout and everyone is having a good time."
The event was planned intentionally to coincide with the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall, which will be in Ogdensburg until Monday at 4 p.m. Veterans attending the derby were able to stroll across the street where the wall was on display in the Ogdensburg mall.
Mr. DuPont said he would be visiting the wall to pay his respect to the Vietnam veterans. He said his father and uncle both served in the war.
"It's kind of a family tradition I guess," he said.
Friends and family who came with the soldiers were able to enjoy the Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce Car-B-que event which featured a variety of classic an unique cars, which was also held near the Dobisky Center.
A media boat which captured some of the event on film and visited fisherman throughout the day carried FISHCAP spokesman and television host Donald Meissner. He said the event is very special, because it created a sense of kinship between the soldiers and the community.
"I think this event means as much to the community and volunteers as it does to the soldiers. The feeling really hits home and I think it shows that the community loves them. I wish we could do so much more."
Mr. Meissner said regardless of whether the soldiers pulled in record sized fish, it was a day they would likely remember.
"Big or small it doesn't matter. The goal was to get them out here where they could relax and enjoy this day in a serene location," he said.
Although the event was sponsored by FISHCAP, FISHCAP Marketing Director Alison Power said a large effort also came from the private sector. Handicap accessible pontoons boats, rods, reels, food and drinks were among the large list of donations received for the event.
Ms. Power said North Country Savings Bank, Mort Backus and Sons, Nature's Trophies, Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers, US Reel, Gander Mountain, Great Northern Printing, El Grande Lures, Howie's Tavern, Temple Fork Outfitters, Walmart and Wireless Zone all contributed to the event.
