SUPPORT.DEFEND.FISH
The ArmyBassAnglers are not content with just fishing the toughest team tournaments in Texas. More importantly, they use their ability to fish in national team tournaments and the support of some nationally recognized sponsors to raise the awareness and generate support for some very note worthy charitable causes and events. “We are ecstatic about the support provided by all our sponsors that enables us to carry out our SUPPORT.DEFEND.FISH mission,” says Roberson.
The team dedicates a lot of time and effort to raising awareness and money for Returning Heroes Home (returningheroeshome.org), a project at Fort Sam Houston’s Brooke Army Medical Center. This project is in its second phase. The project is the Warrior and Family Support Center, a 12,500 square foot facility funded solely with private donations. The facility provides ample space for wounded Soldiers undergoing treatment in San Antonio to spend private time with their friends and families when they are actively participating in the rehabilitative treatment process. With the severity of their wounds, (amputations, burns, disfigurement, post-traumatic stress, etc) it is critical that they have a place to be at ease without being subjected to crowded public places and unnecessary stress.
In addition, the ArmyBassAnglers are involved in two national recognized bass tournament dedicated to taking Soldiers fishing. The team volunteers their personal time to support “Take a Soldier Fishing” each year on Belton Lake, near Fort Hood, TX. The premise behind both events is an opportunity for the local angling and business community to thank these Heroes for their service and sacrifices. Annually, Choke Canyon Reservoir is the host location for “Fishing for Freedom,” a tournament that pairs local fishermen with wounded Soldiers in the San Antonio area for a day of tournament bass fishing on an awesome fishery just for them. Both events are heavily supported and only made possible through the generosity of local businesses, volunteers, and caring local and regional anglers. These are just a few of the ways the team lives up to the SUPPORT pillar in its three pronged mission statement.
As mostly active duty Soldiers, the members of ArmyBassAnglers have the very surreal responsibility to DEFEND this nation and the liberties we enjoy as Americans. Three of the members are currently deployed with several others scheduled to make their second or third deployments next year. It makes it tough to uphold their obligations in their charity work and to their sponsors, but what makes them unique is that their military background creates a “take care of each other” mentality. “Each angler has a “battle buddy” that he fishes two-man team tournaments with and when one member of the team is gone, the other “rucks up” and carries the load for both of them, this is by design and is ingrained all our military training,” states Roberson.
Finally, and last on their list of “priorities of fire” is the FISH pillar of the mission statement. They currently fish Texas as well as National team tournament trails, like Fishers of Men and Bass Champs. Again, they uses these appearances as a “combat multiplier” to promote Returning Heroes Home and the Fishing for Freedom charity events all while caring the torch as Ambassadors for their respective sponsors, but do not count them out as qualified contenders.
If you read about their successes in the tournament highlights page of their website, you will quickly notice they are a threat every time they idle into a weigh-in. Team leader, Cody Roberson, describes the team by saying, “We don’t consider ourselves professional fishermen, but professional Soldiers who just happen to be really good, avid anglers with a far more important mission —HOOAH!”
For more information contact:
ArmyBassAnglers, LLC
133 Yeager Circle
Cibolo, TX 78108
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www.ArmyBassAnglers.com