Reel American Heroes Foundation First Annual Fishing Tournament 2024

rondef reply :

*** Glenn Has Approved Me Posting This Thread ***

The Reel American Heroes Foundation is holding it's First Annual Fishing Tournament May 21-22, 2011 at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC.

The Reel American Heroes Foundation is a nonprofit organization that hosts fishing tournaments for active duty and injured Soldiers and retired or disabled Veterans of the United States Military. Our organization sets up weekend fishing events at Military Bases in the United States throughout the year. When the Soldiers, Veterans and their families arrive we provide all of them with free fishing equipment (rods, reels and fully stocked tackle boxes) that they keep to further pursue the sport if they choose. On Saturday and Sunday morning all the soldiers and veterans are paired up with volunteer anglers and taken out to fish an actual tournament on the Potomac River. During each day hats, sunglasses, shirts, food, drinks, games and entertainment are all provided free of charge from launch to weigh-in. After the weigh-ins trophies and prizes are awarded to the top three soldiers (or family members) for the biggest fish in each category.

The reason for this post is to ask for assistance from anglers that own boats. We are expecting 100 Soldiers, Veterans and family members to attend our event and we need some help to get all of the soldiers and veterans out on the water to fish our tournament. The launch fees at Bolling Air Force Base have been waived for all boaters that volunteer at our event. If you are willing to help a soldier or veteran, please go to our website and fill out the "Boater Registration" form. I can promise you that you will have an amazing weekend spending time with the brave men and women of our Armed Services.

http://www.reelamericanheroes.org/event-registration.html

Thank You,

Ronald R. DeFreitas

Shane J reply :

Last May, I trailored my boat 1200 miles to be a part of this event, and looking back, I'd do double that to do it again. This is an amazing cause, supported by some amazing folks (like Big O and Strike King), and it's worth it to be a part of it. I know there are a bunch of Bassresource members who love to fish, and love this country's veterans, that are from the Virginia area, so it would be nice to see some of you there next year. It won't cost you anything, but a little gas for your boat and tow vehicle to do it, and you will walk away from this weekend with a real feeling of self worth for what you have done for the people of our military forces. The vets who get to go out and fish a tournament, and have a great day or two of fun fishing, are incredibly great full for your being there, and it's the best feeling in the world. If you have any way possible to make it out to help in this event, please register as a boater, and come out and have the time of your life, and help a veteran have the time of theirs.

intheweeds reply :

I also attended this even last May and it was a blast. To see the smiles on the soldiers faces was the best feeling in the world. I encourage anyone with a boat that wants to help take a soldier out,to go to the RAHF website and register. This event is truly amazing and you will met some great folks, some of which may become good friends. I met Shane there last year and can't wait to work and fish with him at this event again. Truly, its the least we can do for the people who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

lynyrdsky1 reply :

If I am not able to participate can I donate equipment?

rondef reply :

You can make donations of equipment by going to our "Contact Page" on our web site and let us know what you want to donate and we will make arrangements with you to pick it up or ship it if need be. One of our volunteers lives in Memphis, TN.

http://www.reelamericanheroes.org/contact-us.html

Thank You,

Ronald R. DeFreitas

lynyrdsky1 reply :

It has to be brand new correct?

rondef reply :

It has to be in excellent shape if it is used, we prefer new.

Carrington reply :

I really love the concept behind this. Im glad to see that different companies latly have been making strives to honor the soldiers. the most recent ive seen is certain airlines are allowing soldiers to get on an airplane before anyone else and get off before anyone else.

intheweeds reply :

Ron and I will be at the Dick's Sporting Goods store in Manassas, VA tomorrow Friday the 19th from 3:00pm to 8:00pm. We will be accepting donations for The Reel American Heroes Foundation. Please come on down if you would like to drop off a donation, or just come in and say hi. We would love to meet some fishermen from the area and let you know what the RAHF is all about and what events we have coming up. You may also register as a volunteer with us for the upcoming tournament in May. If you can't make it on Friday just go to the RAHF website and find all the information that you need about the foundation. Hope to see some of you tomorrow. Thanks for all of your support.

Shane J reply :

Good luck tomorrow, guys.

rondef reply :

Hoping to see some Bass Resource members at Dick's Sporting Goods today.

Mudwalker reply :

I just completed the boater registration. I have done 3 similar tournaments for Wounded Wariors. I am looking forward to this.

rondef reply :

Thank You Mudwalker for registering and for helping us provide a World Class Event for the Soldiers and Veterans.

rondef reply :

Members of the Reel American Heroes Foundation will be holding a Fund Raising Event at the Baltimore, MD Bass Pro Shop on Sunday November 28th for 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, if you are in the area please stop by and say hello.

SDoolittle reply :

What if a Soldier has his own boat?

Shane J reply :

If a soldier has his/her own boat, and would like to bring it, that's perfectly fine, and all launch fees and marina fees will be waived. They could either fish out of it, take out another soldier, or allow a volunteer to take out a soldier. Bottom line is, the more boats there, the better.

AnglerNFuego reply :

This is a good thing your doing, Ron. Your a good man, buddy.

SDoolittle reply :

Quote
If a soldier has his/her own boat, and would like to bring it, that's perfectly fine, and all launch fees and marina fees will be waived. They could either fish out of it, take out another soldier, or allow a volunteer to take out a soldier. Bottom line is, the more boats there, the better.

Could I compete in this tournament, and take another Soldier out as a nonboater? Or would that be unfair because we would be competing against each other?

rondef reply :

Quote
This is a good thing your doing, Ron. Your a good man, buddy.

Thanks Andy, we look forward to seeing you there so we can thank you properly for your service to our country.

rondef reply :

Quote

Quote
If a soldier has his/her own boat, and would like to bring it, that's perfectly fine, and all launch fees and marina fees will be waived. They could either fish out of it, take out another soldier, or allow a volunteer to take out a soldier. Bottom line is, the more boats there, the better.

Could I compete in this tournament, and take another Soldier out as a nonboater? Or would that be unfair because we would be competing against each other?

Bird Dog, if you are a Soldier or Veteran and want to compete you certainly are encouraged to do so. It would not be considered unfair.

rondef reply :

OK folks, this thread was placed here to ask boat owners if they would be willing to assist us by volunteering to take Soldiers and Veterans fishing at our tournament and it has gone off track a bit. We would really appreciate it if we can get back on track and keep it that way. We have a large challenge ahead of us to register the boaters and we need to concentrate on that right now.

Who is eligible to compete in the Reel American Heroes Tournament?

Anyone that has served or is currently serving in the United States Military.

If you qualify and would like to compete in the tournament please go to our "Event Registration" page on our web site and fill out the form.

http://www.reelamericanheroes.org/event-registration.html

Sincerely,

Ronald R. DeFreitas

J Francho reply :

Quote
OK folks, this thread was placed here to ask boat owners if they would be willing to assist us by volunteering to take Soldiers and Veterans fishing at our tournament and it has gone off track a bit.

Fixed. Next off topic post gets a week's vacation.

rondef reply :

OK folks, we have purchased 111 combos for the soldiers and veterans. We are now concentrating on buying the tackle boxes. Can we convince some of you to sign up to take them out so they can put this gear to use?

rondef reply :

Check out the extremely generous donation Big O and Strike King made to the Reel American Heroes Foundation. They have been and continue to be our biggest supporters. Thanks to them we will be able to fill 100 tackleboxes for the soldiers and veterans that attend our event.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29396&id=112248338829897

Shane J reply :

We love those guys! Incredible donation!

rondef reply :

We are still looking for boaters to volunteer to take a soldier or veteran fishing. If you are interested please go to boater registartion section on our Evenet Registration page on our web site and sign up. Oh yeah, Big O is attending the event and you will have an opportunity to meet him.

http://www.reelamericanheroes.org/event-registration.html

Thank You,

Ronald R. DeFreitas

Executive Director

Reel American Heroes Foundation

rondef reply :

We have purchased fishing rod and reel combos and tackle boxes for the soldiers and veterans. We almost have enogh tackle to fill them too, we still need hooks for the soft plastic baits.

On another note, we are still looking for anglers with boats to help us take soldiers and veterans out fishing. If you can help a soldier or veteran please go to our web site and sign up. As our way of saying thank you we will be providing gift packs to the boaters that voluteer to take a soldier or veteran out fishing at our event.

http://www.reelamericanheroes.org/event-registration.html

With sincere thanks,

Ronald R. DeFreitas

Executive Director

Reel American Heroes Foundation

rondef reply :

The Reel American Heroes Foundation has been invited to set up a table inside the Hampton, Virginia Bass Pro Shops during their Spring Classic Sale to fund raise and to register boaters for the First Annual Reel American Heroes Fishing Tournament at Bolling Air Force Base. We will be set up near the sunglasses booth on February 26-27 & March 12-13. If you are in the area please stop and say hello.

TN basstracker reply :

As Ron mentioned earlier, if anyone in the Memphis/West TN area has anything they would like to donate to this wonderful cause, I will be glad to make arrangements to pick up these items as I will be trailering my boat up there along wih ShaneJ to help RonDef with this event. Feel free to PM me with contact info to arrange pick up. Thank you for your contribution to these veterans who have fought so hard to allow us to enjoy this sport we love so much.

rondef reply :

http://www.reelamericanheroes.org/event-registration.html

Launch fees have been waived for all of the boaters that volunteer. We are also going to provide all of the boaters with a Washington, DC fishing license for free.

Thank You,

Ronald R. DeFreitas

Executive Director

Reel American Heroes Foundation

KWM reply :

Ill be fishing in this.

rondef reply :

The Reel American Heroes Foundation is proud to announce that we received our "Letter of Determination" from the IRS today. This letter is proof that the IRS has determined that we are a 501©(3) nonprofit corporation, making us exempt from all Federal Taxes. We will be filing our Commonwealth of Virginia paperwork for Tax Exempt Status this coming week. Time to break out a few cold ones and celebrate.

KWM reply :

Quote
The Reel American Heroes Foundation is proud to announce that we received our "Letter of Determination" from the IRS today. This letter is proof that the IRS has determined that we are a 501©(3) nonprofit corporation, making us exempt from all Federal Taxes. We will be filing our Commonwealth of Virginia paperwork for Tax Exempt Status this coming week. Time to break out a few cold ones and celebrate.

Consider it done.

rondef reply :

The Reel American Heroes Foundation is still looking for anglers with boats that would like to take a soldier or veteran fishing at the First Annual Reel American Heroes Fishing Tournament at Joint Base Bolling-Anacostia (formerly Bolling Air Force base). Please take a minute to think about all of the freedoms you have, we have these freedoms because of the brave men and women that are serving or have served in our Armed Services. This tournament provides you with an opportunity to thank these soldiers and veterans by taking them fishing.

The Reel American Heroes Foundation will provide you with a FREE Washington, DC fishing license, breakfast and lunch both days, and a prize pack for helping out. The base has also waived the launch fees for all volunteer boaters. I can promise you that you will have a great time fishing with the soldiers and veterans. We only have 6 more weeks to register boaters and we would like to add an additional 30 volunteer boaters to the event.

If you are interested in helping please click on the link below and fill out the registration form.

http://www.reelamericanheroes.org/event-registration.html

With sincere thanks,

Ronald R. DeFreitas

Green Hornet reply :

Hey Ron,

I signed up as a boater shortly after you spoke at my club's meeting ( NHBA). Should I expect to see some kind of confirmation e-mail before the event?

Tight Lines!

rondef reply :

Green Hornet, you should have received one but it may have been lost during our web provider's mail server outage that we experienced for a couple of days. I appologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused. Please read the PM I sent you.

With sincere thanks,

Ron DeFreitas

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Reel American Heroes Foundation First Annual Fishing Tournament 2024

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