It’s been said “water is the world’s first and foremost medicine.” For the Heroes who participate in the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA)’s annual Lake Erie Trophy Walleye fishing event in Ashtabula, Ohio, this statement couldn’t be truer.
To embrace the healing power of freshwater fishing and support the non-profit WWIA, owners of Miller Builders Bill and Diane Miller — along with volunteers Larry Fielder and Dave Conant — lead “Team Erie” to host combat wounded Purple Heart recipients. Now in its ninth year, Team Erie hits Lake Erie each August in an effort to payback and reward those who have sacrificed in conflicts around the globe.
“Wounded Warriors in Action supports events across the country that bring veterans together to hunt, fish and share the camaraderie of the woods and waters,” explains Bill, who captains his boat for the much-anticipated day of walleye fishing. “A 100-percent donation-based organization, WWIA has helped us create a weekend of events that not only welcomes and honors our Heroes, but builds new friendships and treasured memories.”
While it’s required to have received a Purple Heart to participate in WWIA events, any Hero who attends never pays a penny, according to Fielder. “From the time they walk out of their home anywhere in the United States, to the time they return, the group that hosts the event provides the funding they need to participate,” he said. “We serve and support any and all Heroes that bled on the battlefield.”
A Hero’s story
Each Purple Heart recipient Hero is led to a WWIA event in different ways, but the primary reason is to heal. For Afghanistan veteran Jon French (center image at bottom of this post), the healing power of WWIA provided the direction and inspiration at a time he needed it most.
“I was injured in Afghanistan in 2009 when a rocket-propelled grenade hit my chest and took off part of my right arm,” explained French. “As I was recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, I wasn’t sure what to do next — I felt like sitting at home on the couch and just being left alone.
“One of my battle buddies found Wounded Warriors in Action on line and after participating in their events, encouraged me to get involved. He told me it would help both mentally and emotionally,” he said.
With a right elbow prosthesis, French participated in his first WWIA duck and buck hunting event in 2011, and continued his healing path through walleye and fly-fishing events throughout the country. “WWIA gives combat wounded vets direction and something to be inspired to do — to get the healing powers of the woods and water,” stated French.
That commitment to helping other battle buddies led French to become a certified WWIA Guide, a role he serves proudly with Team Erie. “We warriors begin bonding on the bus from the airport to the campground, where we all stay together.
“What’s just unbelievable is they have a parade to welcome us,” says French, who is now a civil engineer for a telecommunications company in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The parade led by The American Legion Riders Post 103 in Ashtabula begins a weekend of events for Team Erie, including private fishing trips and steak dinner. The WWIA hosts deserving heroes regardless of whatever conflict they may have served in. Team Erie has proudly hosted a wide variety of heroes, including WWII heroes to Purple Heart recipients that have recently returned to begin the healing process.
“The Heroes always tell us how much they appreciate our combined efforts,” said Fielder. “We have had more than one Hero tell us our event was the welcome home they never got.”
As French prepares to captain his third Team Erie fishing group on Lake Erie this summer, he’s focused on providing the support so many Heroes continue to need. “We’re able to provide a lot of healing power and information to these Purple Heart veterans,” he states. “If there’s anything we can share as far as our recovery, we’re here to help. I look forward to sharing a boat and a campfire with each of them — it’s incredible.”
To learn more or donate to WWIA Team Erie’s upcoming summer Lake Erie Trophy Walleye fishing event, contact Miller Builders, (216) 651-7795.