F.I.S.H.

On April 29, 2008 the second annual Wounded Warriors’ pier fishing trip was once again held at the Sea View Pier in North Topsail, NC.  Approximately 10 Wounded Warriors from MCB Camp LeJeune arrived to a steady WNW wind and murky water.  The Warriors’ included Cpl. Mike Savoie who attended the inaugural WW Pier Fishing trip in 2007. 

Undaunted and with the assistance of the volunteers, the Warriors baited up for sea mullet and then it was lines in.  Although there was more fishing then catching all the Warriors appreciated getting out of the barracks for the day.  During the slow fishing times and over lunch many of the volunteers got to hear the stories of how the Warrior they assisted became injured. 

One Warrior while on his second tour in Iraq was wounded three separate times in one day.  His platoon was ambushed and he took a round thru his helmet which creased the top of his head.  Unfazed by the blood running down his head and the missing section of his helmet he saw a fellow Marine down in front of him and braving enemy fire he went to retrieve his fellow comrade.  It was during this rescue attempt that his right arm was shattered by a an armor piercing round from a sniper.  Later in the day while being transported to medical aid he took shrapnel to his abdomen.  After multiple surgeries to repair the arm he still lacks full feeling in his hand due to nerve damage.  At the time of the Pier Fishing trip he intended to re-enlist in the hopes of being sent back into battle in Afghanistan.  A true Hero.
Before all left, the 20 or so fish were cleaned and gifts of appreciation were given out to all participants, Warriors and volunteers alike.  These gifts included two different t-shirts donated by NCAngler and East Coast Sports of Surf City, NC.  In addition, two different styles of soft sided coolers were given out. These were donated by Century21 Action Realty of Surf City and Sea View Pier. 

The Jacksonville Daily News wrote an article about the event and is republished by permission here.