Held August 21-23 in Everglades National Park, the Project Healing Waters Backcountry Purple Heart/Disabled Veterans Slam III was a huge success.
This year, PHW–South Florida hosted 30 wounded and disabled veterans in Islamorada, Florida, and the community greeted them with open arms.
The Islamorada Fishing Club hosted the welcome reception, where Everglades National Park Superintendent Pedro Ramos welcomed the participating veterans to the Keys and ENP.
The veterans spent two days fishing the waters of Everglades National Park with some of the best guides in South Florida, all of whom volunteered their time to show the veterans the sport of flats fishing.
A special thank you to all the guides listed below:
Benny Blanco – HB Guide
Steve Friedman – HB Guide
Andy Downs
Brandon Laszlo
Luke Krenik
Steve Thomas – HB Guide
Dave Denkert – HB Guide
Carlos Jimenez
Adam DeBruin – HB Guide
Kerry Wingo
Randy Stallings – HB Guide
Justin Bachert
Chris Molinaro
Nestor Alvisa
Augie Moss
Ridge Murphy
Ryan Booth – HB Guide
Eddie Yarbrough
Mike Alfano – HB Guide
Carl Ball – HB Guide
Jason Sullivan – HB Guide
Steven Tejera
Lincoln Rodriguez
Matt Bellinger
Jerry Perez – HB Guide
It was a life-changing experience for all the veterans, and many beautiful fish came to hand. There is nothing better to recharge the soul than spending time on the water.
To see all the photos from the event, follow this link to the PHW–South Florida Facebook page.
We are honored to support this great event, and extend a special thank you to all the veterans for their service and sacrifice to protect our freedom.
We would like to thank Col. Anthony Fernandez III USMCR and all the volunteers for making this a great event. A special thanks to Mangrove Mike’s Café and Allison Stattner for donating the food.
Capt. Benny Blanco pictured above receiving an award of appreciation from Project Healing Waters Major Ray Master, USMCR.
For more information and to donate to Project Healing Waters–South Florida, click here.