July 28, 2016 — Rhode Island, RIPCBA
On Tuesday, July 26 twelve charter fishing vessels from the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association took veterans fishing aboard their vessels out of the Port of Galilee. It was the third year in a row that veterans, many of them with disabilities, family members, friends and care givers (about fifty of them) were out on the water with charter fishing association members in Rhode Island.
Everyone on the trip caught fish. Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of the RIPCBA, said, “the 3rd annual event was a tremendous success with huge smiles and laughs all morning. The veterans caught black sea bass, scup, fluke, striped bass and sea robins. We thank them all from the bottom of our hearts for their service and tremendous sacrifices.”
The Providence and Boston Veterans Administration is helping wounded veterans and veterans with disabilities learn how far they can go enjoying outdoor activities. Outdoor activities they might think they can no longer do like kayaking, flying kites and fishing.
Jenny McLaughlin, adaptive sports case manager from the VA Boston Healthcare System said, “I continue to be humbled by the number of captains that continue to come out each year and volunteer/donate their time and boats for our Veterans to fish. This year was absolutely amazing. All of the Veterans enjoyed their time… the captains and their mates did great accommodating each Veteran and their ability.”