More than 200 disabled veterans from around the state were in Quincy, for a special fishing trip.
WATD’s Gill Johnston files this report:
Harvey’s Saltwater Fishing Club in Quincy organizes the event, which returned for a 64th year after a COVID-related hiatus.
Mike Cheney is the Secretary of the club:
“The planning is exciting, it’s a fun group. The day that it all comes together is today. Disabled veterans have sacrificed a lot for our country. At the very least we can do is give one day a year to them,” said Cheney. “I just want to thank the sponsors, thank everybody who’s made contributions, and thank the over 100 volunteers that are here today to make this successful. They all take their day off from work as well to be here, to help out. We’re very appreciative.”
Typically, they have about 20 lobster boats, five private boats, that take 200 veterans out for the day.
“It’s pretty amazing, they do give up the day,” said Cheney. “They sacrifice a lot to make this happen – including their fuel, their time, their effort.”
It doesn’t end with just a fishing trip. Each veteran is presented with a gift bag, and they enjoy a day with food and live music when they return ashore.
Chhunly Prak, from Dracut, is a Marine veteran, who served from 2004 to 2012, with two deployments in Iraq.
He was among the veterans for the trip.
“It’s nice, it just brings back the comradery, the brotherhood, and stuff like that. It’s something you don’t get as a civilian when you leave the military,” said Prak. “That’s something a lot of us miss – the comradery, and the inside jokes. Mostly the inside jokes.”
He says it’s also an opportunity to connect veterans with services.
“To see if anybody can help another veteran out, if they are struggling with whatever they are struggling with,” said Prak. “PTSD, or just being disabled from the service. If they need help, or something like that. It’s just a great opportunity to network and get to know one another.”
Marine veteran Chhunly Prak, of Dracut, who served two tours in Iraq from 2004 to 2012. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
For many veterans, this fishing trip is an event they look forward to. Photo credit: Gill Johnston.
More than 100 volunteers help make the Harvey’s Saltwater Fishing trip a success. Photo credit: Gill Johnston.
The docks at the Quincy Yacht Club were lined with boats for the veteran fishing trip. Photo credit: Gill Johnston.
U.S. Army Veteran Joseph Bonardi, who served from 1955-1958, and his wife, Bert Bonardi, of Auburn. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Typically, about 20 lobster boats, and five private boats, take 200 veterans out fishing for the day. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
