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2009 Tim Horton’s Annual “Fishing for Kids” Tournament McFarland Landing – Tenn River – Pickwick |
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More Photos By Don Gowen, Bassmasters of North Alabama Bassmasters of North Alabama and anglers from other Alabama B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Clubs, along with fishermen and community volunteers from all over North Alabama, gathered in the cool morning mist at McFarland Landing, Florence, Alabama on Saturday October 31, 2009 to stage and support the 2009 Annual Tim Horton “Fishing for Kids” event for special needs kids and individuals. The volunteers contribute their time, expertise, boats & motors, and money to make this event a truly enjoyable experience for the participants and the anglers that service as boat captains and other support functions. “Fishing for Kids” began in 1997 when Tim Horton, a previous local fishing guide in North Alabama and now BASS Elite Series PRO, began taking kids fishing free of charge. Most of the kids were special needs children who had never been on the water before. Since then many of the contestants have competed in the event since it began. Tim does not take this program lightly. “I get more enjoyment out of “Fishing for Kids” than anything I do in the sport of bass fishing”, said Horton. |
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I had the honor to fish with Brent Calender of the USMC yesterday in the wounded warriors benefit tournament in Decatur Alabama. I want to take a minute to tell you a story that is fitting for this day. It is the story of Brent and the day he was injured in combat in Iraq. Brent and two other members of his unit were responding to a call of enemy fire in a suspected enemy area. Brent was manning the gun on top of the hummer that his unit was in. A Sniper shot Brent and the bullet pierced his bullet proof vest and hit a lung and his spine. As he layed over the gun unable to move the vehicle they were in ran over a bomb in the road, the explosion killed the other two members of the crew and threw him 15 feet from the vehicle. As he layed there unable to move his legs he was shot two more times. The enemy thought he was dead, and was the only reason they quit shooting. He said as he was struggling to remain alive when he went into cardiac arrest and blacked out. He awoke in a hospital to be told he would never walk again. Four months later he regained strength in his legs and can now walk with a cane. For 5 hours yesterday I heard the most unbelievable stories of courage and honor from one of this countries TRUE heroes. By the end of the day as I was telling Brent how much appreciation I had for all he had done for our country he said, "Tim, I was simply doing my job" As I went to bed last night and thought about his statement " I was just doing my job", I thought about our freedoms to enjoy the outdoors and all we do in this country. Brent and I finished 2nd in the tournament. He could not quit talking about how great it was to be fishing, what a beautiful day it was, and how much he appreciated the opportunity. I even caught a double which he thought was the coolest thing. Brent and all the other Veterans of this great country are the reason we have these opportunities, isnt it ironic that he was thanking me for the opportunity that all of the past and present men and women of our armed forces have given us. |
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 As a competitor on the Bassmaster Elite Series tour, pro angler Tim Horton travels the country competing in tournaments where the winner can earn $500,000. The tournament he looks the most forward to each year doesn't offer any cash prizes. Instead of the lure of big money, it's seeing the smiles on the faces of the special needs children and adults who participate in the Tim Horton Fishing for Kids tournament and the warm feeling Horton gets in his heart when he takes them fishing that make it his favorite. "It always the most fun I have at a tournament all year," said Horton, the 2000 BASS Angler of the Year. "It's the one day I can go fishing and not feel any pressure. I can just go out there and have fun." The 10th annual Tim Horton Fishing for Kids tournament is Sept. 27 on Pickwick Lake out of McFarland Park. Read More | | |
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