Military Appreciation Day Southport NC Sept 8!
07-30-2018, 08:47 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Military Appreciation Day Southport NC Sept 8!
First off - Thanks to all our volunteers who made our Morehead City even another crazy success, 96 boats and over 350 Troops fished, we can't do it without you, and now we're talking up our fall event in Southport NC!
September 8th is event day! Don’t know what this is all about? Well simply put, we match fishermen and women who are willing to donate a day of their time, skills and boat to take out some Active Duty Military service men and women for a day on the water. We feed you and everyone has fun!
Everyone knows someone in the Military in some way. Your family member, a friend from work, or maybe you know someone who was in the Military, Veteran or Reserves. If you do, then you know these brave men and women have already laid it on the line for the ultimate sacrifice if needed for us, to enjoy our freedoms, one of them being freedom to go fishing.
Consider sharing your time and talent with some of them by taking them out fishing in whatever style you choose. Please use the sign up link here Southport Chapter: Boat Volunteer Registration
We have opened Troop registration and you will start to see your assignments in mid-August.
When you have your Troops info, contact them via email and/or phone. Give them time to respond as many have training or other assignments that may limit their access. You will set up the day! Tell them what to bring (sunglasses, cooler, sunblock, white sole shoes, etc.) what not to bring (hangovers, bananas, etc.) and it is your boat, your rules! Where to meet, what to expect, and you can get their experience level. Up to you about alcohol, smoking etc. It is like arranging a day of fishing with friends.
Short history - This event started in 2006 with a group of Vietnam Veterans witnessing active duty Troops fresh back from the "Sandbox" being denied service to a bar because they were too rowdy. Well they did something about it, talked to that group, rallied more help, raised some money went back to that bar with news crew and a newspaper story in tow and they let them in! Wanting to do more, they all loved fishing so Military Appreciation Day was born. The first event was in howling winds and pouring rain but everyone still had a good time! Growing into four states so far, we are the Largest Take the Troops fishing event in the world!
Our Captains meeting will be Friday, September 7th, at Southport Marina, 5 pm. If you have attended one of our events before you know there is some fine eating that goes on!
We’ll discuss the event, reminders, honor some volunteers, and cover any last minute changes that are needed.
Sept 8 - EVENT DAY!!! - What everyone has been waiting for! Same setup as last year, we will have use of Southport Marina fuel dock and a few slips. That will be the main pickup and drop off point for most of you. Anyone wanting to leave from their marina, home dock or other location just indicate so on your registration and we will work it out. It is no problem to do so’
Event morning our boats will check out with us that you are fishing either via VHF radio channel 72, our checkout station, or using our new Google Voice number! (more to come on that)
If you have interest in helping us on land as a volunteer, please see: Southport Chapter: Committee Volunteer Registration Choose the appropriate committee (area to help in) and someone will be in touch.
After the fishing is done, we will have another good ole cookout and give away some more prizes this time to the Troops! We will have some fish cleaning and packing tables setup at the main cleaning station.
So again we welcome anyone new this year (hopefully you’re hooked) and all of our returning volunteers who have helped make our Southport event a rousing success over the years.
A few details we can pass along now:
We will have limited slip availability at Southport Marina for Friday and Saturday nights. Please indicate if you would like one, first come, first served.
Sea Tow is back with us again providing free towing and assistance for any MAD boat on event day. Please consider a membership with them.
Captain Dave will provide free “Fish Here” maps on the night before the event. I will email them out to our MAD Captains as soon as I have them.
·
We will again have the fishing license waiver for your guests, a copy of it will be given to you and posted on our website.
We will be seeking hotel and block room discounts again this year.
Stay tuned for special prizes and more announcements.
Be sure to stay in touch with us on Facebook – MAD Southport NC page is https://www.facebook.com/SouthportMAD Please feel free to post and share all our content!
Please check out our supporters as well - MAD Supporters
Of course you can PM me here or ask any questions on this post and someone will be happy to answer them. I look forward to seeing you all again and meeting any newcomers!
Note - We will only postpone the event in the matter of a named storm or small craft advisory if it is forecast in advance.
Scott
September 8th is event day! Don’t know what this is all about? Well simply put, we match fishermen and women who are willing to donate a day of their time, skills and boat to take out some Active Duty Military service men and women for a day on the water. We feed you and everyone has fun!
Everyone knows someone in the Military in some way. Your family member, a friend from work, or maybe you know someone who was in the Military, Veteran or Reserves. If you do, then you know these brave men and women have already laid it on the line for the ultimate sacrifice if needed for us, to enjoy our freedoms, one of them being freedom to go fishing.
Consider sharing your time and talent with some of them by taking them out fishing in whatever style you choose. Please use the sign up link here Southport Chapter: Boat Volunteer Registration
We have opened Troop registration and you will start to see your assignments in mid-August.
When you have your Troops info, contact them via email and/or phone. Give them time to respond as many have training or other assignments that may limit their access. You will set up the day! Tell them what to bring (sunglasses, cooler, sunblock, white sole shoes, etc.) what not to bring (hangovers, bananas, etc.) and it is your boat, your rules! Where to meet, what to expect, and you can get their experience level. Up to you about alcohol, smoking etc. It is like arranging a day of fishing with friends.
Short history - This event started in 2006 with a group of Vietnam Veterans witnessing active duty Troops fresh back from the "Sandbox" being denied service to a bar because they were too rowdy. Well they did something about it, talked to that group, rallied more help, raised some money went back to that bar with news crew and a newspaper story in tow and they let them in! Wanting to do more, they all loved fishing so Military Appreciation Day was born. The first event was in howling winds and pouring rain but everyone still had a good time! Growing into four states so far, we are the Largest Take the Troops fishing event in the world!
Our Captains meeting will be Friday, September 7th, at Southport Marina, 5 pm. If you have attended one of our events before you know there is some fine eating that goes on!
We’ll discuss the event, reminders, honor some volunteers, and cover any last minute changes that are needed.
Sept 8 - EVENT DAY!!! - What everyone has been waiting for! Same setup as last year, we will have use of Southport Marina fuel dock and a few slips. That will be the main pickup and drop off point for most of you. Anyone wanting to leave from their marina, home dock or other location just indicate so on your registration and we will work it out. It is no problem to do so’
Event morning our boats will check out with us that you are fishing either via VHF radio channel 72, our checkout station, or using our new Google Voice number! (more to come on that)
If you have interest in helping us on land as a volunteer, please see: Southport Chapter: Committee Volunteer Registration Choose the appropriate committee (area to help in) and someone will be in touch.
After the fishing is done, we will have another good ole cookout and give away some more prizes this time to the Troops! We will have some fish cleaning and packing tables setup at the main cleaning station.
So again we welcome anyone new this year (hopefully you’re hooked) and all of our returning volunteers who have helped make our Southport event a rousing success over the years.
A few details we can pass along now:
We will have limited slip availability at Southport Marina for Friday and Saturday nights. Please indicate if you would like one, first come, first served.
Sea Tow is back with us again providing free towing and assistance for any MAD boat on event day. Please consider a membership with them.
Captain Dave will provide free “Fish Here” maps on the night before the event. I will email them out to our MAD Captains as soon as I have them.
·
We will again have the fishing license waiver for your guests, a copy of it will be given to you and posted on our website.
We will be seeking hotel and block room discounts again this year.
Stay tuned for special prizes and more announcements.
Be sure to stay in touch with us on Facebook – MAD Southport NC page is https://www.facebook.com/SouthportMAD Please feel free to post and share all our content!
Please check out our supporters as well - MAD Supporters
Of course you can PM me here or ask any questions on this post and someone will be happy to answer them. I look forward to seeing you all again and meeting any newcomers!
Note - We will only postpone the event in the matter of a named storm or small craft advisory if it is forecast in advance.
Scott
08-04-2018, 10:20 AM
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
UPDATE - As of now we are up to 47 boats! We would love to reach our goal of 75 and only you can make it happen!
Please keep check on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/SouthportMAD
Please keep check on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/SouthportMAD
08-04-2018, 02:47 PM
#3
This is awesome...can’t wait to do this once I get off active duty and live full time in NC. Thanks for providing an outlet that encourages community that is easy to participate in... that is what is needed!
09-02-2018, 12:44 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well we are inside a week, no storms in the Atlantic and the event is a huge go for launch! We have the Troops, just need a few more boats to help and make this one of the larger events we have had....you won't regret it! Hope to see ya there!
09-04-2018, 08:31 AM
#7
Senior Member
Ill be there with my boat and three additional fish cleaners I am signing up today!
Looking forward to putting some fish in the box for the most amazing people
Looking forward to putting some fish in the box for the most amazing people
Likes:
09-04-2018, 09:03 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by marsh wabbit
wish i could be there this year.
We'll miss you in Southport.....
