NPAA Members & NPAA Supporting Partners honor our military veterans
Jun 26th, 2015 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jun 26th, 2015 at 12:00 AM
Pictured from Left to Right: Mark Tews, Tom Witkowski, Dan Darling, Jake Trombley, Peter Schaefer & Dennis Gulau. Not Pictured: John Gillman, Ed. Clements
NPAA Tournament Partner “WALLEYES FOR WARRIORS” held it’s 5th annual 2015 Walleyes for Warriors event at Veterans Park in Bay City, Michigan (Saginaw Bay, Michigan) on Father’s Day, June 21, 2015.
Ten NPAA Members supported this year’s event, which hosted approximately 270 U.S. Military Veterans from WWII to today’s military deployment around the world, and approximately 140 Boats were in this year’s event.
This year’s Walleyes for Warriors event recognizing and welcoming home our U.S. Veterans was another well received and successful day-long event honoring all U.S. Military Branch Veterans for their service to our country.
The Walleyes for Warriors fishing event was Founded in 2011 by Nels Larsen and is continually coordinated by Mr. Larsen, who served in the U.S. Navy, following a family tradition of his Father and seven uncles who served in WWII. Mr. Larsen served most of his time on the inland rivers of Vietnam near DaNang. Mr. Larsen was also honored this year as the 25th Annual “Bay County Michigan Veteran of the Year”.
With an appreciation that not all U.S. Veterans had received the deference and appreciation that Veterans should have received upon their return home, Mr. Larsen saw the need to remedy this unfortunate situation and did something remarkable to remedy this need to Recognize and Honor all U.S. Veterans “coming home” from any Military Deployment in the service, regardless of the Military Branch of Service, Location of Deployment of the Veteran’s service (Foreign or Domestic) or the respective Theater and timeline in the defense of this country.
Hence: the U.S. Military Veteran’s “Walleyes For Warriors” was born and has been an outstanding annual event since its inception thanks to Mr. Larsen.
NPAA Supporting Partners that also provide Sponsorships to the “Walleyes For Warriors”:
Advance Tex Screen Printing (ATS), NPAA Gold Level Partner, (John Gillman)
Worldwide Marine Underwriters, NPAA Gold Level Partner, (Bob Luellen)
NPAA Members (Acting as Boat Captains and donating their respective Time, Boats, Gear, and donating all their associated costs for this event):
Dan Darling #175, Dan is a well known veteran Pro Walleye Tour Angler on the National as well as the Midwest Pro circuits. Dan’s sponsors: Linwood Beach Marina, Nitro Boats, Mercury Marine, Humminbird Electronics, OX Industries, Off Shore Tackle, Jason Mitchell Rods, Clam Outdoors. Dan Darling had two Veteran Guests: Norman Drzewiecki, USAF (Currently Active) & John Schadt, U.S. Army.
John Gillman #871, (not pictured, Not Interviewed) A Top ranked National and Midwest Professional Walleye Angler & repeated Top Pro Tour money winner. Sponsored by: Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, minn Kota & Humminbird Electronics. John is also the Owner of ATS, (Advance Tex Screen Printing, an NPAA Gold Level Supporting Partner) and is a Saginaw Bay Walleye Club Board of Directors member. Tom Witkowski # 670, Tom is a highly experienced Tour Pro with consistent top money finishes. This year Tom and his Veteran Guests caught the 3rd largest walleye in this year’s 2015 WFW event (an event with 140 participating Boats). Tom hosted Veteran Arnie Himbaugh, U.S.Navy. Tom is sponsored by: Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Lowrance Electronics, Minn- Kota & Berkley.
Dennis Gulau #504 , Dennis is a well-known Pro Walleye Angler, (as well as a very successful Angler of other Great Lakes Species), a highly respected Walleye, et el Seminar Speaker and is an Advisor on the Lake Huron Basin Fisheries Advisory Committee. Dennis’ Guest Veterans were Chris Wicker and Fred Liupakka, both are career Army Veterans with over 20 years of service and Veterans of multiple conflicts.
Mark Tews #550, Mark is a well respected Pro Angler from the Lake St. Clair area. Mark is Sponsored by “Suzy’s Tackle Company”.
Peter Schaefer #553, Peter Schaefer is a Strong Walleye Professional Tour Angler recently joining the NPAA. Mr. Schaefer is also the Saginaw Bay Walleye Club’s Newsletter Editor.
Jake Trombley #490, which I believe, is another Pro Angler recently joining the NPAA, and Jake was on Pete Schaefer’s Boat to assist with their Guest Veterans, Eugene Jozwiak, a 92 year old Army soldier from WWII ( and in-part, why we won that little skirmish) and Andrew Comtois, a U.S. Marine that recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pro Pete Schaefer is Sponsored by: Water Fowlers For warriors and Bugsy’s Baits. Pro Jake Trombley is also Sponsored by Bugsy’s Baits and Cuming’s Nets
Frank Majdecki, Sr. #209, Frank is a long time Tournament Pro and Past President of the Saginaw Bay Walleye Club, (the Sponsor to the “Michigan Walleye Tour”). Frank is Sponsored by Offshore Tackle Company, (an NPAA Silver Level Sponsor and Offshore Tackle is Owned by Mr. Bruce DeShano, NPAA #006 (Nick DeShano of Offshore Tackle is NPAA #455)). It is my understanding that Mr. Majdecki was admitted to the hospital just before the WFW event was not able to be on his boat.
Ed Clements #622, (not pictured, not interviewed) Ed is a long-time Pro Walleye Tournament Angler, Saginaw Bay Walleye Club Board Of Directors Member, A Bay City Public Schools Fishing Club Advisory Committee Member. Ed. Is Sponsored by: Starcraft Marine, Mercury Marine, Trailmaster Trailers, AuGres Marine, St. Croix Rods, Church Tackle & Big Bite Baits.