 The Take-A-Vet Fishing Tournament on Leech Lake lets veterans from around the world connect with present-day veterans through fishing. Hady Clotter was out on the lake and shows us how these veterans have gone fishing. The ways re-rocking in Leech Lake was filled with veterans and joined a day of fishing. The fifth annual Take-A-Vet Fishing Tournament was in full effect and there was plenty of fish in the lake. A lot of them never get a chance to do this. I think a lot of people, you know, they feel like they get forgotten about a lot of times and I just want them to come and have a enjoyable day. Joe Radha spent seven years in the Army as a staff sergeant. It was a family affair for him as he was there with his children. I've been wanting to do this for a good long time and finally been able to take some time off and do it. In its first year, thirty veterans participated and that number has grown to almost seventy this year. It's the reason veterans keep coming back year after year. The camaraderie, the guides, the guides that volunteer their time and some of these guys have been fishing together for five years now. Some veterans have a difficult time transitioning into life after service but fishing is used as an outlet. We don't like to do other things with a lot of people and it's a healthy activity. Community support means everything to these veterans, such as first-time participant Dennis Hozinger who served twenty-one years in the Navy. There's nothing more honorable than serving your country and there's nothing more important than the payback that the community can give to their veterans. A fishing for vets function where we can honor these vets, get them in the boat, get them to enjoy the beautiful waters of Leech Lake like we experienced today is what it's all about. No one walks away empty-handed. Prizes include hunting cameras and coolers. The top prize of custom fishing rods and cash goes to the veteran with the biggest catch. Nineteen and three-quarters. What a catch. You can expect next year's tournament to be bigger and better in Walker, Haiti, Clotter, Lakeland News. Next year they hope to expand with an ice fishing portion added to the tournament. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.