There are many ways to honor the men and women who have made a difference in our lives, but the most appropriate ways always seem to be through actions that remind us of them.

Perhaps that is why it comes as little surprise that a local fishing guide who has been bonding with people over bait and tackle for roughly two decades has found a way to serve military veterans, like his close friend and fishing buddy Joe Gilham, on the water years after Gilham passed.

Many of the veterans served by Ken Bearden’s Veterans Fishing Organization would not otherwise be able to go fishing alone due to medical conditions, which are often tied to their service. 

The loss of a beloved hobby is a discouragement that VFO aims to save veterans from, but in the process, networks are formed. Resources are shared. A support group is created. Even an unlucky fishing trip can result in relationships, which are  formed over hours spent together talking, joking or just enjoying the scenery. 

We’d like to thank Bearden for taking that time.