5th Annual “Pay It Forward” Veteran’s Event on Lake of the Woods

It started out as an idea to “give back” to those who have given and still give so much.  The name we chose for the Lake of the Woods Area veteran’s event was “Pay It Forward”.  We thought it was appropriate for many reasons.  This past August, for the fourth straight year, 60 veterans converged on Lake of the Woods for a 3 night, 2 day all expenses paid fishing trip.  We bus some up.  Others drive on their own.  Others come in a vans from different parts of MN.  In all, veterans came from a variety of states.  When it’s all said and done, veterans of all types, male and female, of different conflicts, with a variety of physical and mental ailments come together and rub elbows with other veterans.  Veterans spending time with other veterans, this is a main ingredient that makes the Pay It Forward weekend so special.

This year’s Pay It Forward event takes place August 20-23, 2018 on Lake of the Woods.

There are so many touching stories.  Some are happy stories.  Some are not so happy.  Like many veterans discuss, for many, even though back home, the “battle” is still real, maybe just in a different form. This event allows veterans to forget about challenges, at least for a few days.  Hand picked participants help with a variety if issues effecting our veterans.  How to peruse the VA medical system?  Where can I go for a job?  What does a veteran’s service officer do and how can I reach one?  Are their support groups?  How can I receive help for my specific struggles?

Roughly 20 veterans commit suicide every day.  That number is too high.  A number of caring veterans, people, volunteers and folks working with organizations who help veterans are part of the Pay It Forward weekend.  There are a number of key ingredients that come together to make a good recipe.  Everyone of those ingredients are important and in this case, it is no different.

This year, and since the outset, Fishing For Life was a partner of Pay It Forward.  They are a group based out of the Twin Cities but reaching out to folks throughout the region helping tremendously with bringing veterans together, identifying issues and providing solutions, creating veterans events that are key to fostering support and so much more.

This past year, like every year, very special people who happen to be veterans came to Lake of the Woods and made the event memorable.

The 2018 Pay It Forward event will be August 20-23, 2018.  If you would like to know more, are interested in your company being a sponsor or if you are a veteran or know of a veteran who may be interested, check out www.payitforwardlow.org or our Pay it Forward page.  You can also email Joe Henry at Joe.Henry@LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

Thank you to all veterans and all who protect and serve!

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