About Me
Served as a Combat Engineer in the 101st airborne
Served as a Combat Engineer in the 101st airborne
Served as a Combat Engineer in the 101st airborne
I joined the Army in 2009 as a Combat Engineer (12B). I was a Member of A Co. 4th BSTB 4th BCT. 4th Brigade 101st Airborne Division. I Deployed to Afghanistan in 2010-11 (RCP6). After deployment I had fulfilled my active duty contract and received an Honorable discharge under medical conditions in 2012 from the New Jersey National Guard.
Rediscovering a Passion
Served as a Combat Engineer in the 101st airborne
Served as a Combat Engineer in the 101st airborne
After many years of being addicted to opiates, I made the choice to get sober. I soon found myself with a lot of time on my hands. I used to fish all summer long when I was a kid and one day I decided to go fishing. Low and behold I caught a 3 pound Largemouth bass under an overhanging tree limb and I was hooked.
Finding Purpose
Served as a Combat Engineer in the 101st airborne
Finding Purpose
That winter I started All Bassed Up Fishing Company. I made bass jigs and sold them online and at local markets. Between Fishing and tackle making I was very busy which, I know, was a major reason I continued to stay sober those first couple years. I soon was thinking about and planning Catching Vets. I want to help others stay sober
That winter I started All Bassed Up Fishing Company. I made bass jigs and sold them online and at local markets. Between Fishing and tackle making I was very busy which, I know, was a major reason I continued to stay sober those first couple years. I soon was thinking about and planning Catching Vets. I want to help others stay sober by teaching what I've learned through my journey and help others identify that thing that drives them to succeed and live a purpose filled life.
How Catching Vets helps
The Process
Starting a new hobby is often an intimidating, but also an expensive process. Most people will have all the motivation needed, but lack the financial resources necessary to begin. We start our veterans off with an introduction into fishing/hiking/paddle sports/tackle making, and the list goes on, with a local expert. We do this to ensure their first experience is a positive one and one that teach them necessary lessons to pursue that activity safely and productively. After the that we talk about their experience and see if that is something they would like to pursue on their own or with others in the Catching Vets community. We remove every financial barrier to entry that veteran may face and provide them with the necessary equipment to start participating in that activity right away. We can't buy you a bass boat, but we start veterans off with 2 fishing rods, 2 reels (spinning and bait casting), and a fully loaded backpack tacklebox. All equipment provided is brand new and of good quality. (Our veterans deserve it)
