Fishing for Freedom with the Dula family

The 340 anglers, 80 volunteers and 40 boat owners who showed up to the Department of Georgia 5th District’s annual Fishing For Freedom event on May 2 were treated to beautiful 80-degree weather, a sumptuous meal of pulled pork and hot dogs, and – of course – lots of fishing. Although the event moves around occasionally within the Fifth District, this year’s venue at Georgia Power’s Plant Wansley couldn’t have been more perfect.

Rick Cowan is a member of American Legion Post 145 in Douglasville, Ga., and the chairman of Fishing for Freedom 2015, which took place just outside Carrolton.

“We have a beautiful park with two beautiful lakes that are fully stocked, and all the picnic facilities, bathrooms and kitchens you need to host an event like this,” Cowan said. “And (Georgia Power) has graciously allowed us to use it free of charge and have been very supportive of our Fishing For Freedom project.

“Fishing for Freedom is just a fun-filled family day of fishing and fellowship to show our appreciation for the veterans who have service-related injuries. It’s just a way of The American Legion Fifth District of Georgia to show our appreciation to the veterans.”

Ray Dula of Newnan, Ga. – a “military brat,” Gold Star Widow and Army veteran who served as a military police officer with service in Korea and Fort MacPherson – brought her four young children to enjoy the day.

“I was just hoping to show my kids a little bit more about their dad,” Dula said. “You know he’s not with us, but I kind of wanted them to see what his legacy is, what it would have been if he was still with us. He loved to fish.”

“(This opportunity with Fishing for Freedom) means a lot as a mom because I have my father. II don’t know what it’s like to not have him. I have him still to make memories with and do things he likes, but for my kids, they don’t have that. So if I can do anything to give them that, even if it’s just for an afternoon, I’ll do that. And I think that’s what we accomplished by being here today.”

Her four children – Royce (age 9), twins Eyan and Emmarie (5), and Erianna (4) – had a good time playing with the bucket of fish. Unfortunately, it was only the bucket with the bait fish, as they showed little patience in letting the fish get to the hook before they reeled them in. Erianna, in particular, seemed to enjoy pouring the small container of worms directly into the bucket of minnows because, as she said, “maybe they can be friends.” Alas, they did not become friends, and the dirt killed most of the minnows, though living or dead, they were all later set free by the giggling children.

“You catch some fish or you’re all grounded” joked Dula as she got some sun in the back of the boat.

While they spent the morning fishing off the dock, and playing with the minnows, the children got a special treat after lunch when local volunteer, Capt. Keith (a manager of a sewage treatment plant with grandkids the same age as the Dulas), took them out on his pontoon boat and even let them drive. The highlight seemed to be the children containing to beep the horn on the boat, which Keith jokingly kept trying to stop them from doing. Keith’s likely in no danger from the kids taking over his lakes, as the trip across the tiny lake seemed interminable as they steered in tight S formations back and forth.

Dula noted the preparation her military service gave her for later being a mom. “When you have these soldiers, your job is to in some ways parent them and mold them into future NCOs and officers,” she said. “With my kids, I’m just molding them into future ladies and gentlemen.”

She ought to know. Her father was a drill sergeant in the Marine Corps. “So I was used to that way of life already. That’s why when it was time to either go to college or join the army or the military, the military seemed the most natural thing for me to do. It’s all I’ve ever known.”

But don’t expect Dula to become a fisherwoman. “Absolutely not” she said with a chuckle. “(My husband) was really outdoorsy. He just loved the outdoors, wilderness, fishing, camping, and that’s not something I particularly care for. But I feel like it’s my obligation as the mother of his children, and the only parent left for my kids, to bring as much of the things that he liked into our everyday life.”

She added that if she wanted to eat fish, it seemed easier to go to the local Publix, a comment she made with a smile that seemed to brighten even the brightest Georgia day. “But I don’t want them to forget him and the things that were important to him,” she said.

Dula now works as a customer service representative with State Farm Insurance. She values the time she spent in the military, and how it prepared her for life as a civilian and as a mom.

“The military was a big part of my life, and it did wonderful things for me and my husband, so to be invited to something like this … the military is a family, so it reminds you that you’re still – despite that fallen soldier not being present – you’re still welcome, and they want you here.”

Fifth District Commander Eddie Asberry couldn’t have been happier when he heard Dula’s comments. “This is our premier program for the Fifth District” he said. “We support disabled veterans, and Gold Star Mothers and families and any injured veteran, and we give them an opportunity to fish and relax with their family. We get veterans from all over the state and surrounding states. We furnish them rods and reels and tackle boxes, and we feed them both breakfast and lunch, and then they are off to fishing.”

The goal, Cowan said, is for everyone to enjoy “a good day of relaxation and fun and fellowship with other veterans that are here going back to WWII, Korea, Vietnam and, of course, the desert wars. We’re all kind of one big family regardless of what time we served, so it is just a way of us fellowshipping together and them bringing their families and having a good day.”

The program began about five years ago when a Legionnaire who is a professional fisherman wanted to hold an event and needed some volunteers. The American Legion came in with volunteers and some funds, and took it over a year later. It started with about 100 veterans showing up and has grown by 300 percent since. The Legionnaire/professional angler still works with the program; his knowledge and connections to local fishing supply companies make the funds go a bit further and allow them to support more veterans.

The event generally costs around $9,000 and is specifically earmarked from donations made by posts and local businesses. Families who have to travel long distances to the event are even housed in local hotels the night before, care of the Fifth District.

When asked who he wanted to thank, Asberry listed a host of corporate contributors and area Legion posts who contributed and added, with a chuckle,, “We also want to thank the supreme architect of the universe for giving us this sunny day, because it’s been raining seven days in Georgia now.”

Dula was melancholy about her husband not being here to enjoy the day. “I can so see him here baiting the hooks and teaching the kids the techniques of fishing,” she said before concluding on a happy note: “We didn’t catch anything, but we made memories.”