Veterans treated to day on lake; tournament a way to say thanks to those who served Tournament a way to say thanks to those who served

Jeff Jones of South Roxanna weighs his bass Saturday during the Bassin’ for the Brave tournament at Lake Jacksonville. Jeff Jones of South Roxanna weighs his bass Saturday during the Bassin’ for the Brave tournament at Lake Jacksonville. Photo: Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree | Journal-Courier Photo: Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree | Journal-Courier Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Veterans treated to day on lake; tournament a way to say thanks to those who served 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A band of veterans came together Saturday to compete in a bass tournament in honor of those who served in the military.

The Bassin’ for the Brave bass fishing tournament was the creation of Glenn Robson. While he was in Michigan, Robson took part in a fishing event for veterans by serving as a captain for one of the boats.

Robson said he was inspired to start his own event in west-central Illinois, specifically one that was solely for veterans and not a fundraiser.

“I’ve done a lot of fishing here in central Illinois and I have never come across a tournament where you just take veterans, for honoring them and having fun,” Robson said, “That had nothing to do with raising money for any type of thing or a cause — it was literally just to take them out for a day and enjoy the day.”

Planning started a year ago and Robson enlisted the help of Jacksonville American Legion and Jacksonville AmVets.

This is the first year for the tournament, but Robson said he plans to make the event a yearly occurrence and he already has plans for expanding the tournament to include other fish, such as crappie.

The veterans had just under six hours to catch their bass, which were weighed shortly after on the boat docks.

Steve Heinz, an Army veteran from New Berlin, said he was pleased this type of event was planned.

“I know this was the first, but I can’t wait until the second,” Heinz said. “Someone out of the goodness of their their heart planned this for the veterans. It was really nice.”

Volunteers manned the boats while the 11 veterans caught their fish.

Duane Montgomery, a Navy veteran from Fieldon, said he enjoyed the time out on the water.

“It was great to be able to just come up and enjoy it,” he said.

The fisherman who caught the largest bass received a wooden flag and a plaque, while the fisherman who caught the shortest received a plaque and a bucket filled with tools and appliances.

All participants received gift certificates from various stores and restaurants in the Jacksonville area.