Veterans enjoy a day out fishing

Veterans enjoy a day out fishing

By Adva Saldinger
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Jul 24, 2008 @ 03:12 AM
Last update Jul 24, 2008 @ 03:50 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUINCY — Bob Cunio did three tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine, was stabbed, wounded by an improvised explosive device and is being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and substance-abuse problems at the Brockton Veterans Administration hospital.

On Wednesday he put all that aside, kicked back on a lobster boat and cast a line into the waters of Boston Harbor.

“I think it’s a good deal,” he said. “Staying on the grounds is not good. It’s good for you to get out and see that life goes on.”

He was on a boat with several friends who made the most of their first time at the 52nd annual Harvey’s Salt Water Fishing Club Vets’ Day at the Quincy Yacht Club.

“This is really great; I’m excited,” said Allan Visser, an Army veteran who served in the Gulf War and who is also at the Brockton VA hospital. “I’ve met a lot of new friends, and it gives you a lot of hope.”

Twenty lobster boat owners volunteered their boats and time to take the almost 200 veterans out.

“We owe a lot to these guys,” said Dana Riques, an Army veteran living in the Chelsea Soldiers Home who had tried his luck fishing the past four years at the event.

This year Riques had a bit more luck. He managed to hook a skate, which he threw back.

Veterans of all ages went out for several hours, despite cloudy skies, and several managed to catch flounder.

After they were done fishing, and just as it started raining, the veterans sat down to a meal. They sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” heard from Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, and won prizes in a raffle.

Paul DaCosta, a Marine Corps veteran who served during peacetime, is at the Brockton VA hospital with a broken leg. “It’s kind of motivating to see all the vets,” he said.

Christopher Davis, who served in Iraq during the Gulf War with the Navy SeaBees, also said he had a great time at the event. He has been in and out of the hospital for treatment of post-traumatic stress since leaving the Navy in 1994.

“It means a lot to me all the vets together going out on the trip,” he said.

Adva Saldinger may be reached at asaldinger@ledger.com.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

what a wonderful thing for these people to do SALUTE

Sphere: Related Content