Community joins forces to provide free fishing for veterans

By Kendra Raymond

Veterans in the Lakes Region are fortunate to be part of a community dedicated to providing resources and support for those who served. The Sebago Lake Anglers Association (SLAA) will be teaming up with local businesses and organizations to host the 8th Annual May Veteran’s Fishing Event from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 15 on Sebago Lake.

A veteran shows his catch during last year's
Veterans Fishing Event at Sebago Lake State 
Park. This year's Veterans Fishing Event
runs from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on
Sebago Lake and is free to all veterans.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kevin Ronan is president of the Sebago Lake Anglers Association of Raymond and is an active member of American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 in Windham. The association he leads is committed to community outreach and conducts the event each year as a way of saying thank you to veterans for their military service.

“Members of the Sebago Lake Anglers Association have close ties to American Legion post 148, as many of our members belong to both groups,” Ronan said. “A number of years ago a dialogue began between the two groups to see how we could help each other.”

He says the concept of the Veterans Fishing Event was the brainchild of retired Air Force Colonel Bob Chapin, who is the President Emeritus of the SLAA. Chapin worked alongside Adjutant David Tanguay of Post 148 in creating the event.

“We use our resources for a day on the lake just for veterans,” Ronan said. “It involves members of SLAA taking veterans out fishing for a day from Sebago Lake State Park. We have a lot of gear in our trailer and sharing it with veterans is something we like to do.”

The day kicks off with free breakfast for the veterans, courtesy of Village Donut Shop & Bakery in Raymond. The bakery will provide coffee and donuts for the fishermen before they embark on their fishing adventures.

“Village Donut is involved in everything good in our community,” Ronan said. “It is a favorite of everyone. The owner gives us two dozen donuts free of charge for our American Legion Post 148 meetings in Windham, which are held behind Hannaford. They’ve gotten to know the veterans and are very supportive.”

What’s more, following a great day of fishing, veterans will be treated to a picnic lunch.

“Once they finish fishing, they eat!” said Ronan. “This year we have been very blessed. Ryan Cormier, the owner of Cormier’s Dog House in Windham, will be preparing and donating lunch for our veterans.”

Participants can choose any combo of two hotdogs and/or hamburgers, chips or French fries, and a drink for their lunch.

Ronan said he expects to host around 40 veterans out on the lake this year. He says that the event is growing exponentially and is a function of outreach.

“We reached out to all the American Legion posts in the northeast, so we will be fishing with local veterans and some from afar,” he said.

Tanguay is a proponent of getting veterans into key positions in Windham’s American Legion post. Ronan says that the involvement and support of the post then translates into getting veterans out and involved in their communities.

Ronan says he also gives a tip of the hat to several SLAA club members who are Registered Maine Guides who are helping out with the event.

“We are lucky that several of our members are Registered Maine Guides who live and work in our area,” Ronan said. “They are an invaluable resource in providing education on public waterways and fish species. Last year we caught 165 fish. The boats actually came in early because they caught their limit.”

Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife also partners with the event, providing one-day fishing passes with the fee waived for participating veterans but the partnership doesn’t stop there.

“If the veterans don’t want their fish, we will donate any discarded fish to the Maine Wildlife Park to feed the eagles and small mammals,” said Ronan. “There is no waste.”

According to Ronan, the Veterans Fishing Event is a great day for many veterans and their families.

“We just want to thank the veterans for their service,” he said. “We’d like to take you fishing and spend the morning on Sebago Lake with you.”

The event will be held at Sebago Lake State Park and leaves from the boat ramp there. It is free and open to all veterans regardless of age, branch of service, or physical abilities. Pre-registration is required, and slots are filling up quickly due to limited boats and gear.

Veterans will be provided with everything needed for a great day of fishing including bait, boats, and gear. Free breakfast and a picnic lunch will be provided.

For more information about SLAA or the Veteran’s Fishing Event, call 207-838-4855 send an email to kronan388@gmail.com

Check out the Sebago Lake Anglers Association page on Facebook for upcoming events and news. <