Eleven vets take part in Sardis Lake Wounded Vet grabbling day

Published 12:41 pm Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Eleven vets take part in Sardis Lake Wounded Vet grabbling day

Billy Kelly has his hands full with this catfish caught at Sardis Lake during the recent Wounded Vets fishing event.

SARDIS LAKE – Eleven heroic veterans and many local volunteers met up for the 2017 Wounded Veterans Grabbling event, hosted by the US Army Corps of Engineers at Sardis Lake June 2 and 3.
This marks the third consecutive year the Sardis Lake Field Office has teamed up with the Panola County Sherriff’s Office as well as local volunteers putting on this hand fishing event. This grabbling event allows the opportunity to bring wounded veterans together and show how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.

Billy Dobbs snags his catch at Sardis Lake.

The veterans arrived Friday, June 2 and were treated to a delicious BBQ rib and chicken supper prepared by Slick McDonald.
Saturday morning began with breakfast provided by Mike Davis owner of The Dam Store and fishing began around 8:30 a.m.

Christopher Glory shows off his catfish caught during the Wounded Veteran event held at Sardis Lake recently. See more coverage on page A13.
Photo submitted by Chris Gurner

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Veterans were transported on the scenic waters of Sardis Lake via boats provided by local volunteers. Fishing took place in the shallow waters of Sardis as the Veterans waded alongside local guides Nick Hudson, Logan Potts, and Lonnie Chrestman.
The fishing expedition was truly amazing and full of excitement as the veterans wrestled 15 catfish out of the productive waters of Sardis Lake.
After a thrilling day on the water, the veterans and volunteers gathered at Pats Bluff Campground and enjoyed a fine southern meal of fried catfish, alligator, hushpuppies, and fries.

Veterans participating in the Sardis Lake Wounded Warrior Grabbling events include (kneeling, l. to r.) Billy Dobbs, Johnny Graves, Billy Kelly; (standing) Brooks Swink, Jamie Villafane, James Coggins, Cliff Chaisson, Michael Savoie, John Ellis, Justin Turk, Christopher Glory.

An event’s success is dependent on a network of volunteers. On Behalf of the Sardis Lake Field Office, we want to sincerely thank our volunteers for helping make this years Wounded Veterans Grabbling Event a huge success. We greatly appreciate your dedication and support as we seek to give back to the veterans who have given so much for us. Again, we thank you for your generosity and look forward to working with each of you again.
Veterans were Michael Savoie, John Ellis, Brooks Swink, Billy Dobbs, Billy Kelly, James Coggins, Christopher Glory, Cliff Chaisson, Jamie Villafane, Justin Turk, and Johnny Graves.
Volunteers included Panola County Sherriff Department, Blake Shipp from Guaranty Bank, Mike Davis from the Dam Store, Jason Chrestman, Leo Chrestman, Lonnie Chrestman, Kelly Potts, David and Jewel Goss, Johnny and Liz Dalton, Slick and Trina McDonald, Corey Melton, Larry Hall, Howard Brower, Cathy Rosamond, Nick Hudson, Logan Potts and Jay Davis.