Anglers weigh in for Night Stalkers and Families

RELEASE NUMBER: 090423-02
DATE POSTED: APRIL 23 2009

By Kimberly Tiscione
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Public Affairs

PARIS LANDING, Tenn.(USASOC News Service, April 23, 2009)  -   More than 160 boats launched in Kentucky Lake for the 11th annual Night Stalker Association Bass Tournament April 18 at Paris Landing State Park, Tenn.

Night Stalkers Fou Moaga posses with a "keeper" bass just pulled from the water during the 2009 Night Stalker Bass Tournament at Paris Landing State Park, Tenn, April 18, 2009. (Photo by Kimberly Tiscione, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Public Affairs.)

The winning team of Mike Hardin and Bobby Holmes weighed in 21.9 lbs. of bass. Taking second place was Brian Brock and Sonny Morrison with 21.11 lbs. and third was John Grinder and David Delones with 18.94 lbs.

"This is the most boats we've ever had participate," said Tony Fuller, vice president of the Night Stalker Association. "It was a great turnout."

Competitor Harry Barber was the big fish winner with a 6.85 lb. bass.

The tournament also has the Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jamie Weeks award presented to the active duty Soldier with the single biggest fish. Weeks, an avid fisherman and regular NSA tournament participant, was killed in action following a 2006 helicopter crash while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This year's winner was Night Stalker Mike King with a bass weighing 4.74 lbs. Weeks' brother, Joel Weeks, traveled all the way from the Washington, D.C., area to participate in the tournament and present the award.

Participants ranged from current and retired Night Stalkers, to friends of Night Stalkers, to local tournament bass fisherman and others who have heard about the tournament through word-of-mouth. Even non-anglers came out to enjoy the festivities and observe the weigh-in.

The competitors battle temperatures around 63 degrees, cloudy skies and choppy water throughout the day.

"It's been tough," said retired Night Stalker Dave Lockhart. "We caught a bunch of fish but lots of small ones."

Lockhart is one of the tournament founders. He is on his ninth Night Stalker tournament, missing only two because of deployments.
Some competitors found their sweet spot though.

"We've already had four 'keepers'," said Night Stalker Fou Moaga. "We're wearing 'em out all day."

Second place winners Brian Brock and Sonny Morrison await their weigh-in total following the 2009 Night Stalker Bass Tournament at Paris Landing State Park,Tenn, April 18, 2009. (Photo by Kimberly Tiscione, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Public Affairs.)

The real story of this tournament, however, is the cause. All funds raised from the tournament directly benefit the Night Stalker Association, specifically the fund for children with terminally ill diseases, the children of fallen Night Stalkers scholarship fund and the general scholarship fund. 

The tournament is run solely by volunteers and is supported by numerous area individuals and companies.

This event started in 1998 when a Soldier in the 160th Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) shop with a terminally ill child had a financial need during an unimaginably trying time in his family's life. Brian Henley, who oversaw the ALSE shop at the time, coordinated the first tournament to assist the family. It was such a huge success, the NSA saw an opportunity to support Night Stalkers and their Families for years to come. 

"We wanted to make this a bass tournament like no other," Henley said.

Eleven years later, it is known as one of the premier tournaments in the area and is truly a family event.

Throughout its growth, the event has maintained its roots.

"At the end of the day, it helps to meet the needs of Night Stalkers. That's the whole point of it," said Scott Hedges, a volunteer from the ALSE shop.

Soldiers in the ALSE shop throughout the years have embraced the event and continue volunteering to carry on the tradition.

"It's a lot of effort but it's worth it," said Hedges. "They come out here for the cause."

Numerous others in the community recognize this as a worthy cause as well.

"Unequivocally, the success of this bass tournament is based on an outpouring of support from our local businesses and vendors," Henley said.

Even a professional angler found his way to the tournament. Mike McClelland was on hand to help volunteers from the Montgomery County Bass Club with the official weigh-in and mingle with attendees.

The NSA hopes to bring in 200 teams for next year's tournament.

The full story and photos are available online at: http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20Archive/2009/April/090423-02.html

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