A fantastic Christmas Dinner Sponsored by AMVETS Post 18 Enfield CT. This is the second year in a row that Mike Gripp and Jerry Thibodeau of Post 18 coordinated this generous donation. Thank You Mike and Jerry for all you do for our veterans. What a great way to close out 2023!!!  We were honored to have over 1,000 Veterans and 576 Volunteers participate in TAVF events this year. Veterans thank you for your Service to this great nation. Volunteers thank you for helping us keep our promise to our Veterans that they will never be forgotten.

This year’s dinner was served with the assistance of the Girl Scouts, Volunteers and TAVF Board members. The food was excellent, plentiful, and served with a smile. The outstanding decorating was a combined effort led by Diania and Lori.

Once again to close out this great dinner Quilts of Valor presented four quilts to well deserving veterans: Phil Hansely, Mike Gripp, Diane Russo, and Vicky Iversen.

Happy Holidays and best wishes in the New Year to all the volunteers and Veterans.

As always, the volunteers from the Quilts of Valor, Branford Congregational Church, Branford Rotary Club, Branford High Scholl (Interact Club), Disabled Veterans Association and the great piano playing by Lori Nicholson made this a truly special day for our Veterans. The food was excellent, plentiful and served with a smile. The quilts present by “Quilts of Valor” really brought smiles out of four of the veterans, Melissa Weaver, SGT CT Army National Guard, Military Police 1996-2004, John Weaver, CW5 US Navy 1981-1992, CT Army National Guard 1992-2022, TAVF Board Member 2017-Present, Jeannette Davis, SPC Army 1988-1991, Brady Brown, SGT, Marine Corps, 1970-1980.  Thank you to all the volunteers and the Veterans that came out to enjoy this special day.

On behalf of everyone at Take a Vet Fishing (TAVF) , we would like to say Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service. 2023 has been a great year, over a thousand Veterans have fished with us. Looking forward to seeing all the veterans at our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

Once again, the CT weather provided us with a wonderful wet but surprisingly warm day. Thank you to the Guilford Rotary Club for the coffee and bagels, Bank of America, for the outstanding lunch of Burgers, Dogs, the big hit Mac and Cheese, chips and baked beans, and the Jug Head Band for the outstanding music. The fish were few, but the happiness was plentiful!! Fishing has come to an end for 2023, thank you to the 1200 veterans that have participated in this year’s events. The addition of the offshore charters was a great hit and will continue next year, lucky winners will be selected by a random generator and raffles.  

What a wonderful day to rain, Splashes of Hope unveiled a TAVF mural that was hung on the wall in the multipurpose room on the 4^th floor of the Newington VA Hospital on the 16^th of October. Splashes of Hope is a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to brightening the world with ART. Splashes of Hope creates artwork for positive change, transforming medical and social service centers into welcoming, positive environments for patients and staff. Since 1996, thousands of art pieces have been created to brighten and comfort millions of viewers across the country and internationally. Splashes of Hope is a nonprofit organization headquartered in New York, with chapters in Florida and Massachusetts. “FROM CLINICAL TO COLORFUL” a special thank you to Heather Buggee (our founders Neice) and James Knapp Splashes of Hope Consigliere for making this happen.

As the misty wet morning broke out into a cloudy and cool day on the water. 103 veterans from DC up to CT made the best of it catching in excess 300 fish. Congratulations to Cynthia Largest Blue fish 35”, Raffael largest striped bass 32”, Debby and Mike tied for the largest Porgy, and Larry most unusual fish Toad Fish.  

A big shout to BYC Board Members, Volunteers, event coordinators and boat crews. 35 fishing boats, 2 sail boats and 1 shoreline cruise boat provided 103 veterans an unforgettable day of sailing, sightseeing, fishing and a great cookout.

Thank you, Branford CT Elks Lodge No. 139 for the breakfast sandwiches and coffee to get this event into gear, Sunrise Park Band for the great music, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Rock Hill VA Home for providing transportation for the Veterans, Lennys Indian Head Inn for the great chowder, Carter Cares for the transportation of donated items from Midwest Food Bank Manchester CT, and Gil Simmons for the promotional exposure. This is a great way to roll up fishing each year for TAVF!! 

Thank you, Take a Veteran Fishing (TAVF) for organizing the veterans in attendance. While our debt to our veterans can never be fully repaid, TAVF has made it their duty to fulfill the promise that they will never be forgotten. This year TAVF Season XVII supported 17 events, fresh/saltwater fishing, Holiday Dinners, and Parades. Providing approx. 1,100 veterans with the opportunity to get out and fish and spend time with fellow veterans.

FISH ON!!!!

Killiams Point, once again a great day of fishing!! The tide was a little challenging, once we found the sweet spot, the fish were on.  Over 150 fish and 85 Veterans were in attendance.  Thank you, Stoney Creek Congregational Church for your generous support in providing and serving coffee and donuts in the morning and a great lunch of burgers and dogs. Thank you to the Jug Head Band for the great music, the Branford Fire Department for site safety and all the remaining 46 Volunteers that supported this event. 

Bobs plan did not disappoint!! First offshore Audrey Joy TAVF Fishing charter. Yes, the first, there will be many to come. Thank you to Captain Mike and Mate JJ, and fishermen assistants Bob and Jon for a great trip. The weather was a little sketchy and the fish were where the weather, so as good fisherman do, we made it off to the rougher seas for the catch (the Middle Grounds). The fishing was fantastic!! Over 60 fish caught Sea Bass and Blues.

Killiams Point, once we battled the low tide schedule a Great of fishing was had. Over 200 fish and 76 veterans were in attendance.  Thank you, Branford Rotary Club, for your generous support in providing and serving breakfast and lunch. Thank you to Quilts of Valor, Jug Head Band, Branford Fire Department and all the remaining 57 Volunteers that supported this event.  

Sea Sprite 3 August 2023

Great day of fishing and swapping Sea Stores with Captain Matt, First Mate Joana, Chris Barker (Active Guard Major) Bonnie Mills (Army Veteran, John Weaver (Retired CW5) and Juan Reyes-Matos (Navy Veteran) . Caught over twenty fish and we all limited out. Can say enough positive things about this boat and crew. Thanks again for supporting the great hero’s of this country.

2023 All Hands Saltwater Kick Off Event. The fishing was outstanding over 300 fish taken, and 109 Veterans participated. The Knights of Columbus breakfast sandwiches were a hit once again. Thank you to all the Veterans for your service and sacrifice to this Great Nation.