May 18 event to benefit families of 101st Airborne soldiers
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Families of 101st Airborne soldiers will benefit from a charity bass tournament May 18 at Kentucky Dam State Park Marina. The event is hosted by Stratos Boats.
All proceeds from the tournament will benefit Operation Eagle’s Nest, a fund-raising initiative of the Clarksville, Tenn., and Hopkinsville, Ky., chambers of commerce to provide support to organizations that assist soldiers and their families assigned to Ft. Campbell, Ky.
The “Tribute to the Troops” is a two-man team event. The entry fee is $200 per team, and entries will be limited to the first 300 teams signing up.
The first-place prize is a fully rigged Stratos boat valued at $19,000.
“Stratos has been searching for an activity that would benefit the family members of our brave soldiers who are fighting to free Iraq,” said Kristi Driver, public relations manager for Stratos Boats. “We decided a bass tournament was a great way to involve the families, anglers and our staff. It’s our way of saying `thanks’ for all they do to protect our freedom.”
According to Driver, the event will involve the fishing tournament, a silent auction, marching bands, JROTC members from area high schools, food and fun for families of soldiers stationed at Ft. Campbell. “Every dime of the money we raise will go to Operation Eagle’s Nest,” Driver said.
“While the event is being billed as a tournament, it will also be a day of fun for the families of Ft. Campbell troops,” said Driver. “We’re inviting the families of the troops stationed at Ft. Campbell to come out and enjoy the festivities. Our Stratos pro staff members will be on hand to share fishing tips and to meet with fellow anglers of every experience level.”
A shoreline fishing derby will be held for children beginning at 10 a.m.
“This time of year many of the men and women stationed at Ft. Campbell would normally be wetting a line in Kentucky Lake in their spare time,” said Stratos Boats President Gary Clouse. “But, instead, they are doing their jobs overseas and fighting for our freedom. Since they can’t enjoy the springtime fishing here in Middle Tennessee until they return home safely, we are holding this tournament to support their families and let them know how much we care.”
Stratos is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genmar. Genmar, with approximately 6,000 employees and 12 manufacturing centers in the United States and Canada, is the world’s largest builder of recreational boats and the industry’s technological leader.
For additional information about the Stratos “Tribute to the Troops” event, contact Kristi Driver at (615) 494-2081.