TORRINGTON – Attention all Goshen, Platte, or Niobrara County military veterans, now is the time to submit your entry to win a guided fishing trip at Glendo State Park on June 12. 

The drawing is open to all persons who have served or are currently serving in the United States military and residents can enter one ticket, per day through May 30 for their opportunity to win. 

“I was a member of the Torrington VFW in 2021 and I was looking to expand their veteran outreach program because they really didn’t have very many,” Matthew Berry said. “Through some brainstorming, I got some relativities, uncles, my grandfather, that used to love to fish, and I thought you know what, I bet there are a lot of other veterans out there that enjoy fishing. I like fishing too, but that’s where the idea came from, and then through the VFW, I developed the ‘Take a Vet Fishing’ event.”

Berry explained he has gathered volunteers for the program along the way. 

“It was pretty much me the first year,” Berry said. “I came up with everything. The VFW helped fund it, monetarily. That first year we did it was the summer of 2022, and we took three veterans and that’s how it started.”

In the beginning, Berry explained he only had one boat available to use for the event however they now have more boats available with the help of fishing guide Bruce Nepper. 

“Bruce talked to Joe, who owns Recycled Eyez Walleye Guides. Joe thought it was a really great idea, he supports veterans 100% so then Joe basically said my entire guiding service is going to take part in this annually,” Berry explained. “So, he brought in the rest of the guides under Recycled Eyez and that’s pretty much what we do.”

Berry explained he does the administrative parts of the event such as the production of flyers, finding funding, and sponsorships while the guides take the veterans fishing. 

According to Berry, they even have boats for veterans with limited mobility.

“We were able to get a pontoon boat donated to us for a day from Bellwood Boats over there in Glendo and the intent on the pontoon boat was for any veterans who had disabilities, wheelchair bound, or something a little more stable,” Berry said. “We didn’t have any veterans who needed that, but we were prepared for it. I want it to be for everybody. It doesn’t matter what shape you’re in, we’re going to accommodate you so you can go fishing.”

Berry has been spearheading the event to give back to military veterans. 

“I did 21 years in the Wyoming Army National Guard. I was on two developments,” Berry said. “It’s just one way I want to give back to veterans because, once they are done, some of them get forgotten about. When you’re in, you’ve got a lot of friends. You’ve got that comodeir and when you either return or ETS which stands for the end of time in service and just get out, you just sometimes don’t see those friends ever again or rarely. 

Berry explained one of the important reasons for starting this event is for veterans to have a sense of family again. 

“They can get together with their brothers and sisters with some common ground and just have that conversation and feel their brotherhood or sisterhood again,” Berry explained. 

Sack lunches will be provided by Twisters and a complimentary BBQ will be hosted by B & A Marina for the participants. 

Berry also expressed the guides will also prepare the fresh catch for the veterans to take home and enjoy. 

The event is sponsored by numerous businesses in Goshen, Platte, or Niobrara Counties however veterans can enter to win the trip at Century Lumber (Torrington), Bloedorn Lumber (Torrington), Interstate Gas Conoco (Wheatland), Thrifty Foods (Wheatland), Howshar’s Hardware (Guernsey), Glendo Trading Post (Glendo) and Allbright’s True Value Hardware (Lusk). 

For additional information, please contact Matthew Berry at (307) 575-4997.