As a 100% veteran-owned business, we’re proud to support a variety of organizations and events that provide veterans with financial support, tools and resources, and just plain fun. One of our newer sponsorships is with the Fishing with Veterans organization.
This annual event is a free, full-day fishing excursion on Lake Michigan for local veterans. Fishing with Veterans draws in a wide range of support including ship captains who donate their time, vessels and equipment to give back to our veterans.
Pioneer President Wayne Linderman first heard about Fishing with Veterans at another fishing event, the annual Big Red Classic tournament, where he struck up a conversation with a stranger wearing a Fishing with Veterans t-shirt. “I was curious about the t-shirt,” said Wayne, “so I started talking to her about what it was and it turned out she was the president of the organization.”
As a veteran and fishing-fan himself, Wayne expressed interest in supporting the organization however they needed. Fishing with Vets president Traci Sylte reached out later to discuss Pioneer’s participation and support for the next excursion. Pioneer is currently a Fishing with Veterans sponsor and plans on furthering the support to be more involved with the organization and event as a whole.
The decision to serve in our armed forces often comes at great personal cost, and Wayne has always been passionate about recognizing this sacrifice and helping veterans in need. Whether it be through the support of non-profit organizations like Fishing with Veterans, or through the creation of opportunities, Pioneer Systems will continue to respect and care for the women and men who wear the uniform.
Fishing with Veterans 2023 is on Saturday July 8th. You can find captain sign up, veteran application, and donation and volunteer opportunities on the Fishing with Veterans website. We hope to see you at this year’s event!
About Wayne
Wayne served as a US Army Aviation Officer piloting CH-47D Chinook helicopters and is always looking for ways to get involved in the veteran community. He is also a huge fisherman and outdoors person and was on the board of the Big Red Classic fishing tournament for five years.