Local dentist helps honor Michigan veterans with fishing trip
by Judy Williams
From the first time local dentist Dr. Gary Adiska volunteered for “Tight Lines for Troops,” he was hooked on the event.
Tight Lines for Troops honors veterans with a free charter fishing tournament on Lake Michigan. This year, 300 Michigan veterans and more than 50 captains and their boats took part.
It’s a tournament full of memorable moments, beginning with the morning ceremony, Adiska said. “Imagine,” he added, “being part of a fleet of 50 fishing boats that leaves the harbor area at the same time and turns off their engines. There’s a Coast Guard ship anchored just outside the harbor. On the back deck of the Coast Guard ship is a bugler who plays ‘Taps,’ followed by two bagpipers playing ‘Amazing Grace.’ There simply are no words to describe that moment,” he said.
Adiska said the veterans appreciate the recognition, and he recalled a tough old Army veteran confined to a wheelchair and who went by the nickname Gaitor.
“It was at the end of the day, and I reached out to shake Gaitor’s hand,” Adiska said, choking up with emotion. “Gaitor reached up with both arms to give me a hug, and he had tears in his eyes.”
In 2009, Bob Guenthardt, a Manistee County charter captain and proud Army veteran, started Tight Lines for Troops, a federally recognized nonprofit organization. His idea was to honor those who have served their country by inviting them to a fishing tournament. Nine years later, Guenthardt’s vision has grown to a large, annual fishing tournament, banquet and more to show appreciation to members of the military for their dedication and sacrifice.
Tight Lines is a success, Adiska explained, because of all the volunteer fishing boat captains, local organizations, National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard, many private businesses and hundreds of volunteers.
“Participants pay no charter fees, entry fees or banquet fees,” he said.
Participants must register for the event. Veterans may apply for next year’s event by going online to tightlinesfortroops.com. The application period is open from Nov. 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019.
“Boarding priority” is given in the following order: WWII and Korean War veterans, Purple Heart recipients, veterans disabled, POWs, and any veterans of any branch of service.
Adiska already is looking ahead to the 10th annual Tight Lines for Troops. This will kick off with a mandatory registration and dinner on Friday, May 17, 2019.
Saturday, May 18, the tournament will begin at 5:30 a.m. with the Big Lake Division. The Big Lake Division teams are made up of four participants. Each team weighs its biggest fish. The Pier/Shore Division is for the individual angler wanting to fish from the pier or shore. Their competition will start at 6:30 a.m. Individual participants also weigh their biggest fish. Reels in for everyone will be at 12:30 p.m., and the all-important weigh-in begins at 1 p.m.
The public is invited to join in the “Welcome Back Celebration” as the boats return to Manistee City Marina.
The river walk along the channel is lined with people waving flags to welcome the fishermen back. Michigan Chapter No. 1 of the Rolling Thunder offers thousands of loaner flags for people to wave as the fleet returns to port.
“It is difficult to describe the emotions shown by the veterans when we return to the harbor and the Welcome Back Celebration,” Adiska said. “All of the people lining the pier waving flags and saluting our veterans is a sight to behold. What a wonderful way to honor our heroes who have defended our country.”
