June 7, 2008
On a beautiful sunny day in Morehead City, NC, a band of dedicated volunteers gathered to Thank Those Who Serve America.
On Saturday, June 7th, Military Appreciation Day III (MAD III) took place on the waterfront in Morehead City, NC.
The MAD organization and its dedicated 200 volunteers took 300 troops and family members out for a beautiful day of fishing and entertained another 100 troops and family members with shore based activities at the Morehead City Park and the Jaycee Park.
MAD, Inc. chartered both the Carolina Princess and the Continental Shelf for the event while another 62 private boats were provided by MAD volunteers.
Shore based activities included kid fishing at the docks, site seeing |
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tours of the MHC waterfront provided by Mystery Tours, Moon Walk tent, face painting, snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy.
The MAD volunteers provided a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs at the City Park.
It was a great day of fishing with catches of dolphin, kings, Spanish, snapper, grouper, sea bass, and even a sailfish! The sailfish was caught aboard the Reel Trouble, captained by Mark Vann of Fayetteville, NC. “I got involved with MAD last year because enough isn't done to show our troops that what they do is important to not only to me, but to a large group of people. After seeing the smiles on the faces of all the troops at the cookout, I'll be back for years to come,” said Vann. Vann’s guests were Gunnery Sergeant Jason Marshall and Staff Sergeant Mike Power. Mike Power was the angler on the sail, but landing the fish and releasing it was truly a team effort according to Vann.
After everyone returned from fishing, they were treated to a southern style pig pickin’ with all the trimmings.
The crowd was treated to an acrobatic fly over by Red Eagle Air Sports who were in the area performing at the Cherry Point Air Show.
“It was a great day yesterday, and from my perspective all our heroes and their families enjoyed themselves. Plenty of fishing, food, entertainment and relaxation going on. Every hero I spoke with was very appreciative of what we have done for them,” said Emmit Morehead. Emmit is one of the many dedicated MAD volunteers who works year round to do what he can to help Thank Those Who Serve America. Emmit’s wife, son, father and mother-in-law also worked as volunteers for MAD III.
One of MAD’s honored guest, Captain Tim Doran of the Marines had this to say, “Can't find the words to adequately express me and my family's gratitude for all that you did for us yesterday. I wish we could have stuck around longer but just couldn't. "Support the Troops" has become a fashionable, yet insincere catchphrase that diminishes as this war continues. Few believe in it, and fewer do anything toward it, and you fellas surely did something wonderful yesterday. Our time there is the talk of the house this morning, and me and my children will carry these memories with us forever. Please extend our warm thanks to all that helped out, especially to Nick for being so friendly and patient with the kids.” |
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March 6, 2008
Since the very first MAD event, we have been searching for a location that is open to the public so that many more people can stop by and Thank Those Who Serve in person.
We are please to announce that on June 7, 2008, MAD III will be held on the Waterfront in Morehead City at 2 locations!
Thanks to our friends at The Big Rock and the Town of Morehead City, we will host our Heroes at the Jaycee Park and the City Park!
We also send out a special thanks to Captain Dave Tilley of FryingPanTower.com. Captain Dave provides hosting for our website and he also |
helped us procure dockage for this year's event. Thanks Captain Dave!
While this change of venue is significant from past MAD events, we believe it gives all of us the best pportunity to Thank Those Who Serve! |
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December 7, 2007
The November episode of Keith Warren's Outdoor Adventures included a segment that was shot at United States Coast Guard Station Fort Macon during the MAD 2. Keith and his staff graciously provided us a copy of the footage so we could share it with you. Military Appreciation Day, Inc. applauds Keith for his efforts in supporting the troops, and thanks again for supporting MAD Keith!
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September 19, 2007
MAD 2.5 Recap
We took 30 heroes from the Wounded Warriors Barracks at Camp Lejeune out for a day of fishing aboard The Continental Shelf.
The boat returned to the dock with smiling faces and some beautiful catches, most note worthy, a 27 pound Snapper!!
We had a Pig Pickin' and live entertainment at the Jaycee Park in Morehead City, to conclude the event.
Thanks to all the volunteers and supporters of MAD. Without your efforts, none of this would be possible. |
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June 22, 2007
Military Appreciation Day, Inc. receives 501 (c) (3) status.
This was one of the best letters we at MAD have ever received.
This further legitimizes the MAD, Inc. organization and our mission to Thank Those Who Serve.
All donations to MAD are tax deductible, so do what you can to help us thank the troops!
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May 19, 2007
Military Appreciation Day 2007 (MAD 2) was a HUGE success. Thanks to all of the donors and volunteers that made this day possible.
Military Appreciation Day, Inc. hosted more than 250 troops for a day of fishing and gratitude on Saturday, May 19th at U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Macon. More than 80 volunteer boats ranging from offshore boats to kayaks to a head boat stood ready for boarding. It was a great day of fishing and fellowship.
While the 250 were fishing, 450 of their family members were entertained with dock fishing, sight seeing tours, and many other fun activities for adults and kids alike.
Once back on shore, the 700 military personnel and their families along with 100 volunteers joined in a southern style cookout with all the trimmings. Live entertainment was provided and several influential members of the community shared their thoughts on the event.
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We feel as though we accomplished our mission of "One Simple Thanks." MAD 2 was more complex and bigger than MAD 1. The organizers and volunteers worked countless hours to ensure the success of this event.
Here is one of the many thank you notes we received from military personnel: Sir,
We were lucky enough to score a trip on the Contagious for MAD 2. I can not tell you how awesome the trip and the crew were. I have been on a few charters over the years that I had to pay for and yet never treated in the way that we were. We were at home on the Contagious. I would like to take this time to thank you and your entire staff for the time taken to pull off the event.
It is a feeling that is hard to describe, knowing as well as
seeing the amount appreciation that our community have for us. It is very
easy to say "We support our troops", but you and all of the great people
that came together on there free time really shows the quote to be true.
Again thank you for your support.
If at all possible, may I get the information including the email of the
crew of the Contagious. We would like to keep in touch.
Thanks again God speed to you and our troops. |
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March 12, 2007
Outdoor celebrity Keith Warren to attend MAD 2007.
"We are excited to have a national outdoor celebrity such as Keith attend our event," said Rich Anderson of Military Appreciation Day, Inc. "Keith will be one of our guest speakers and film the event for his show. Keith will also be fishing with one of our many volunteer boat captains."
"I can’t wait till this event gets kicked off. An opportunity to fish the east coast and show my support to these brave souls is a chance I’m not going to miss. I look forward to meeting the folks and listening to their stories. Thank you for this opportunity." Keith Warren.
Keith's Bio
With nearly 25 years of full-time experience in the outdoor television industry, Keith Warren has become one of the biggest drawing outdoorsmen in the country. A native Texan, he and his wife Deborah have three children – Meridith, Kolton and Mattisyn. He and his family call New Braunfels, Texas home.
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February 7, 2007
News Channel 12 Chief Meteorologist Skip Waters to be the Emcee for MAD 2007.
"This is exciting news!" said Dan Smith of Military Appreciation Day, Inc. "Skip is a well known television personality and he does a lot for local causes. We are honored that Skip has joined the team for MAD 2007."
Skip's Bio
My television career actually started before I made a career choice to pursue broadcast meteorology. From fall 1970 through spring 1971, I was the science, geography and miscellaneous team representative on the WBBH-TV20 "High School Quiz Bowl" program in Fort Myers, Florida where I attended North High School. I was the blonde kid who knew the answer to questions like "what fish has both eyes on one side of its head?.... North Fort Myers.... Waters.... the Flounder" and "what is the ugliest mammal on earth?.... The Warthog." Little did I know that to be the beginning of a fun and exciting career in television. After college at the University of South Florida in Tampa, I returned to Fort Myers and went to work as a television meteorologist at WEVU-TV26 the ABC affiliate in Southwest, Florida. |
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I worked there from October 1976 through April 1982 when the opportunity to return home to my native North Carolina was made available to me at WCTI-TV12. It was a pleasure to move back to North Carolina where I was born (Greensboro) and where most of my family still lives. |
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January 10, 2007
The organizers of MAD have successfully created a corporation named Military Appreciation Day, Inc. Military Appreciation Day, Inc. is recognized as non-profit organization in the state of North Carolina.
This was a vital step in our efforts to build a foundation to provide financial funding for the MAD events. |
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December 18, 2006
We are proud to announce that our web site is up and running. The site is packed with features that will allow us to organize and track MAD 2 like never before. The site includes online forms for donations, volunteers, and registration for our beloved Active Duty Military folks. The site also has a message forum, chat room, and a photo album for those special pictures. We hope you enjoy our site! |
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