May 30, 2009

The largest single day Take The Troops Fishing Event ever !

Military Appreciation Day, Inc and its volunteer had no idea how big this event would be. When the numbers finally came in, the total attendance number was close to 900.

MAD 4 Morehead City had over 240 family members that enjoyed various onshore activities while over 400 heroes went fishing on two head boats and 90 private boats. Add in the over 200 volunteers and you have quite a crowd.

The event organizers and volunteers were all pleased and everyone had an excellent day. "Next year we may have to close down the Morehead City waterfront," said Family Activities Chairman Emmit Morehead.

Even in these tough economic times, MAD was able to gain donations of goods and money in support of the event. "I was very pleased to see so many new donors and volunteers this year," said MAD Board of Directors Chairman Rich Anderson. "It warms my heart to see all the support we receive year round, but nothing compares to the smiling faces we see at our events."

October 18, 2008

On a cold, rainy, windy day in Oak Island, a band of volunteers gathered to once again Thank Those Who Serve America.

Military Appreciation Day, Inc. and it's dedicated volunteers hosted MAD 3.5 Oak Island on Saturday, October 18, 2008.

The troops showed up early Saturday morning at Bill Smith Park where they registered and then were shuttled down to the fuel dock at South Harbor Marina where they boarded volunteer boats for a day of fishing and fellowship.

The fishing was a little tough, but many boats caught fish. Everyone had smiling faces when they returned to the docks mid-afternoon and a few had some entertaining stories!

Local volunteers cooked a grand meal that included BBQ, chicken, Brunswick Stew, and banana pudding at the local Moose Lodge.

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 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.”

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!

September 19, 2007
MAD 2.5 Recap

Military Appreciation Day, Inc. took 30 heroes from the Wounded Warriors Barracks at Camp Lejeune out for a day of fishing aboard The Continental Shelf with Captain Dave Tilley at the helm.

The boat returned to the dock with smiling faces and some beautiful catches, most note worthy, a 27 pound Snapper caught by Navy corpsman Cary Town. It took 15 minutes to land the whopper 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.

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.

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.