Over 600 participates competed for prizes in the annual Holes for Heroes ice fishing contest on Medicine Lake in Plymouth. The annual event, organized by Fishing for Life, benefits veterans, active military and their families. By all accounts the event was a huge success!

Fish were weighed in by species with great prizes award to youth and not so youth categories. Samantha Berent, age 6, from Mound weighed in the day's first crappie which turned out to be good enough to win biggest fish her category.

Samantha Berent, age 6, Mound, is interviewed by event emcee Mike "Cold Front" Kurre.

Samantha Berent and her parents Amber and Brian show off Amber's hardware!

Amber Berent and Grandpa Steve "Papa" Hendrickson (both of Mound).

One of the coolest parts of the event was the Hole of Honor. Spouses and thier kids with loved-ones deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan registered for the opportunity to video chat via Skype with their loved one overseas while the family fished. It was pretty cool to see and hear a father giving ice fishing pointers to his wife and young son and daughter from half way around the world. When the mom mentioned she didn't know how to know she was 1' off the bottom as suggested by her husband I stepped in and helped set the depth of their jig and wax worm. Like most Minnesotans I appreciate the sacrifices that our military and their families make for us. After spending a few short minutes with this family I have and even greater appreciation of the sacrifice these families make and experienced the vision of Fishing for Life founder Tom Goodrich.

Another Long-Distance Connection

If you made it out yesterday, thanks for coming. If you missed it, make plans for next year. It's a great way to honor our Veterans and to have a little fun while doing it!