Soddy Lake will be filled with boaters and veterans vying to catch the biggest bass come November.
“It’s a tournament, but it’s more of a pretty relaxed tournament. It’s just getting vets out on the water. Just a day of relaxing and having fun,” Gary Phillips said.
It’s the second annual Fishing with a Veteran Tournament hosted by Project Gallantly Forward. Phillips is organizing the event and said they aim to connect veterans with other veterans for friendship and support.
“It’s just, vets understand vets. I guess that’s really about the best thing to describe it. I mean, we can look at each other and know what they’re thinking,” he said.
Federal data shows an average of 17 veterans died by suicide every day in 2022.
Lucas Lewis wants to reduce that statistic through his nonprofit that aims to support veterans in a number of ways, like retreats and job training.
Lewis said events like the fishing tournament help drive the mission of helping veterans heal the invisible wounds we often don’t see and give them the support they deserve and they hope to continue to grow the event in the years to come.
“[Gary] has done such a great job over the last year that, like this is—this is going to become an official program next year through the nonprofit. So it’ll be something that we’ll be able to support more and to help him more to reach more veterans,” Lewis added.
Organizers are looking for sponsors, boaters and veterans for the event at Holly Park Boat Ramp (11606 Holly Circle, Soddy Daisy, TN) on November 7, 2026.
Click HERE to register or for more information, including prizes.