Vet Info Capt. Bill was invited to Florida International University ( F.I.U.) to spend the afternoon with the Panthers during the Non-Profit 101 Seminar. Bill expressed the importance of giving back, volunteering, and Suicide Prevention in the Veteran Community. We are proud of all our Founders and thier involvement in the community. Link to Speech on our You-Tube Video Channel.
What a great surpise today while holding our monthly Cast Off 22/ Fishing Friday event at U.S. Southern Command to receive a hand written note from Admiral Holsey. For a 4 Star General to take time out of his busy schedule to recognize Mark and Bill both with Thank You notes is a great Honor.
Events in Florida
Vet Info who is a strong supporter of health care in our Veterans receives a Certificate of Appreciation for the VISN 8 Lung Health Fair 2023. Our Founder William “Bill” Watts is the VISN 8 Veteran Advocate for the LPOP Team. He suffers from Toxic Exposures and was diagnosed with RADS after his participation in Desert Storm in 1991. ( RADS – Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome ).
As part of the Vet Info program Cast Off 22 ( Fishing Friday ) which we hold the third Friday of each month at U.S. Southern Command to provide a few hours of stress relief. During this event we have Veterans, Active-Duty and family members come out to enjoy the day with Vet Info Volunteers and Bass Pro – Pro Staff Capt. Bill Watts. We want to thank those support of Vet Info and we look forward to a great continued partnership/sponsorship of our Veteran focused program. .
Event – Fishing Friday
Location – U.S. Southern Command – Doral Florida
Participants – Veterans, Active Duty and family members
Largest fish this event – 5.29 lbs. – picture 1000022125
Sponsors – Vet Info Volunteer Director Isabel Pinilla / Bass Pro Shops Capt. Bill Watts / Headquarters Toyota / U.S. Southern Command / U.S. Southern Command Garrison
Equipment – All rods and reels are Bass Pro Shops brands – Carbonlite combo, Stampede, Tourn. Special
Bill
Pro Staff Bass Pro Shops – Miami
BUSINESS AND FARM
APPRENTICESHIP & MENTORSHIP
PROGRAM
Link to additional Information packet Please let them know you found out about this through Vet Info!!!
As Part of the Cast Off 22 Program Vet Info has established Fishing Fridays at U.S. Southern Command. This will be an on going program over the next 12 months to give the Active Duty and Veterans who work at the Installation a chance to learn how to fish or increase their skills with Bass Pro Shops Pro Bill Watts and the Vet Info Volunteers.
Vet info is honored to receive a $2000 grant from Bass Pro. The funds will be used to further our cause of improving the quality of life of military veterans.
Bass Pro has been instrumental in our success and ability to serve the Military Veteran community. We are a grassroots organization with no employees. Support from Bass Pro and other organizations who want to serve military is truly inspiring and appreciated.
In 2022, Bass Pro Miami, Tampa, and Ft. Myers help us with providing t-shirts for Veterans living in retirement homes. We provided over 400 gift packages that included shirts, puzzle books, hygiene supplies, and a holiday card written by high school students.
One of Vet Info’s programs is kayaking. Sometimes we fish too. Bass Pro helped us with the purchase of the Kayaks. We are very grateful for the two Old Towne PDL 120s and the four Ascend 12ts. This photo was taken at the Miami Lakes Veteran’s Day Parade 2023.
The Veteran below never thought he could ever go and kayak. He suffers from many issues onset from Agent Orange when he served as a Marine in Vietnam. He found kayaking to be fun and easy to do and has even thought of buying his own kayak.
