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Fishing Lures Classmates Back Together

  • Published
  • By Jerry Green
  • 440th Airlift Wing
JORDAN LAKE, N.C. --  While the first rays of the morning sunlight filtered across the shores of North Carolina's Jordan Lake, Master Sgt. Tressie Anderson-Bolden, First Sergeant, 18th Air Support Operations Group, sang the National Anthem.
 
As the final words echoed through the trees lining the lake's shore, anglers and boat operators waited for the start of the 6th Annual Warriors on the Water Fishing Tournament.

Waiting their turn to head to open waters, were high school classmates Master Sgt. Tracy Cornett, 440th Logistics Support Squadron First Sergeant and fisherman Kenny Hall. Both Sergeant Cornett and Hall grew up in the small town of Granite Falls, North Carolina. They attended first through 12th grade together and both graduated from Granite Falls High School.
"This is the first time we have been able to do this tournament together," said Hall. Both Hall and Sergeant Cornett work for the Lenoir, North Carolina Police Department.

Sergeant Cornett completed a four year tour with the United States Air Force, but it was after September 11th that he decided to re-enlist in the Air Force Reserve. " I believed that was my opportunity to make a difference," said Sergeant Cornett," so I joined the Air Force Reserve and became a member of the 53rd Aerial Port Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C."

Two years ago, Cornett was given an even bigger opportunity to make a difference. He was selected as the 440th Logistics Squadron First Sergeant. The First Sergeant of a squadron is a senior enlisted advisor to the unit's Airmen providing leadership and professional development, as well as discipline.

Kenny Hall is an avid fisherman and third year volunteer for Warriors on the Water. "This is a quality organized tournament and a great chance to give back, meet the Soldiers from Fort Bragg and Pope Field, and this year... fish with Tracy," said Hall.  The two sorted through numerous fishing lures and spinner baits in hopes of catching the big one today.

"It will take at least a seven pound bass to win this tournament this year," said Hall. "So we are headed for the cooler waters next to the shoreline."

The Warriors on the Water tournament began six years ago with three retired service members organizing enough volunteers with boats to donate their time and equipment to take a Soldier out for a day of bass fishing. The first Warriors on the Water had only 48 Soldiers participate. This year 150 boats took part each with a fishermen and accompanying  military member.

The tournament is sponsored by local area business and civic groups, but it is the volunteers like Hall that make the tournament work.

"We have more volunteers putting this program together than anglers and boaters," said Hal Abshire, VP/ Media for Warriors on the Water. "Some of the volunteers were here at 3:30 a.m. and best of all everybody is smiling."

After more than seven hours of fishing, Sergeant Cornett and Hall returned to shore with their catches. Three bass filled their catch bin, totaling nine pounds. For many volunteers, anglers, soldiers and Airmen, including Cornett and Hall, the biggest and best catch of the day was a smile.