Veterans find community, camaraderie through fishing on public lands

Lorton, Va. – On a humid summer evening at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, sounds of a good time were in the air. Laughter and conversation carried through the otherwise quiet and serene environment surrounding Hidden Pond, one of two fishing holes at Meadowood. A group of veterans and their families gathered together for the latest fishing event hosted by FishingCommunity.org. 

The group, referred to by members as FCO, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of veterans, active-duty military members and their families through the therapeutic benefits of fishing. They have been holding events like this at Meadowood, and the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area in Florida, for over a decade, according to Joseph Weiler, a Marine Corps veteran and FCO’s national events coordinator. 

“These locations have become central to the organization's efforts in providing consistent and accessible fishing opportunities to veterans and their families,” said Weiler. “The events at Meadowood are held, generally, on a quarterly basis, while events at the outstanding natural area are organized monthly, ensuring regular opportunities for veterans to engage in therapeutic and recreational fishing throughout the year. We are looking to expand the number of events held at both locations as well as support both locations service and empowerment projects by fielding veteran teams to assist.”  

The relationship between the Bureau of Land Management and FCO is a special one to Peter De Witt, BLM’s program manager at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area. Along with taking pride in serving those who have served our country, De Witt sees it as a shining example of why it is important for Eastern States to network with community groups and individuals to build mutually beneficial relationships. 

“We have huge populations centers in the east, and less public lands compared to the west,” said De Witt. “So that makes  providing access to the sites we have even more critical to carrying out the BLM mission. By working with organizations like FCO we develop partnerships that can be leveraged to provide expertise, labor and materials that would otherwise be unavailable to the BLM. Which means the American public, as a whole, benefits from these partnerships.” 

Ryan Jackson, an outdoor recreation planner at the BLM’s Lower Potomac Field Station that manages Meadowood, said she’s enjoyed seeing the symbiotic nature of the relationship. 

“They have helped us network with other organizations to promote public land and expand awareness of BLM in the east,” Jackson said. “On top of that, FCO has helped provide more fishing related programs at Meadowood than our office can provide to the public.”  

Weiler speaks highly of BLM staff at both locations, pointing out how they have been instrumental in making the FCO events successful. He specifically points to the well-maintained fishing areas and assistance with getting the proper permits for all involved.  

“The staff have gone above and beyond to accommodate the specific needs of veterans,” Weiler said. “They always ensure that every event runs smoothly, safely and that participants have a positive and fulfilling experience.” 

Jackson and De Witt both said that the BLM teams are happy to help out, and proud to be of service to the veteran community. From De Witt’s perspective, FCO events are among the most rewarding aspects of his job. 

“It’s the most touching moment I’ve ever experienced while at work,” De Witt said. "Specifically, to see the inpatient veterans from the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center come out to enjoy the outdoor public lands environment with their families is touching, heartwarming, and it is the least we can do for those who have given so much to the service of this country." 

Along with the medical center in Florida, FCO partners with the Ft. Belvoir Soldier Recovery Unit in Virginia and the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC. The next FCO event is their annual Veteran Family Fishing Classic, scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 26 at Meadowood’s Hidden Pond.