Greetings everyone,
For those that need introduction, my name is John Koenig (AKA "JohnnyCoho" on the fishing boards out there) owner of "John's Guide Service" a full time fishing and hunting guide here in WA now for very close to 20 years.
For those of you don't already know me, I was taught at a very young age that success shouldn't be measured by the amount of money you earn or the man dying with the most toys wins... it's how your'e remembered, the legacy you leave behind, the lives you touch in a positive manner along the way and how you serve your fellow man. I was also raised to serve my country and my community not as a duty but as an honor and a way of life and hope to continue in that service for many years to come.
Besides being a full time guide I am also a volunteer firefighter, search and rescue volunteer and both a paid and volunteer wrestling coach serving my community and local school district. For some time I have been looking for ways to continue my service to my country after serving my own time in the military during "Operation Desert Storm"... That is until I found out about the "Wounded Warriors In Action" organization.
This past winter I was appointed Washington State Associate and Field Coordinator for "Wounded Warriors In Action". Established in 2007, the Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation (WWIA) is a national 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization headquartered in Apollo Beach Florida. The WWIA is dedicated to serving our nation's combat wounded, Purple Heart recipients, by providing them world-class outdoor sporting activities.
These men and women are our Nation’s most treasured asset and these trips provide excellent opportunities to assist our wounded veterans in recovering – mentally, physically, and spiritually from their war experiences. We just want them to enjoy their experience in the great outdoors and worry about nothing.
For the 2012 season I have already committed myself to providing WWIA with two trips this summer and am already in talks of more trips coming for the fall of 2012 and for the 2013 season as well. I can't do all this alone though and am asking for some help in honoring our countries combat wounded heroes in helping cover some of the costs of food and lodging for our warriors stay with us.
Please check our web sites newest WWIA page for any and all information on the two trips we already have planned this coming summer. We could use your help; http://www.johns-guide-service.com/WWIA.html We are very close to covering all the costs involved for our first trip with our warriors in June here and just to make sure with the huge help of some local small business' we should all be familiar with like;
- Ted's Sport Center
- Three Rivers Marine
- Holiday Market
- Lamiglas Rods
..... And others, we will be raffling off several high quality rod and reel combos, fishing tackle and more. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. You can buy them ahead of time or at the "Benefit Chili Feed" we will be holding for our warriors on June 9th, 2012 from 2:00PM to 6:00PM at "Howard Miller Steelhead Park" on the Skagit River here in Rockport... you do not need to be present to win.
Cost at the door for the Benefit Chili Feed is $5.00 per person for a bowl of chili, cornbread, a drink and great camaraderie with our combat wounded warriors. We will also be holding a live auction during the Chili Feed for other items such as guided fishing trips with other well known and established area fishing guides.
For more information on how you can purchase your raffle tickets and help this very worthy cause please contact us personally;
John and Corrina Koenig
John's Guide Service
PO BOX 727
Concrete, WA. 98237
(360) 853-9801
Website: www.johns-guide-service.com
Email: johnsguidesvc@hotmail.com
To other guides and those in the fishing and hunting industry that would like to help and donate their time, services or products to this very worthwhile cause here in the Washington State area please contact us as well!! We'd love for you to get involved in something we are already passionate about.
Thanks All!!