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6th Annual PVA/S.D. Firefighters Tournament garners more support than ever By Jona Ohm May 15 and 16, the North Central Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of American and the S.D. Firefighters Association held their 6th Annual Walleye Tournament in Chamberlain-Oacoma. Since 2002, the event has brought firefighters and veterans from across South Dakota and surrounding states together for a day of fishing on the Missouri River. Firefighters bring boats, tackle and co-captains for the event. With the help of a special harness and boom lift, veterans in wheelchairs are lifted into boats and spend a day on the water. Conservation Officer Mark Ohm served as a boat captain for the second time during this year’s event. “I first learned of the tournament when I signed their permit four years ago,” said Ohm, who serves eastern Lyman and Buffalo Counties for the Department of Game, Fish & Parks. “Every year, things are a little different, a little easier for the guys and a few more people from the Chamberlain-Oacoma area are involved.” Swenson Bros. Marine donated the use of a pontoon for Ohm, his co-captain and a paralyzed veteran. In addition to donated equipment, several people from the community donated their time to make the event a success. American Legion Auxiliary Potter Post No. 3 helped serve meals and assisted in cleaning up. “It was a wonderful experience,” said Lila Speckles, Department of South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary President. “It’s amazing how a simple gift of time and hands can mean so much. I was told over and over again how much each of the veterans appreciated us being there with them, just helping carry coffee and plates. It’s no easy task to carry a plate, a cup of coffee and push a wheelchair – the extra hands are a huge help. We were happy to be there hope to be able to help again next year.” In addition to the Legion Auxiliary, volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce and Chamberlain-Oacoma Sun helped with the Thursday evening steak fry and Friday morning breakfast held at the Oacoma Community Center. “Without this event and these volunteers, we simply would not be able to get out to fish,” said Joel Niemeyer, Executive Director or the North Central Chapter of the PVA. “It’s a wonderful event to be part of and it just keeps getting better every year, thanks to the people who continue to get involved.”

The North Central Chapter PVA co-sponsored a pheasant hunt at the Gann Valley Ranch in Gann Valley, SD on March 29, 2009

The North Central Chapter PVA invites you to bowling every Saturday, 1:00 p.m. at the Empire Bowl, Sioux Falls, SD. Bowling season begins in October and ends in April each year. Come join us!

On January 26-27, 2008, several paralyzed veterans and people with disabilities participated in the 3rd annual North Central Chapter PVA and Orthotic & Prosthetic Specialties Inc. ice fishing derby on Lake Kampeska in Watertown, SD. The day started off with an early morning breakfast buffet at the Dakota Sioux Casino and Hotel then they were off for a day of ice fishing. After days of sub zero temperatures in the upper Midwest, the participants of this ice fishing derby were blessed with 30 degree temperatures making it a very comfortable day of ice fishing. Approximately 15 anglers with disabilities enjoyed this opportunity. Several local fisherman, vendors, and members of the Dakota Sportsmen, Inc provided heated ice shacks, heated tents, bait and other equipment needed. The Dakota Sportsman, Inc helped organize the event and provided a chili lunch to all the participants on the ice. Many of the volunteers that helped with this event have served in the military so they were quick to help out in any way they could. Planning an ice fishing derby provides different challenges for anglers who use wheelchairs and drive their own adapted vehicles on the ice. The ice needs to be at least 18 inches preferably 24 inches thick to support the weight of these vehicles. Furthermore, the lake had approximately 8 inches of snow on top of the ice so a ¼ mile path of snow had to be cleared so that the angler’s vehicles wouldn’t get stuck on their drive to the fishing spot. Several other variables that took place were, setting up the ice shacks and warming tent, drilling holes with ice augers, and of course starting the grill so lunch could be served. This idea started with Damon Namken after participating in a pheasant hunt with the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Damon was aware that PVA organizes trapshoots, summer fishing trips and other outings and thought many of our members would find an ice fishing derby as enjoyable as these other events. It runs out he was right! Some of the anglers caught very nice sized crappies and smaller walleyes. Although not everyone caught fish, the anglers had the time of their life and plan to give it another shot next year. Everyone involved would like to see this continue as an annual event continue. If anyone is interested in participating in a future ice fishing tournament, please contact the North Central Chapter PVA office at 605-336-0494.