BY Bob Semerau
OXNARD —The excitement of fishing together each year makes Operation Anacapa one of the best outings for Mission F.I.S.H. The organization’s dedicated volunteers recently put together their largest event to date for veterans, active-duty military, first responders and Gold Star family members, fishing on Friday the 13th.
Thursday evening, prior to the day on the water, participants were invited to join volunteers and sponsors for a Meet and Greet at Pizza Man Dan’s in Port Hueneme. The opportunity to spend time with everyone involved brought out dozens for the festivities to enjoy pizza and soft drinks provided by Mission F.I.S.H.
The next day more than 160 participants came out in the pre-dawn darkness, for a day of fishing offshore. At Channel Islands Sportfishing, CISCOS, in Oxnard, anglers signed in, receiving some great swag from various sponsors of the annual fishing adventure. Three boats had been chartered at CISCOS: the 60-foot sportfisher New Hustler, 65-foot Speedtwin, and Estella, a 65-footer, new to the landing.
Ventura Harbor Sportfishing also was in the mix with their 65-footer, Island Spirit participating this year, taking out a load of Operation Anacapa participants.
Since its inception in 2015, the group has planned several trips, culminating with Operation Anacapa, an all-expense paid fishing experience, taking participants for a day of Fishing, Interacting, Sharing, and Healing. This year, Mission F.I.S.H. President Brian Barber, Sr, arranged for a team lead to be aboard each of the four boats to assist with fishing or other questions that might arise.
Before boarding, Mission F.I.S.H. President Barber, and Vice-President Steven Escalera, gave an energizing send off for the day. Larry Johnson, Director of Operations, reached out to the crowd inviting everyone to simply “Leave it at the dock. Whatever troubles you, for today, let it go and just enjoy the day with others like yourselves.”
The four boats loaded up and left the harbor just after 7:00 a.m., heading south along the coast for the next hour and a half. While riding out, the galley on each boat made full breakfasts or specialty burritos for hungry anglers. Loaner rods were available at no cost to participants, with all the tackle needed, waiting aboard each boat. For those participating with their own gear, the double dropper loop or a variety of jigs were tied on and readied for action.
Three generations of anglers from the Matthews family fished aboard Speedtwin. Earl Matthews served as a corpsman in the 1st marines and then spent 34-years with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Earl and wife, Joy’s son, Shane Matthews, has been a member of VC Sheriffs for 30-years. Shane Matthews’ boy, 20-year-old Tyler Matthews, along with Dad and Grandpa, managed a big sheephead and bags of rockfish and calico bass to take home at the end of the day.
The meaning of the acronym of the F.I.S.H. in Mission F.I.S.H. tells the mission it was founded upon: Fishing, Interacting, Sharing and Healing. These outings are about being on the water, catching fish, and sharing stories.
“We are here to offer a helping hand to anyone that is suffering,” says Mission F.I.S.H. president Barber, a resilient survivor of PTSD himself, the result of his years of Military Service in the Marine Corps.
“Our goal is to not only help the returning and active-duty veterans, but first responders, and Gold-Star family members as well. “Sometimes we all feel helpless and uneasy. When those feelings become all-consuming and begin to take a toll on an individual’s daily life it can lead to horrific results.”
Traumatic events in the performance of one’s duties serving in the military, or as a first responder, frequently cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. PTSD often goes untreated and unresolved, impacting the individual and the whole family. Gold-Star family members, those having lost loved ones through traumatic events while in service, can carry those scars as well.
There can be enormous benefit for those who suffer in the simple act of spending a day on the water. Fishing and sharing with people of similar backgrounds and experiences can be an opportunity to see there are other paths and means of dealing with stress. Government programs offer little in the way of recreational therapy and when drugs and medical interaction do not work, fishing just might make a difference.
Also on board Speedtwin, was a dedicated volunteer from a group known as The
Veteran Mentoring Project, James Espinoza. James explained that the group works to head off the epidemic of suicide in post-service veterans by mentorship with career and life coaching. Touching on every facet of the struggle for returning vets and veteran first responders, the group provides a complete, holistic approach to assist those in need. James lost his brother, a retired Army Colonel, to suicide, which led him to found VMP in 2021. The Veteran Mentoring Project can be reached through their website www.thevmpi.org or by calling 805-387-4492.
While fishing continued along the Malibu coast, at a set time the boats paused in the action to honor those veterans and first responders who have given their full measure or have been lost to tragic suicide from trauma due to their service.
At 11:11 a.m. the colors were flown, and a brief moment of silence was observed. The time is representative of the 22-veterans of military service who commit suicide each day. Nearly 20-percent of veterans suffer from PTSD upon return to civilian life. With the efforts of volunteers like those working with Mission F.I.S.H. and organizations like the Veteran Mentoring Project, it’s hoped relief can be attained for those who suffer.
As the boats returned to fishing, anglers found the right combination to bag several rockfish of assorted variety, and some sizable sheephead.
Army vet Harry Franco drove down from Bakersfield for the event landing a legal ling and a larger model red for the day, along with a sack full of rockfish.
Returning about 4:00 p.m. the anglers off-loaded from the boats and headed home for some needed rest taking their share of the day’s catch.
Saturday morning, Mission F.I.S.H. volunteers and sponsors busied themselves setting up for more interaction with Operation Anacapa participants at Harbor View Park, near the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.
“Our volunteers work tirelessly, and our donors are very generous, making these experiences possible,” says Mission F.I.S.H. President Barber. Several booths were set up offering a myriad of services for vets, first responders, and others in need. A taco station and Mr. Frosty gave everyone much needed refreshments, all at no cost to participants.
Kids enjoyed two bounce houses while their folks perused the exciting raffle prizes up for grabs and listened to “The Mix, from DJ Larry Love.”
Injured in a 100-foot fall from a helicopter, with 7-years of service, disabled Marine Corps Sergeant, Bryan Maclean, felt lost and “not in a very good place,” upon his re-entry into society, in time finding his footing with Mission F.I.S.H.
“In 2018 the group helped re-ignite my fishing passion with Operation Anacapa, and today I am Committee Liaison to the Board for the organization,” explained Bryan with a big smile.
Another volunteer available at the Saturday Picnic Event was Johnny Krash, co-founder of Sabot Foundation. Johnny brought out his jacked and lifted PowerStroke van, done up in military livery to honor those who have served. Johnny explained that the estimate of veteran suicides is sadly, far greater than the 22-a-day, most used.
“There have been 130,000 veteran suicides since the year 2000,” says Johnny Krash. “Working with The Mentor Project, Sabot Foundation uses a holistic approach, giving vets skills to adapt and better deal with life as it comes.” Reach them at www.sabotfoundation.org .
Each year Mission F.I.S.H. grows and expands the effort to reach out, helping those in need. Fishing gives the effort a platform which allows them to bring those at risk together for interaction and conversation toward a better, more secure life.
“Seeing the effort payoff when veterans, first responders, and Gold-Star family members come out, now with their families makes it all worthwhile. We will be here for them in the years to come with even more exciting trips.”
CONTACT:
Mission F.I.S.H. Fishing, Interacting, Sharing, and Healing
Brian Barber Sr. President
805-670-9220 www.MissionFISHusa.org Info@MissionFishUSA.org
