14th annual Take A Vet Fishing event creates lasting memories

September 13, 2024

TOWER—As a youngster growing up in Tower, Todd Beihoffer spent countless lazy summer days enjoying Lake Vermilion. Fast forward some 50 years, and the Navy Veteran was once again reconnecting to the lake that had brought him so much joy over the years.

“It’s awesome to be back,” said Beifhoffer as he grabbed his fishing gear from his boat prior to the start of the 14th annual Take A Vet Fishing event. “I had to miss last year because I had open heart surgery, but I am so glad to be back. I love the camaraderie. It’s just a great fellowship.”

Beifhoffer, a 1982 Tower-Soudan graduate, served in the Navy from 1983 to 1987. He was stationed in Maryland and Maine, and his sea time included stints in Iceland and Greenland.

“It was pretty rough last year as my heart was only functioning at 15%, but now it’s up to 26%—I can even make it to my mailbox now,” he said with a faint laugh. “I’m hoping to get better, but days like these are just very special to me. We appreciate all of the guides who help out and the other volunteers too—it’s great, and we appreciate all the effort put into this event.”

Bois Forte Tribal Chair Cathy Chavers had similar praise for the guides and volunteers who make the Take A Vet Fishing event so meaningful.

“I am really impressed and very honored to be here today,” said Chavers as she gave the welcome at Fortune Bay’s lakeside tent in front of 100 veterans and roughly 85 boat operators, guides, and other volunteers. “My parents were veterans of the Navy in World War II, and they are no longer with us, just as many other veterans are no longer with us. I just want to thank them all and you all for your service.”

Chavers said it is of the utmost importance to educate our younger people about our veterans. She said we must not forget our past because our veterans gave up so much of their lives so that we could have the freedoms we have today.

“I always say that whenever you see a veteran, please tell them thank you for their service because they took the time away from their families and their loved ones,” said Chavers, who was recently elected to her third consecutive term for the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. “They fought for this country. They fought for democracy and our freedom.”

Chavers said she relished visiting with the veterans, who were enjoying a cup of coffee, doughnuts, and fresh fruit before going out with a guide from the Lake Vermilion Guide’s League or a boat operator. She told those gathered that within tribes, they are known as very communal people, and she saw that same connection today.

“It’s a special thing you have,” said Chavers to the veterans. “I’m very pleased to be a part of this, and I enjoy seeing that connection you have with one another. Like I said last year, we call our veterans our Ogichidaas—that means warriors, and you are our warriors...Chi Miigwech (thank you) to you all.”

After Chavers’ welcome, Take A Vet Chair Phil Bakken also recognized the volunteers for all their hard work in making the event a success. He said it’s not easy for the volunteers, many of whom are retired, to continue planning and executing such a large event. It not only entails working on the logistics of the event, but it also includes securing sponsorships and many other tedious tasks.

“Cathy Rouleau and her crew put in countless hours,” said Bakken of Rouleau, Jean Wagenbach, Sue Van De Line, and Patti Papin. “We were helping them last night, and I said, ‘You know, we’re getting too old for this.’”

While the gesture was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, Bakken, Roleau, and others will continue to work on behalf of the veterans and show them admiration and respect for everything they have done for our country.

“This is such a wonderful event,” said Larry “Skip” Murray, who lives in Mt. Iron and served two years in Vietnam. “It is so well organized, and we appreciate everything they do for us.”

Meanwhile, Papin gets to look at the event from a unique perspective. She first got involved with it when she took her father, David Tibbetts, to the 9th annual Take a Vet Fishing event. She found the day extra special because it gave her a chance to spend her 45th birthday with her father, who was a Vietnam Veteran. He was battling cancer at the time and unfortunately passed away just a couple of months after the 2019 event.

Five years later, the personable Papin was working the registration table as a volunteer. She smiled and thanked the veterans who would soon be hitting Lake Vermilion for another day of memories with their fellow brothers and sisters from the Armed Forces.

However, it was somewhat somber as Papin noticed the absence of veterans who had been at previous events but were no longer around.

“It’s tough not seeing the same ones come through,” said Papin. “But each year, I see new veterans taking part in this event, and that’s special because they are carrying on this tradition.”

Speaking of traditions, the 2024 event marked another milestone for Papin, one that Murray wasn’t about to let slip away.

“It’s her 50th birthday today,” said Murray to a Fortune Bay employee who was talking to Papin. “Here, let me take a picture of you two— you can hold up a five, and she can put up a zero.”

With that, Murray took out his phone and snapped a couple of pictures. The smile on his face was contagious and the gesture put an even bigger smile on Papin’s face.

“This is an event I look forward to because of the people I get to meet,” said Papin. “It continues to growevery year, and I am very lucky to be a part of something so special.”