Twenty-three veterans and volunteers from the Long Beach PHWFF program headed north to Bishop, CA, our “home away from home.” The people of Bishop really go all out for each of our fishing trips there and we’ve become very good friends with many of them.Veterans Helping Veterans barbecued extraordinary steaks for us at the Elks Park the first night. Pizza 395 provided unlimited pizza, salad, beverages and ice cream bar the second night. Olga Rojas and her helpers made home-made Mexican food at the VFW where we were entertained by Fiddling Pete who played the fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo, all while wearing a pink tutu that Olga had put on him. He was very good and very funny. There followed a bit of dancing and lots of laughing.
Fishing was very good for some, challenging for others, but it was a learning experience for all of us. Eight Eastern Sierra guides donated two days of guided fishing for the vets, so we were able to spread out to many different locations such as Crowley Lake, Long Ears on the Upper Owens River, the Lower Owens, Bishop Creek, Mc Gee Creek and others. Evening were full of lots of chatting, laughing and socializing.
Fishing was very good for some, challenging for others, but it was a learning experience for all of us. Eight Eastern Sierra guides donated two days of guided fishing for the vets, so we were able to spread out to many different locations such as Crowley Lake, Long Ears on the Upper Owens River, the Lower Owens, Bishop Creek, Mc Gee Creek and others. Evening were full of lots of chatting, laughing and socializing.
During our visit, Olga Rojas was presented with the Patriot Award for her years of organizing complimentary meals for the disabled veterans of the Long Beach PHWFF program, saving us thousands of dollars. She has also made each one of us feel very special and loved with her giving and caring personality. Although she has Stage 4 breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, she continues to care for others like our veterans as well as others in Bishop. She is one amazing woman and we love her.
