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Jim Stafford News Archives
Congressional Medal of Honor Society Fishing Tourney Nets Plenty of Fun in Branson, Missouri Branson, MO - The Congressional Medal of Honor carries big weight in the fishing world. The Branson Bass Club was awarded the "Special Events" award for conducting a bass fishing tournament sponsored by the Jim Stafford Theatre in honor of the Congressional Medal of Honor hero's. On February 9, 2004, Bass Masters notified the Branson Bass Club that they had won the Central Division Special Event award and were one of four finalists for the national award, which will be announced at the 2004 Federation Championship in Tulsa, Okalahoma in April. The Jim Stafford Theater sponsored the event while the Branson Bass Club conducted the event by doing the weigh-in and giving out prizes that the supporting sponsors donated. Thirty-four Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients boarded fishing boats and departed from the Chateau on the Lake Marina in Branson, Missouri for a day of bass fishing and camaraderie on Monday September 15, 2003. Each Recipient was paired with a member of the Branson BASS Club or with one of the guest pros & guides as their partner for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Fishing Tournament on Table Rock Lake. After the tournament, nationally renowned entertainer, Jim Stafford handed out awards and thanked the Medal of Honor Recipients, "We were pleased to sponsor the tournament and host these heroes, to give them something back for their service to our country. It was a treat to have them net plenty of fun on their visit to Branson." This outing, sponsored by the Branson BASS Club and the Jim Stafford Theatre, was part of a four day, event-filled Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention hosted by Radisson Hotel Branson and the Branson Veterans Task Force. In the upcoming weeks, the Branson Bass Club will be notified of the National Award. Tate Womack, Jim Stafford Theatre Director of Sales and tournament director said, "This was our way of thanking these men for what they have done for our country. It was a once in a lifetime event and something to cherish forever. While we're pleased with the award from Bass Masters, the opportunity to spend a day fishing with these heroes on Table Rock Lake was extraordinary." The Congressional Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award for valor in action by men and women in the armed forces. It is given for actions that are "above and beyond" the call of duty in combat against an armed enemy. Awarded by Congress and presented by the President, the first Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded on March 25, 1863. Since the Civil War, there have only been 3,419 recipients of this honor and currently there are 136 still living. First Place Honors to Recipient James Taylor and guide Marty Conrad with 4 fish weighing 9.34 pounds. Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients participating in the tournament included: John Baca, John Baker, Don Ballard, Melvin Biddle, Robert Bush, Francis Currey, Roger Donlon, Russell Dunham, Bernard Fisher, Wesley Fox, Micheal Fitzmaurice, Ed Freeman, Shizuya Hayashi, Robert Howard, Col. Joe Jackson, Leonard Keller, Gary Littrell, Jose Lopez, Allen Lynch, Bob Omalley, Hirishi Miyamura, Thomas Norris, Michael Novesel, Alfred Rascon, Ronald Rosser, Alejandro Ruiz, Clarence Sasser, Richard Sorenson, James Swett, James Taylor, Leo Thorenson, and Gary Wetzel. Branson BASS Club members participating in the tournament included: Jim Bruffey, Harold Bryeans, Jerry Causey, Guy Frahm, Eddie Gross, Gerald McDaniel, Kory Mitchell, Gary Nicklaus, Mike Radney, Max Ray, Dan Stibich, Phillip Stone, Bob Welch and Tate Womack. Other invited fishing guides and pros participating included: Kevin Bowling, Charlie Campbell, Marty Conrad, Charlie Davis, Pat Dial, Mike Eby, Lefty Evans, Bud Fisher, Larry Herndon, Stacy King, Ed Larson, Johnny Lee, Gary Marshall, T.D. Russell, Lane Schumaker, Dr. Larry Segar, Jerry Snyder, Mike Webb, Pete Winners, Greg Wood and Pee Wee Youngblood. Return to Top |