Free day of fishing held for veterans in Morgantown

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — Chestnut Mountain Ranch in Morgantown welcomed veterans from the community and their families to its campus in Morgantown on Friday for free fishing, food and fellowship.

The event was a collaboration between the ranch and Freedom Kia of Morgantown, which has supported the ranch for years, as well as first-time partner Operation Welcome Home.

For the event, both ponds on the ranch’s 300-acre campus were filled up with all types of different fish, including trout, bream, catfish and bass.

Freedom Kia Executive Director Steve Finn told 12 News that the organizations just wanted to give the veterans a chance to enjoy time with their families.

“They’ve all given a part of their life to our freedom and I mean, this is just a little bit of—give back to say thank you,” Finn said.

Finn told 12 News that they’re hoping to make this event an annual affair. However, he said that will depend primarily on the turnout and interest levels following this year’s event.

Students from Chestnut Mountain Ranch, which is a Christian school and home for boys who are in need of hope and healing, also came down to the ponds to fish alongside participants during the time they weren’t in class.

“Partnering with their families, we pursue family reunification whenever possible,” said Finn. “A lot of our children have been through a lot and there’s been a lot of trauma. There’s been a lot of heartache, there’s a lot of wounds.”

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