Veterans Unite at Annual Fishing Event and Parade

A Hero's Welcome for Veterans

On Saturday, the town of Holland, Michigan, welcomed veterans with a hero’s celebration. Hundreds of people gathered along the shore to greet the returning veterans after a morning of fishing on Lake Michigan. The event, known as "Fishing with Veterans," marked its ninth year and brought together over 100 veterans who left with new friendships, cherished memories, and some impressive catches.

Holland resident Pete Ekster has been part of the crowd watching the boat parade from the shore since the event began. His son is among the dozens of volunteers who take veterans out on their boats. As a Navy veteran himself, Ekster understands the significance of the occasion.

"I come out here because I see a lot of the old vets on the boats that have never really had the experience of catching a big fish, and it just makes my heart jump," Ekster said. "When they come to the parade, they hold up their fish and they’re so proud of it, and it’s so cool. What a reward!"

The event started early in the morning, with 102 veterans from outside Michigan spending hours reeling in salmon and sharing stories. Marine and Air Force veteran Steve Bragg traveled from Minnesota to join in the fun. He drove 10 hours not just for the fish but for the sense of community he found.

"It’s like a big family," Bragg said. "Even though I don’t know who I was on the boat with when we got on the boat, we’ve become friends now that we’ve had that time together and shared the battle of the fish. We cheer each other on and have each other and have a good time sharing experiences."

Bragg also mentioned how nice it felt to be celebrated, something he hadn't experienced when he returned from Desert Storm.

"When I came back from Desert Storm, there wasn’t any parade or hoopla or anything like that," he said.

On another boat, Army and National Guard veteran David Otte and Navy veteran David Search landed the biggest fish of the day—a 24.55-pound catch. For Search, it was his first time fishing in decades. Otte was deeply moved by the effort and generosity of the volunteers.

"They’re opening these boats up for us and they’re not getting any money for this; they’re just doing it," Otte said. "And then when you come back, you see all these people lined up on the shore. It just brings tears to your eyes. So I was yelling 'Thank you' and they’re saying 'No, thank you,' and I said, 'Thank you for doing this. Thank you.'"

The celebration didn’t end on the water. At Yacht Basin Marina, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall stood as a powerful reminder of those who never made it home. Organizers emphasized that the event is about more than just fishing—it's about giving veterans a chance to connect and feel valued for their service.

Fishing with Veterans is already planning next year’s event in Holland, hoping to welcome even more heroes. The spirit of camaraderie, gratitude, and respect continues to grow with each passing year, making this event a meaningful tradition for all involved.