A veteran ties on a new hook during the fishing day held at the Tomah VA hospital. Photo taken by D. Wenger, May 21, 2008.

Harriett, and her handler Bob, meet a veteran from the Tomah VA Hospital. Photo taken by D. Wenger, May 21, 2008.

On May 21^st, staff from the Genoa National Fish Hatchery (NFH) assisted the annual fishing event held at the Tomah Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC).  Weeks prior to this event, staff stocked the Tomah VAMC fishing pond with 880 rainbow trout.  In addition to providing the fish to catch, staff and volunteers from Genoa provided a fish fry for the veterans that were participating in this year’s event.  The American Legion – Genoa Post donated 100 pounds of flat head catfish that were served after a successful morning of fishing. 

More than 100 veterans from the VAMC, along with 118 helpers from the Tomah seventh grade, tried to catch the biggest fish using worms, corn and minnows for bait.  More than 176 rainbow trout were caught by the veterans and their helpers, in addition to the bluegills, crappies, and bass. The largest rainbow trout that was caught was 17 inches long. 

Newcomers to this special event were Harriett, a rehabilitated bald eagle from the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn., and her handler Bob.  Bob, a Vietnam Veteran, explained that Harriett was especially important to him since she helped him recover from severe depression; also since Harriett is the living symbol of our nation, she is very significant to other surviving veterans.  Many of the veterans were inspired to see an eagle, and even though Harriett isn’t able to fly again due to her injuries, all participants were happy to see that Harriett had survived her injuries.

The Tomah VAMC houses 270 veterans focusing on medical specialties such as acute medicine, acute and long-term psychiatry; vocational and social rehabilitation; Alzheimer’s assessment and management; residential substance abuse treatment and post-traumatic stress disorder.