Grand Isle, Louisiana

June 26 – 28, 2025

The success of the 9th Annual Wounded War Heroes Grand Isle Offshore Rodeo cannot be denied. This year, held right here at Bridge Side Marina in Grand Isle, Louisiana, from June 26th to 28th, was truly something special. We had the incredible privilege of hosting 52 veterans, embarking on two days of fishing thanks to the selfless dedication of 22 volunteer boat owners. That spirit of generosity and gratitude set the tone for the entire weekend.

Thursday evening, we kicked things off with a warm welcome and a delicious meal of jambalaya and fried shrimp, generously provided by Pelican Waste and GIS. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect, as we introduced each veteran to their veteran fishing partner and the captain who would guide them on the water. We also took a moment to acknowledge our bronze and silver sponsors, whose support was crucial to making this event a reality.

Friday brought the excitement of the open water! Our teams eagerly pursued catches across eight categories, from the elusive cobia and mahi-mahi to the prized grouper, mangrove and red snapper, tuna, and wahoo. The weigh scales were busy with activity as the day progressed. That evening, we gathered again for a feast of crawfish etouffee and boiled shrimp, expertly prepared by DLS Energy and Pintail Fabrication. This was followed by a special recognition of our gold and platinum sponsors, along with our key contributors, for their extraordinary generosity.

Saturday dawned bright and early, and our fishing teams were back at it, many focusing on the plentiful red snapper. The weigh scales remained busy until the afternoon. Later that evening, SLC Development provided a fantastic dinner of shrimp creole, white beans, and fried fish. Following dinner, we celebrated the day’s catches with our fishing awards. Then came our annual auction, which was a resounding success thanks to the incredible items donated and the enthusiastic bidding!

Throughout the weekend, some members of the Baton Rouge Police Department volunteered their time and effort to clean and prepare all the fish caught, ensuring each veteran received an ice chest filled with their bounty.

Finally, we held a drawing, giving each veteran the chance to select a door prize or trip valued at over $300.

But more than just fishing, awards, and prizes, this rodeo was about something far more profound: outdoor therapy for our veterans. It’s a small token of our immense appreciation for their selfless sacrifices and unwavering dedication to defending our freedom.

We owe a special debt of gratitude to our major sponsors: Combat Veterans to Careers, Dufrene Building Materials, and Tres Hombres Ranch. Their continued generosity and unwavering support of our veterans is truly inspiring. The camaraderie, good times, and lasting memories forged this weekend will stay with us all. To our veterans, we cannot thank you enough for your service and sacrifice. We sincerely hope you know how deeply we appreciate you.