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Healing Heroes tour in Virginia

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After the Elite Series event on the Potomac River, three Elite Series anglers, Edwin Evers, Jason Christie and Davy Hite stayed an extra day to fish with three Purple Heart recipients.
After the Elite Series event on the Potomac River, three Elite Series anglers, Edwin Evers, Jason Christie and Davy Hite stayed an extra day to fish with three Purple Heart recipients.
The final event on Edwin Evers’ Optima Batteries Healing Heroes in Action Tour presented by General Tire was held on Mill Pond near Richmond Virginia.
The final event on Edwin Evers’ Optima Batteries Healing Heroes in Action Tour presented by General Tire was held on Mill Pond near Richmond Virginia.
Mill Pond is a picturesque reservoir situated on one of the oldest plantations in the country.
Mill Pond is a picturesque reservoir situated on one of the oldest plantations in the country.
The event pairs Elite anglers with soldiers who are Purple Heart recipients for a day of day of fishing and camaraderie. It also includes a tournament between the paired anglers.
The event pairs Elite anglers with soldiers who are Purple Heart recipients for a day of day of fishing and camaraderie. It also includes a tournament between the paired anglers.
And it also allows a team of “Average Joe” fishermen who won a Facebook auction for the opportunity to compete against the Elite anglers.
And it also allows a team of “Average Joe” fishermen who won a Facebook auction for the opportunity to compete against the Elite anglers.
Teams in this event included Nathan Allen of Aberdeen, Md., who spent the day with Davy Hite.
Teams in this event included Nathan Allen of Aberdeen, Md., who spent the day with Davy Hite.
Jacob
Jacob “Jake” Whipkey of Boswell, Pa., and Edwin Evers.
Jeremy Smith of Milford, Pa., and Jason Christie.
Jeremy Smith of Milford, Pa., and Jason Christie.
The “average Joe team” were Scott Stephenson of Prince George, Va., and Calvin
The “average Joe team” were Scott Stephenson of Prince George, Va., and Calvin “Catfish” Hunter of Chesterfield, Va. Hunter is a veteran of the Vietnam War.
The events are designed to help with the healing process soldiers often need to undergo after being wounded in conflict. Evers believes there’s no better way to do that than with fishing.
The events are designed to help with the healing process soldiers often need to undergo after being wounded in conflict. Evers believes there’s no better way to do that than with fishing.
And all the soldiers able to attend the events agree that time on the water helps heal in many ways.
And all the soldiers able to attend the events agree that time on the water helps heal in many ways.
But make no mistake, these events always come with a heavy dose of competitiveness.
But make no mistake, these events always come with a heavy dose of competitiveness.
You can’t put two Elite anglers on the same water and not expect them to work extra hard to beat the other.
You can’t put two Elite anglers on the same water and not expect them to work extra hard to beat the other.
But this event had an extra bit of competitive spirit added to it. Allen and…
But this event had an extra bit of competitive spirit added to it. Allen and…
Whipley had a full head of hair on the line.
Whipley had a full head of hair on the line.
The loser in that match up agreed to allow the winner the time to shave his head. It added an extra bit of drama to the whole day.
The loser in that match up agreed to allow the winner the time to shave his head. It added an extra bit of drama to the whole day.
But before the hair could be cut, these anglers would spill out into the lake, a 75-acre impoundment that dates back to the 1600s.
But before the hair could be cut, these anglers would spill out into the lake, a 75-acre impoundment that dates back to the 1600s.
With temperatures and heat index pushing the century mark, the action was steady, but outside of the temperature, not overly hot.
With temperatures and heat index pushing the century mark, the action was steady, but outside of the temperature, not overly hot.
A five-fish limit would determine the winner.
A five-fish limit would determine the winner.
Of those five, though, only two could come from the Elite angler.
Of those five, though, only two could come from the Elite angler.
And as you could imagine, the Elite anglers caught plenty.
And as you could imagine, the Elite anglers caught plenty.
It didn’t take long for them to be reeling in keepers.
It didn’t take long for them to be reeling in keepers.
Stephenson and Hunter were reeling them in a consistent basis as well.
Stephenson and Hunter were reeling them in a consistent basis as well.
The lake was full of fish.
The lake was full of fish.
But most of them were small.
But most of them were small.
But the size didn’t mean the soldiers weren’t having a ball.
But the size didn’t mean the soldiers weren’t having a ball.
They caught their share as well
They caught their share as well
And kept catching them all day.
And kept catching them all day.
Jeremy Smith shows off one of several crappie that bit during the day, while Christie tries to figure out a way to make it count toward their total.
Jeremy Smith shows off one of several crappie that bit during the day, while Christie tries to figure out a way to make it count toward their total.
The fish came all day and all of it was captured for a special live broadcast on Bassmaster.com.
The fish came all day and all of it was captured for a special live broadcast on Bassmaster.com.
Each of the teams had a Bassmaster camera and the action was streamed directly to the web site.
Each of the teams had a Bassmaster camera and the action was streamed directly to the web site.
And there was plenty to watch with fish after fish hitting the livewell.
And there was plenty to watch with fish after fish hitting the livewell.
They covered every corner of the lake, looking for that special place, including the extremely shallow areas.
They covered every corner of the lake, looking for that special place, including the extremely shallow areas.
Or little pockets scattered around the shore.
Or little pockets scattered around the shore.
And some endured the heat, by simply taking a seat and casting from there.
And some endured the heat, by simply taking a seat and casting from there.
The competitive spirit, though, was off the charts. In this photo, Evers rushes to beat Christie to a prime spot.
The competitive spirit, though, was off the charts. In this photo, Evers rushes to beat Christie to a prime spot.
And coming from a different direction, Christie tries to beat him.
And coming from a different direction, Christie tries to beat him.
They both showed up at the same time and there was plenty of trash talking to go around.
They both showed up at the same time and there was plenty of trash talking to go around.
But most of the talk on the lake centered around Allen’s challenge to Whipkey.
But most of the talk on the lake centered around Allen’s challenge to Whipkey.
Whipkey gave as good as he got.
Whipkey gave as good as he got.
The highlight of the day, though, came during the mid morning when Allen would hook up with a special fish.
The highlight of the day, though, came during the mid morning when Allen would hook up with a special fish.
Hite would rush to the side of the boat to help land the fish.
Hite would rush to the side of the boat to help land the fish.
And as soon as he got his hands on it he started pulling out a giant.
And as soon as he got his hands on it he started pulling out a giant.
And he started screaming at the same time.
And he started screaming at the same time.
Allen would add his own screams and a fist pump.
Allen would add his own screams and a fist pump.
And the two would start screaming together.
And the two would start screaming together.
The two would pose for a photo with the big fish.
The two would pose for a photo with the big fish.
Slap a high-five.
Slap a high-five.
Then admire the fish some more.
Then admire the fish some more.
The fish would weigh 8.88 pounds and provide a huge cushion in the contest.
The fish would weigh 8.88 pounds and provide a huge cushion in the contest.
They would wind up with a limit that weighed a total of 14.30 pounds.
They would wind up with a limit that weighed a total of 14.30 pounds.
Allen may want to add a tattoo of the fish to his military insignia on his right leg.
Allen may want to add a tattoo of the fish to his military insignia on his right leg.
Evers and Whipkey would wind up second in the contest with a total of 10.53 pounds.
Evers and Whipkey would wind up second in the contest with a total of 10.53 pounds.
While Stephenson and Hunter would be third with 9.75 pounds.
While Stephenson and Hunter would be third with 9.75 pounds.
A day after amassing an amazing 23 pound stringer on the Potomac River, Christie and Smith would finish fourth with 9.28 pounds.
A day after amassing an amazing 23 pound stringer on the Potomac River, Christie and Smith would finish fourth with 9.28 pounds.
Whipkey would fish the remaining hour and half with his hair, but by the end of the contest, Allen would shave him bald.
Whipkey would fish the remaining hour and half with his hair, but by the end of the contest, Allen would shave him bald.
After a day on the water, it was time for some photos.
After a day on the water, it was time for some photos.
In addition to Hite, Christie and Evers, a fourth team comprised of Calvin Hunter and Scott Stephenson were the high bidders on an auction to raise funds for Wounded Warriors in Action events.
In addition to Hite, Christie and Evers, a fourth team comprised of Calvin Hunter and Scott Stephenson were the high bidders on an auction to raise funds for Wounded Warriors in Action events.
After fishing for six hours on a private lake near Richmond, Va., the teams gathered for the weigh in.
After fishing for six hours on a private lake near Richmond, Va., the teams gathered for the weigh in.
The first team to weigh in were the team of Hunter and Stephenson.
The first team to weigh in were the team of Hunter and Stephenson.
Their five fish limit weighed 9.75 pounds.
Their five fish limit weighed 9.75 pounds.
Hunter and Stephenson with four of their best fish.
Hunter and Stephenson with four of their best fish.
Next to weigh in was Elite Series pro Jason Christie and his teammate, Jeremy Smith from Milford, Pa.
Next to weigh in was Elite Series pro Jason Christie and his teammate, Jeremy Smith from Milford, Pa.
Christie and Smith weighed in 9.28 pounds.
Christie and Smith weighed in 9.28 pounds.
Nathan Allen carried the weigh in bag from the boat after spending the day fishing with Davy Hite.
Nathan Allen carried the weigh in bag from the boat after spending the day fishing with Davy Hite.
The scales would eventually settle on a weight of 14.29 pounds for Allen and Hite.
The scales would eventually settle on a weight of 14.29 pounds for Allen and Hite.
There were handshakes and high-fives for the team of Allen and Hite. They would end the day with the winning weight.
There were handshakes and high-fives for the team of Allen and Hite. They would end the day with the winning weight.
The surprise of the day was the big fish Nathan Allen had caught early in the day.
The surprise of the day was the big fish Nathan Allen had caught early in the day.
Allen caught the fish while the team was being shown on Bassmaster Live. The big fish bit while he was telling the story of how he was wounded in combat.
Allen caught the fish while the team was being shown on Bassmaster Live. The big fish bit while he was telling the story of how he was wounded in combat.
Allen's fish was by far the heavyweight fish of the day. At 8.89 pounds, it was by far the biggest bass he had caught in his lifetime.
Allen’s fish was by far the heavyweight fish of the day. At 8.89 pounds, it was by far the biggest bass he had caught in his lifetime.
The final team to weigh their fish was the team of Edwin Evers and his partner Jacob Whipkey from Boswell, Pa.
The final team to weigh their fish was the team of Edwin Evers and his partner Jacob Whipkey from Boswell, Pa.
Evers and Whipkey could not bump Hite and Allen from the lead. They ended the day in 2nd place with 10.53 pounds.
Evers and Whipkey could not bump Hite and Allen from the lead. They ended the day in 2nd place with 10.53 pounds.
Evers and Whipkey with two of their better fish.
Evers and Whipkey with two of their better fish.
After the weigh in concluded, there was a bit of unfinished business. Jacob Whipkey runs his fingers through his head of hair he was about to lose.
After the weigh in concluded, there was a bit of unfinished business. Jacob Whipkey runs his fingers through his head of hair he was about to lose.
The night before the tournament, the two men that had served together, Whipkey and Nathan Allen had made a bet...the loser would agree to have his head shaved.
The night before the tournament, the two men that had served together, Whipkey and Nathan Allen had made a bet…the loser would agree to have his head shaved.
Davy Hite and everybody gathered around to watch, roared with laughter when Allen first ran the shears through Whipkey's hair.
Davy Hite and everybody gathered around to watch, roared with laughter when Allen first ran the shears through Whipkey’s hair.
Allen took his time as he slowly shaved all the the hair from Whipkey's head.
Allen took his time as he slowly shaved all the the hair from Whipkey’s head.
But Whipkey was very good natured about the proceedings, saying a bet was a bet.
But Whipkey was very good natured about the proceedings, saying a bet was a bet.
Edwin Evers laughed as the two good friends that have been through so much together, admired the finished product that was now Whipkey's bald head.
Edwin Evers laughed as the two good friends that have been through so much together, admired the finished product that was now Whipkey’s bald head.
Whipkey holds the hair that formally was attached to his scalp, but said at least he still had the beard.
Whipkey holds the hair that formally was attached to his scalp, but said at least he still had the beard.

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