Aug 25, 2023   SOURCE: BusinessWire

World’s Largest Non-profit Sportfishing Tournament Benefiting Combat-wounded Veterans, War Heroes on Water, Returns for Sixth Annual Event

In just one month's time, 125 United States Military veterans will join Southern California’s sportfishing community for the sixth annual War Heroes On Water (WHOW) event. This transformative three-day sportfishing tournament brings hope and healing to combat-wounded veterans, aiding their recovery from the physical and emotional wounds of war. The extraordinary event, which is made possible through the unwavering support of the area’s sportfishing community, features 50 new and returning vessels in this year’s steadfast WHOW fleet.

Founded by Anthony Hsieh in 2018, WHOW embodies the appreciation owed to our nation’s veterans. Hsieh remarked, "Building upon the success of last year's record-setting event, WHOW continues to provide us with the opportunity to pay tribute to the profound sacrifices of our veterans. Our purpose is to express our deep gratitude to these heroes and embrace them in a community of love and support, which we do by tapping into the healing powers of the open ocean and fostering connections among fellow veterans who share in, and understand, one another’s experiences.”

Central to the heart of WHOW are the numerous participants and volunteers, including yacht owners, captains, and crews, whose collective contributions represent invaluable financial and time investments. This extraordinary effort ensures that veterans are embraced during the three-day on-water segment of the tournament. The inviting environment of the WHOW fleet provides veterans with the opportunity to tap into the therapeutic power of the open ocean, nurturing deep bonds with their fellow team members and establishing a resilient support network that reaches far beyond the confines of the event.

"As we look ahead to next month, we're excited to reunite friends, welcome new additions to the WHOW family, and witness the local community come together to show their unwavering support for our nation's heroes," said WHOW Tournament Director Rod Halperin. "Every year, we are so encouraged by our sponsors and the SoCal sportfishing community who provide an outpouring of support, generously offering their yachts, time, and angling expertise to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the combat-wounded veterans we serve."

This year’s highly anticipated event will see more than 225 familiar and first-time corporate and private donors and sponsors come together to make meaningful contributions. Throughout its five-year history, the generous support of the WHOW family including the fleet, corporate sponsors, and individual donors and volunteers—has enabled the tournament to directly serve 300 veterans on the water and raise more than $5 million to support thousands more through Freedom Alliance’s year-round therapeutic services and scholarships for combat-wounded service members and their families.

Thomas Pacheco, a 2022 WHOW participant and retired Army telecommunication systems chief, shared the impact of last year’s tournament, “Back in the military, I really felt like I was somebody important and when I retired, I felt like I was nobody. This tournament brought me back up to where I was somebody again, so thank you very much.”

WHOW officially kicks off Saturday, September 23, 2023. Following an intimate reception and silent auction for participants, the public is invited to an inspiring, patriotic and visually stunning community boat parade through Newport Harbor that pays homage to the bravery of these men and women and allows the community to express its deep-seated gratitude. The parade route features several easy-to-access public viewing areas to ensure that as many spectators as possible can see this rousing event from the water and the shores. Festivities commence at 4:30pm (local time), with designated pedestrian viewing areas available on THIS MAP.

Once on the water, the prowess of SoCal's world-class anglers will shine as they teach and guide their veteran teams in mastering fishing techniques while establishing bonds and connections. The tournament closes September 25 when the fleet will assemble just outside Avalon Harbor—creating a sweeping vista of exceptional fishing talent—for a flyover of vintage WWII planes to salute our nation’s heroes. Following the flyover, the veterans, captains and crews will disembark from their vessels to weigh and celebrate their catches on Catalina’s iconic Green Pier – a coveted opportunity and dream for many west coast anglers.

The tournament also celebrates the remarkable lives of fellow veterans through two special awards—the “Ron Ashimine Award,” created in memoriam of the Vietnam veteran and lifelong friend of Hsieh, and the “Josh Miles Award,” created in memoriam to honor the legacy of the tournament’s beloved collaborator, veteran and colleague. These awards, celebrating Top Angler and Top Boat, respectively, are highly coveted by participants and evoke strong emotions during the heartfelt awards ceremony, which will take place September 26 at the Newport Beach Country Club after tournament ranking points are calculated.

"With every year, and every hero we’re able to support through WHOW – we see the impact of the tournament and the bonds that form grow even stronger,” said Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “It’s inspiring to see the SoCal sportfishing community come together in this incredible way – their generous support helps our vets heal – and form a life-long support system they can turn to whenever they need – 24/7. Our combat-wounded veterans have sacrificed in ways that we will never understand, and we are so grateful for everyone who creates this incredible experience for them.”

About War Heroes on Water

War Heroes on Water (WHOW) is an annual sportfishing tournament of unprecedented scale that supports combat-wounded veterans’ programs. It was created in 2018 by loanDepot Founder and Chairman Anthony Hsieh, who is also the owner and leader of Team Bad Company, a world-class, record-holding competitive sportfishing fleet. Through Hsieh's deep connections with the Southern California sportfishing and business communities, WHOW has grown exponentially and is now the largest non-profit sportfishing tournament in the US.

Additional information, including photos and videos from past tournaments, may be found at www.warheroesonwater.com | Instagram: @warheroesonwater | Facebook: www.facebook.com/WarHeroesonWater | YouTube: War Heroes on Water Fishing Tournament

About Freedom Alliance

Freedom Alliance is a charitable organization which provides help and support to wounded troops and military families. Freedom Alliance has awarded more than $25 million in college scholarships to the children of military heroes killed or disabled in military service and has spent millions more helping injured veterans and military families with outdoor recreational therapy trips, Heroes Vacations, care packages for deployed troops, mortgage-free homes, all-terrain wheelchairs and much more. To learn more, visit www.FreedomAlliance.org or Facebook.com/FreedomAlliance.