Ninety veterans, caregivers and particular friends take pleasure in a complimentary 3-night, 2-day retreat because of the generosity of Lake of the Woods resorts, organizations, and particular person donors
BAUDETTE, MN — September 5, 2025 — Ninety U.S. army veterans, caregivers and particular friends gathered final week on Minnesota’s famed Lake of the Woods for the twelfth annual Pay It Ahead Veterans Occasion, a complimentary, multi-day expertise made attainable by way of the extraordinary assist of native resorts, organizations, and caring people. Over three nights and two full days, veterans linked with each other, heard highly effective messages of hope, and skilled unforgettable fishing on the Walleye Capital of the World.
A significant welcome and opening night time program
Veterans arrived Monday afternoon and checked into their assigned resorts earlier than the opening night time. The group then convened for dinner and the opening program at Sportsman’s Lodge, the place Brandi, the lodge’s bartender and a former backup singer for a number of main acts, delivered a shifting rendition of the Nationwide Anthem. A hearty fried hen buffet with all of the trimmings set the tone for the night.
Vietnam veteran Jerry Roberts, accompanied by his spouse Suzanne, shared candid reflections on his service, the challenges he confronted upon returning residence, and the perseverance required to heal collectively. Roberts, a recipient of three Purple Hearts, spoke to the facility of assist, group, and objective—an everlasting theme all through the occasion.
Two days of huge fish and larger smiles
After breakfast Tuesday, veterans boarded resort constitution boats for a day on the water. Coolers shortly stuffed with walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, and the occasional northern pike, with sturdy bag lunches supplied aboard every boat. By late afternoon, boats returned to the docks and veterans ready for the night’s program and dinner at River Bend Resort.
River Bend served its well-known all-you-can-eat walleye alongside baked potatoes, thick-cut bacon, baked beans, sautéed onions, coleslaw, and dinner rolls—loved on the scenic banks of the Wet River. Veterans heard from Will Hangman, a 24-year U.S. Military veteran representing Warriors By no means Give Up of Sioux Falls, S.D. He shared real-life challenges veterans face and the way the group’s faith-based out of doors experiences foster resilience, camaraderie, and therapeutic.
The night additionally featured remarks from Tom Kramin, Minnesota State President of the Benevolent and Protecting Order of Elks, reaffirming the Elks’ pledge: “As long as there are veterans, the Elks will always remember them.” Extra audio system highlighted the highly effective work of Eagle’s Therapeutic Nest (Sauk Centre and Redwood Falls, Minn.), a non-profit providing a singular residing expertise centered on peer-to-peer programming and the 5 pillars of restoration, serving veterans and their households who’re navigating PTSD, anxiousness, habit, and the invisible wounds of warfare.
Wednesday introduced one other lovely day on Lake of the Woods—and extra huge fish. Gary Richards earned high honors with a walleye over 31 inches, after boating a 28-plus-inch fish the day prior. Many veterans reported each trophy catches and wonderful numbers, with recollections (and images) to match.
Closing night time celebration and keynote
Following Wednesday’s fishing, members gathered at Border View Lodge for a festive Mexican buffet—a full taco bar with hen and beef, a wide range of enchiladas, beans, rice, chips, salsa, and bitter cream.
The night’s keynote speaker, retired U.S. Military Colonel Michelle Digruttolo, supplied a compelling tackle. Digruttolo detailed her service in essential intelligence roles centered on counterterrorism, counternarcotics, and counterproliferation, together with serving as a Every day Intelligence Briefer to President Barack Obama after main the workforce that produced the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Every day Transient. At this time, she advises executives and boards on geopolitical, cyber, and rising know-how dangers affecting world operations and technique.
Two veterans—Brian Murphy and Gerald Penn from Colorado Springs, Colo.—shared shifting reflections on their Honor Flight experiences, a program offering veterans with a no-cost journey to Washington, D.C., to go to nationwide memorials and obtain a day of honor and recognition for his or her service. The night time concluded with pleasant competitors awards for the largest fish and a spirited cribbage event, capping a night stuffed with gratitude and camaraderie.
On Thursday morning, veterans loved a last breakfast, exchanged contact data with new associates, and departed for residence—recharged, supported, and linked.
Powered by generosity and group
“This occasion is about creating an area the place veterans can merely be collectively—on the water, on the desk, and in dialog—surrounded by a group that cares,” stated Joe Henry, Government Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism and occasion emcee. “We’re grateful to the resorts, organizations, and people whose generosity makes this complimentary expertise attainable yr after yr.”
Every year’s program is a collaborative effort led by Lake of the Woods Tourism and the veteran group Fishing For Life, with important assist from host resorts together with Sportsman’s Lodge, River Bend Resort, Border View Lodge, Cyrus Resort, Zippel Bay Resort, Morris Level Lake View Lodge and Birchview Resort. Their hospitality—lodging, meals, constitution boats, and workers—helps create the welcoming, restorative atmosphere that defines Pay It Ahead.
Learn how to get entangled
In case you are a veteran—or know a veteran—who may profit from a future Pay It Ahead expertise, or if you need to contribute to this significant occasion, please go to www.PayItForwardLOW.org for particulars and an software. You might also contact Joe Henry at joe.henry@lakeofthewoodsMN.com.
About Pay It Ahead – Lake of the WoodsPay It Ahead is an annual, complimentary retreat that brings veterans collectively at Lake of the Woods for world-class fishing, shared meals, and inspirational programming. The occasion is funded and staffed by way of the generosity of space resorts, group companions, organizations, and particular person donors, and is co-hosted by Lake of the Woods Tourism and Fishing For Life.
