By Steve Weisman

The Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club (IGLFC) works hard to provide lots of opportunities for families when it comes to the outdoors and fishing. Events so far this year have included the Wild Game Feed to raise money for the Jim McDonnel scholarship for area high school/college students, adult & youngster hard water tournament, the ISU Kid’s ice fishing clinic, spring seminar, Ice Fishing Tournament/fundraiser at Camp Autumn, Kids Fishing Clinic (Stolley’s Park) and roadside clean-up (Fostoria). Lots more are on the calendar for the rest of the year. Really, all of these events revolve around “giving back and helping others.”

Something pretty cool is coming up for the IGLFC that continues the theme of giving back. American Heroes Outdoors is coming to the Iowa Great Lakes on May 22-24 (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) to film a future episode for Bally Sports North that will air in 2023 and as a live stream on Waypoint Outdoors TV this fall.

If you haven’t seen any of their episodes, the background is the outdoors and the show features the journey, commitment, struggle and healing of America’s service men and women as they participate in the great outdoors. IGLFC board member Paul Daniels explains how this all came about. “I was up in South Dakota a couple of years ago and met Scott St. Sauver, a well-known guide in northeast South Dakota and the co-host and Executive Director for the American Heroes Television program. After learning more about the program and Scott’s background as a 37+ year U. S. Army veteran and the passion he has for recognizing our heroes, I really felt this would be a great way to recognize veterans from our area and also a great way to showcase what the Iowa Great Lakes chain of lakes has to offer.”

St. Sauver notes that upon his retirement, he was looking for a way to give back and learned about the American Heroes program. “It was exactly what I wanted to do and for the past five years, I have had the privilege of co-hosting American Heroes Outdoors with David Morse, who is also the Chief Executive Officer. While we might film the show on a lake or afield hunting, the show is really about the guests, the people, their lives and stories.”

About American Heroes Television

Each episode is a documentation of journey, commitment, struggle and healing. The program is a tribute to this nation’s service men and women. Their stories are compelling and real. After experiencing the dangers and horror of combat, the outdoors for our nation’s heroes is a therapy.

The American Heroes website explains the focus in this way: “We believe the outdoors makes our society better. The message we have to our viewers is twofold. Hunting and fishing provide a rich heritage that can enrich the life of any man or woman. Time spent in the field or on the water cleanses the senses and soul. You don’t have to experience the horror and dangers of war to appreciate what the outdoors can offer us as individuals. Our hope with this programming however is not just to leave you with an appreciation for what the outdoors can do for people; we also want to give you a glimpse to the sacrifice, bravery and commitment of our American Heroes. The United States of America remains a land of opportunity and prosperity because of the selflessness of our military personnel.”

Scheels Hometown Heroes

According to St. Sauver heroes appear in all communities through their service, caring and sharing their talents with their community. For that reason, with the sponsorship of Scheels, each episode recognizes a special hometown hero. To be eligible, the recipient must have been a member of the United States Military or a first responder (law enforcement, fire or emergency medical service.

Daniels explains, “We will recognize our area Hometown Hero on Sunday evening during our meal and program. It is meant to be a surprise, so we won’t give out our Hometown Hero’s name until after the banquet.” The four veterans being honored include John Higgins – Navy & Korean War; Allen Smith – Air Force & Vietnam War; Tyler Peters – National Guard & Iraq War; Joe Quail – Coast Guard.

Itinerary

• Sunday evening banquet
• Monday and Tuesday filming the show, visiting with our military heroes with the backdrop of the Iowa Great Lakes (and a little fishing, of course)

(photo submitted) On a trip to Lake of the Woods, Dan Rohman (L)  and his son Grant. Dan is a combat wounded Vietnam Veteran.

(photo submitted) Guide and co-host of American Heroes Outdoors television show.