Veterans at Warrior’s Weekend show off their fish caught in Port O’Connor Waters. The red drum on the left was the largest catch of the day, weighing in at 33 pounds. -Photo by Mike Hessong

For those of you who are new to Port O’connor, there is a special event honoring combat wounded veterans that is held locally once a year known as Warriors’ Weekend. Traditionally held in the summer, the event – put on by the nonprofit organization known as warriors weekend.org – treats qualifying vets to a weekend chock-full of guided fishing trips, catered meals, and even an opening-night poker tournament for those who wish to play, which begins after the annual fish fry that kick things off. A little fish and chips, if you will.

For many years now, much like the changing of the seasons can be felt in the bones, you can sense the presence of the returning warriors as they make their approach. Almost like clockwork, local citizens begin to band together in an effort to adequately prepare for the festivities. With attendance of prior years reaching 600+ participants and a potential price tag upwards of $500,000, it is definitely quite the undertaking to behold.

Although attendance was only a fraction of that in past years, due to the pandemic as well as the unexpected visit from some bad weather, neither mother nature nor covid was getting in the way that day and we without falter, vets could be found out on the water in the elements, “rippin’-lips” POC style.

In conclusion, Warriors’ Weekend has been and, I believe it always will be, a great happening to witness. A certain sense of pride is inevitably felt from being part of a community who puts forth such a strong effort to show most deserved appreciation to those who have fought, as well as been injured, in defense of the liberties we enjoy today. Beginning in 2007, Warriors’ Weekend has 15 years down and, hopefully, many more to come. With each year by typically larger than the prior, one can’t help but wonder what is coming around the bend.

A Success Despite the Weather

Just when it looked like all would be lost, the Good Lord smiles upon Warrior’s Weekend once again on May 22nd, the skies cleared up and our heroes went fishing. That was some of the worst weather we have experienced in a long time. It was still blowing and raining the early morning of the 22nd and it looked grim for fishing. I was already in the process of making plans to bus them to Victoria to play bingo. Imagine that. But our dock guys, Kelly Parks and Russell Hofer said to hold on, it looked like it would start to clear and we can load them on the boats about 9am. It did and we did. All 215 of them. They had a great day.

We could not do this without the sponsors and volunteers including the local folks, led by Pastor Erny from Fisherman’s Chapel who prepared the great breakfast the morning of. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Russell Hofer and his great crew for the great fish fry on Friday night and the breakfast again on Sunday morning. Russell and Kelly did a great job of loading the heroes on the boats along some of our other volunteers. They are amazing.

A big “shout out” must go to our boat captains who showed up in force with apologies to those of you who did not get a hero on your boat. You will have the chance once again on August 7th as we host up to 100 Purple Heart recipients for their own tournament. This will be hosted @ the fabulous 5D Steakhouse and sets up perfectly for us hosting a smaller size event. I cannot tell you how gracious Brianne and her whole staff have been to Warrior’s Weekend. So, boat captains, thank you again and please sign up to take a Purple Heart hero fishing on the 7th of August, National Purple Heart Day.

Ron Kocian, President
Warrior’s Weekend
www.warriorsweekend.org

Texas Water Safari 2021 Winners
Kaitlin Mynar, team captain. Racers (from left to right) Kyle Mynar, Tommy Yonley, Nick Walton, Tim Rask; Landen Jiral, team captain. Winning time was 35 hours, 46 minutes.

(Article written before the start of this year’s race.)

Being part of something as big as the World’s Toughest Canoe Race would make most anyone proud! The canoe race, dubbed the Texas Water Safari, had its beginnings in 1963. Initially there were 58 canoes that entered the first race. Only two teams of those 58 canoes finished that first year. 2021 has 148 entries with over 325 paddlers. People come from all over the world to compete in this grueling test of endurance. Competitors have come from at least 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, eight foreign countries have sent competitors for the race. They are Australia, Belize, Canada, Dubai, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

The race beglns the morning of June 12 at the mouth of the San Marcos River and ends in the San Antonio Bay. This year’s race ends at the Bill Sanders Memorial Park across the bay from Seadrift. Finishers are expected to arrive as early as Sunday night, June 13. Generally it takes anywhere from 48 to 100 hours to complete the race. The course itself is 262 miles. Along the way there are usually about 11 checkpoints which are set up to make sure participants are amply supplied to finish the race. Team captains and race officials are present at the checkpoints.

Seadrift residents Ed Jones, his wife Brenda along with son Brian, daughter Tonya, and granddaughter Jordyn have all been impacted by the Texas Water Safari. For them the race has been a catalyst in bringing them together as family. Ed, Brenda, and Brian have all been competitors in the Texas Water Safari. Daughter Tonya has been their team captain and granddaughter Jordyn provides critical weather information.

Over the years there have been quite a few people from the Seadrift/Port O’Connor area who entered the race… their stories are still cherished today!

Ed and Barbara Jones competing in the Texas Water Safari

Lloyd “Bucky” Chatham, a native of Seadrift TX, has passed away. Bucky was one of the true characters of the Texas Water Safari. He was a 5 time finisher of the race, all in the top 15, with his best finish, 2nd place, in 1975 in a sculling rig. His final race was in 2003 with Tom Goynes, Joe Mynar, and John Dunn. They finished 6th overall, 5th Unlimited in 42 hrs, 35 minutes. Thank you,Paula Goynes, for this picture of Bucky (at left) with Tom Goynes and Owen West at the steps of the finish line, June 12, 2011.

Texas Water Safari Mural

Mural Dedicated

On June 15th, the Texas Water Safari Board dedicated a new mural on the wall at Dick’s Food Store at 202 Broadway Ave. in Seadrift. The original mural that was painted in the 1980’s by Betty Moone deteriorated over the years and the TWS Board asked Joy Emshoff, an artist from Austin to paint a new one.

The Mural depicts local Seadrifters, Butch Hodges and Robert Chatham, in row boat, “Delta Dawn “, in their 1976 historic victory. They were first overall in 37 hours and 18 minutes – a new record.

“Old Shorty”

Bill Sanders Memorial Park – Finish Line for Texas Water Safari

Pictured above, sitting on the side of “Old Shorty” with a white cap and light-colored shirt is Bill Sanders. Bill Sanders is the man to whom the park where this year’s Texas Water Safari finishes is dedicated. And Bill Sanders happens to be one of the first Seadrift contestants to enter the race.

The year was 1965. The boat was “Old Shorty.” The crew was Bill Sanders, Jerry Weaver, and “Buttons” Morgan. The Water Safari was in its third year and the race started at the mouth of the San Marcos River and ended in Freeport. The race took six days. Back then the only provisions you had were what was in your boat. River water “flavored” with bleach was what they drank. A will to win was a must!

“Old Shorty” was custom-built to either sail or oar. Unfortunately, for the crew, sailing was out of the question due to adverse conditions. “Old Shorty” and its crew placed tenth in the race that year. Also, placing in the race were Bill Sander’s son “Froggie” and Charlie Hall.

Seadrift made its mark that year with the Texas Water Safari!

-Tanya DeForest

Brooklyn Redmond is a Calhoun High School 2021 Graduate. She was Born in Wheat Ridge, Colorado on May 9, 2003. She has lived almost all of her life in Port O’ Connor, Texas. She is the Daughter of Bryan and Misty Richter of Port O’ Connor, TX and Sean and Colleen Redmond of Denver, CO. She started her Education at Port O’ Connor Elementary and then on to Travis Middle School where she was in the National Junior Honors Society for her 7th & 8th Grade year. She has also been a member of the POC Intercoastal 4H Club since the 4th Grade where she showed Chickens 8 years. When she moved on to Calhoun High School she joined FFA and the Horticultural Club and also became a member of the National Honor Society her Junior and Senior year. Brooklyn was accepted to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado among other colleges and plans to study Aerospace Engineering starting in the fall of 2021. After college she hopes to continue her education and work for the SpaceX program.
Andrew Ragusin, 18, is a 2021 Calhoun High School Graduate. He is the son of Rachel Bowman from Port Lavaca and Louis Ragusin from Port O’Connor. He is the grandson of Dale & Audrey Bowman from Seadrift, Joe & Elida Ragusin from Port O’Connor and Lisa Blackmon of Port Lavaca.

Andrew was active with the Intercoastal POC 4-H Club throughout school where he raised turkeys for 7 years. After graduation he would like to take a break from the books as he works during the summer. He plans on attending a trade school for welding when summer is over.

Victoria Hoskins, daughter of Chuck and Kathy Hoskins and granddaughter to Rudy and Ninfa Covarrubias, recently graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with my Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. I intend on using this degree to help adults with brain injuries or neurodegenerative diseases communicate, think, eat, and connect socially with others to maintain and improve quality of life. Many thanks to my family, who is the best support system a girl could ask for. Thanks and Wreck Em!

Derek Antonio Vasquez graduated from Calhoun High School. He is the son of Derek and Audie Vasquez. Grandparents are Erasmo “Razz” and Martha Montemayor and David Vasquez and the late Cindy Vasquez. Derek plans on following in his Father’s footsteps and building custom homes with Dad, Grandpa and Uncles with Vasquez Construction.

On June 3, 2021, Calhoun County 4-H Sportfishing Club hosted a water safety training for 4-H members at the Port Lavaca YMCA Pool led by Calhoun County Coastal & Marine Extension Agent, RJ Shelly, Calhoun County 4-H Youth Development Agent, Emilee DeForest and Matagorda County Coastal & Marine Extension Agent, Nicole Pilson.

Members first were fitted for a life jacket. They were then tasked to jump in the pool to see how the life jacket works in keeping their heads above the water to keep them safe. Shelly showed the participants how to throw a throwable PFD and use a kayak paddle to save their friends, instead of jumping in the water after them.

After these basic, but necessary, tasks were successfully completed by the participants, they were then able to learn how to paddle around in a kayak. Learning to kayak in the pool gave the 4-H members a unique opportunity to learn in a “controlled” environment. This helped them to gain the confidence needed to kayak around Boggy and Blind Bayou for the trips we take.

When the confidence levels were high enough, the 4-H members were then shown what to do if the kayak tips over or if they fall out of the kayak. The youth took turns practicing flipping the kayaks over and getting back in the seats.

Overall, the 4-H members had a great time while learning skills they will be able to use throughout their lives. Being safe on the water is always the #1 priority, and learning this at a young age will help to prevent future accidents.

This event was the first step in preparing this group of youth to have a safe and fun summer outdoors with the programs the Calhoun County 4-H Sportfishing Club plans to have. These programs will include kayaking, fishing, crabbing, seining and other water/coastal related activities using equipment purchased with funding by the Matagorda Bay Mitigation Trust.

To learn more about how to get involved in the Calhoun County 4-H program, contact Emilee DeForest at emilee.deforest@ag.tamu.edu, or log on to www.texas4-h.tamu.edu.