Commissioner Adam Putnam Announces Saltwater Fishing Trip for Florida’s Wounded Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Aaron Keller
April 27, 2015	(850) 617-7737 Twitter: @FDACSNews
Commissioner Adam Putnam Announces Saltwater Fishing Trip for Florida’s Wounded Veterans        TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – More than 1.5 million veterans call Florida home, and Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is honoring veterans who were wounded during service through Operation Outdoor Freedom. This program provides unique recreational opportunities throughout Florida to wounded veterans. Wounded veterans can register online nowfor a fishing trip on June 12 near Pine Island, Florida. Space is limited and registration closes onMay 6. “While we can never repay our wounded veterans who have selflessly served and sacrificed in order to protect our freedom, we can help honor them by providing recreational opportunities to enjoy Florida’s great outdoors,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. Since the program’s creation in 2011, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted numerous events on Florida’s state forests, private ranches, timber lands and waterways. In total, more than 1,500 wounded veterans have participated in outdoor activities like guided alligator hunts, deer and hog hunts; quail and turkey hunts; freshwater fishing and canoeing. For some of the wounded veterans who participated, it was the first opportunity to get outdoors since returning home from duty. Participants must have a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or greater from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs or be a Purple Heart recipient. Areas of Florida State Forests dedicated to this effort are fully equipped to accommodate the needs of wounded veterans, providing a unique opportunity for recreation and rehabilitation. All funding for the hunts is generated through private donations. Veterans participate at no charge. For more information on Operation Outdoor Freedom, go to OperationOutdoorFreedom.com. For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visitFreshFromFlorida.com.

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