Honoring our troops
Local angler dedicates circuit to American forces

Courtesy photo BROOKELAND NATIVE ELTON LUCE JR. is dedicating his 2007 tournament season to raising awareness of the needs of military families serving in the United States Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces Foundation, a non-profit military organization in Washington, DC, is proud to announce that Elton Luce, Jr., an angler from Brookeland, and an eleven-year veteran of the B.A.S.S. Tournament Circuit, will dedicate his 2007 tournament season to raising awareness of the needs of military families serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Elton has pledged to the Armed Forces Foundation a donation of $1.00 per pound for every bass that he weighs in while competing in any B.A.S.S. tournament. Elton's sponsors are Bass Cat Boats, Mercury Marine, Motorguide, Mizmo Baits, Shakespeare, Pflueger Reels, All Star Rods, Lowrance Electronics and Spotsticker Baits. Two of which- Bass Cat Boats and Mizmo Baits- will match his pledge for this great cause. Elton also challenges each Elite Series Touring Pro to "come on board" and pledge to our troops. He hopes that every Angler throughout the United States and abroad will come together to help, showing that "Anglers Do Care" about our men and women serving and sacrificing for our great country and it's freedom.

"We are very proud to be working with Elton in raising money and awareness of the foundation and its mission. We want to have the ability to help as many active duty, reserve, retired, patients, National Guardsmen, and their families as possible," said Armed Forces Foundation President, Patricia Driscoll. "It is because of folks like Elton that we are able to raise the funds necessary to help our military community in need."

Luce chose the Armed Forces Foundation over other groups because of their proven quick assistance to all military branches, including veterans and military families.

Because anglers around the country are becoming more aware of the foundation, donations can be made and tagged as "Anglers Do Care" as part of the donation process online in the comment box. Once the Elite Series are over the website will highlight the grand total donated on behalf of the sport of angling.

The Armed Forces Foundation, which was established as a registered non-profit in 2001, works to promote the morale, welfare, and quality of life of the Unites States Armed Forces community. Since its birth, the foundation has given away over a million dollars for programs such as the Armed Forces Foundation Career Counseling Program, Housing Assistance Program, Family Bereavement Assistance, Classic Outdoors Sports Program, Hilary Duff Partnership, plus many more.