SGT. ROBERT CARRIGAN, of St. Helens, came down to the Ridgefield area on Sunday to participate in the Operation Salmon Salute. Carrigan, who is in the U.S. Army Reserves, shows off his catch of the day.
DION HESS, of Ridgefield, organizer of the Operation Salmon Salute event, stands with Vancouver City Council Member Alishia Topper and Hayden Hunzeker, 7, of Ridgefield. Hunzeker made a poster to welcome back the veterans as they returned to shore with their catches.
A GROUP OF CHILDREN with flags and posters stand at the shore to welcome back veterans as they returned from fishing all day during the Operation Salmon Salute event.
AFTER FISHING ALL day on the Columbia River, veterans were treated to a cookout of hot dogs, burgers and other fare. Several public officials also spoke, thanking the vets for their service.
RIDGEFIELD — About 140 veterans and 50 sponsors ventured out on the Columbia River during the early morning hours of Sunday, June 26, to take part in Operation Salmon Salute, a veterans-appreciation fishing outing.
This event, which is in its fifth year, saw its best turnout yet this year. At about 5:30 a.m., vets, sponsors and more than 30 guided fishing boats headed out on the river to catch some fish.
Participants returned around 2 p.m. to weigh what they caught, enjoy a cookout of hot dogs and burgers, and hear from a few public officials, including Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow, U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Larry Smith, a former Vancouver City Council member.
Dion Hess, of Ridgefield, was the lead organizer of Operation Salmon Salute, and is a member of the military appreciation committee.
Vets who were returning to the shore after a long day of fishing on Sunday were greeted by groups of children and bystanders who welcomed them back.
