Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

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Come out and have a fun day at Sky Meadows State Park's Turner Pond while giving to a worthy cause on June 11.

You are invited to come to Sky Meadows State Park for our second annual Fish for B.A.S.S. (Brave American Servicemen and Servicewomen) fishing tournament on June 11, 2016. 

There will be prizes, free food, live music, balloon animals and crafts for the kids, and more. A $10 donation enters you into the contest, and all the money raised will be donated to Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 9 of Winchester, Virginia. 

Bring the whole family, and kids can fish for free at the Fish for B.A.S.S. tournament at Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia

Bring the whole family, kids can fish for free!

You may wonder how Sky Meadows State Park got involved with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization. Let me tell you about the first DAV meeting I attended and you will see what a worthy group DAV is, and I hope you will want to help, too.

      When I walked into that first meeting last year, I felt a little awkward sitting down in the room full of retired members of the armed forces. I have never been in the military or experienced the military way of life but I soon relaxed as I listened to the friendly banter of DAV members entering the meeting room. Their light-hearted jokes made me think of my own uncles and brothers, who would never pass up an opportunity to make someone laugh. The teasing stopped when genuine questions were asked about members who were out sick. One member said he stopped by the sick man’s house, another said, "I'll give him a call." Then the joking resumed. 

     In another corner, a certified service officer (CSO) asked a member about an application in the Veterans Affairs system. The member replied he hasn’t heard anything in weeks. The CSO responded that he’d call up the Veterans Affairs and see what’s going on. I thought about how valuable it is to have someone that can help veterans get through the complicated bureaucracy to receive the benefits promised to them for their service to our nation.

DAV officers prepare for meeting

Commander Lovette and Mr. Bulley prepare for the DAV meeting 

     At 7:00 p.m. the meeting was called to order in military style with a salute to the flag, a prayer, and roll call. During the meeting, I listened to the stories of several veterans that DAV had assisted. They helped one veteran get a car so she could get to work. Another veteran needed help paying for heating oil during the winter months. They found out that one veteran was living in her car, and DAV put her in a hotel until she could get on her feet. The stories went on and on. They say the military is a big family, brothers in arms, the DAV members proved to me that this saying is true. 

     After that meeting, I wanted to help the DAV family as much as possible, and Sky Meadows State Park wanted to do something to honor our veterans. So, we decided to host an event that would benefit DAV, and one the whole community could get involved in. DAV is a well-respected organization with nearly 100 years of experience. It is a completely volunteer run organization which means the money you give will go right to veterans. You can help us give DAV the resources it needs to assist and honor Veterans right here in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and have fun doing it. 

Fish for B.A.S.S. (Brave American Servicemen and Servicewomen)

June 11, 2016  10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Bring your Virginia fishing license, fishing poles, and $10 donation to enter the contest. Kids can fish for free. But don't forget your hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. This is an outdoor event.

There will be prizes, live music, free food, balloon animals and crafts for the kids, and a great day to enjoy being outside at the pond.

A special thank you to our partners and sponsors: Boy Scout Troop 2 of Winchester, Bear's Trading Post of Winchester, Blue Ridge Remodeling of Loudoun County, Eagle Electric of Winchester, and Jake's Bait and Tackle Shop of Winchester. We appreciate their support.

Beautiful Turner Pond at Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia

Turner Pond at Sky Meadows State Park is pretty as a picture

For more information about Fish for B.A.S.S. or other events and programming at Sky Meadows State Park, please contact the Visitor Center at (540) 592-3556 or email the park here

For directions to Sky Meadows State Park click here, or for information about overnight camping at Virginia State Parks click here.

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

COMMENT

Joan Blankenship (May 29, 2016 09:13:36 PM): B.A.S.S. Registered trademark of Bandmaster organization Interesting.

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