By Mike Fuller, Founder of Crystal River Take a Soldier Fishing

I served 12 and a half years on active duty in the U.S. military, including three deployments to Iraq. Like so many of my brothers and sisters in arms, coming home was its own kind of battle. The transition from the structure and camaraderie of military life to the quiet and uncertainty of civilian life can be difficult to navigate. I’ve seen firsthand the toll it can take — the isolation, the loss of purpose, and, tragically, the struggle with mental health and suicide that so many veterans face after service.

During my time in the military, I had the opportunity to participate in a Take a Soldier Fishing tournament in Alaska. It was more than just a day on the water — it was a day of healing. Surrounded by fellow service members, with rods in our hands and laughter in the air, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: peace. The camaraderie, the connection, and the stillness of the outdoors reminded me that sometimes the simplest things — like fishing — can have the deepest impact.

That experience planted a seed in my heart. I realized that our community didn’t have an event like that — something that could bring our local veterans together and give them the same sense of belonging and peace I found that day in Alaska. That’s when Crystal River Take a Soldier Fishing was born.

This organization is more than a one-day tournament. It’s a mission — a way to serve those who have served. We want to be a year-round source of outreach, support, and fellowship for veterans, right here in our own backyard. My vision is to build a place where veterans can come together, share stories, and find the camaraderie we all miss from our time in the military.

My faith plays a big part in everything I do. The Bible tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself” and to serve one another. I can’t think of a better way to serve than by giving back to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms — to help them find peace, purpose, and connection through the outdoors. Fishing might seem simple, but out there on the water, something powerful happens. Walls come down. Hearts open up. Healing begins.

Through Crystal River Take a Soldier Fishing, I want to bridge the gap between the military world and the civilian world — one cast, one conversation, and one life at a time. My hope is that every veteran who joins us walks away reminded that they’re not alone, that they’re valued, and that they still have a place to belong.

We’re not just hosting a fishing tournament; we’re building a lifeline — a community of faith, hope, and brotherhood where veterans can reconnect and find peace in the same waters that bring us back to ourselves.

Mike Fuller is a proud U.S. military veteran who served 12 and a half years on active duty, including three deployments to Iraq. Originally from Cleburne, Texas, Mike moved to Florida in 2019, first settling in Marco Island before making Crystal River his home in 2023. He is the founder of Crystal River Take a Soldier Fishing, a faith-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans through outdoor connection, fellowship, and service. Guided by his Christian faith and a deep belief in loving and serving others, Mike continues to build a community where veterans can find peace, purpose, and camaraderie — one cast at a time.