Operation Anacapa honors Veterans, First Responders, and Gold Star family members
BY Bob Semerau
Western Outdoor News Staff Writer
OXNARD —CISCOS Landing had five boats loaded up early September 11th, with military veterans, first responders, and Gold Star family members, for a day of excitement on the water. Along with those who served, sponsors and volunteers joined in the fun to make the day complete.
Operation Anacapa is one of the best outings for Mission F.I.S.H. with everything free for participants, from rod rental and fishing license to a full day fishing and processing the catch at day’s end. This 11th iteration was the organization’s largest event to date for veterans, active-duty military, first responders and Gold Star family members with 175-anglers participating.
Thursday evening, prior to the day on the water, participants were invited to join volunteers and sponsors for a Meet and Greet at Pizza Man Dan’s in Port Hueneme. The opportunity to spend time with everyone involved brought out dozens for the festivities to enjoy pizza and soft drinks provided by Mission F.I.S.H.
Since inception in 2015, the group has planned several trips, taking participants for a day of Fishing, Interacting, Sharing, and Healing. This year, Mission F.I.S.H. arranged for a team-lead to be aboard each of the five boats to assist with fishing or other questions that might arise.
The boats loaded up just after 7:00 a.m., heading off to each skipper’s best option for fish. Speed Twin ran offshore a short while, stopping to make bait. Turner Outdoorsman Oxnard manager, Mike Armenta, helped the deck crew set up Sabiki rigs and everybody got busy catching sardines and perfectly-sized mackerel. With a good number of fresh baits in the tank Capt. Chad moved off to drop anchor at a zone loaded with yellowtail for some excellent results
The meaning of the acronym F.I.S.H. in Mission F.I.S.H. tells the mission it was founded on: Fishing, Interacting, Sharing and Healing. These outings are about being on the water, catching fish, and sharing stories.
“We are here to offer a helping hand to anyone that is suffering,” says Mission F.I.S.H. president Barber, a resilient survivor of PTSD himself, the result of his years of Military Service in the Marine Corps.
“Our goal is to not only help the returning and active-duty veterans, but first responders, and Gold-Star family members as well. “Sometimes we all feel helpless and uneasy. When those feelings become all-consuming and begin to take a toll on an individual’s daily life it can lead to horrific results.”
Traumatic events in the performance of one’s duties serving in the military, or as a first responder, frequently cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. PTSD often goes untreated and unresolved, impacting the individual and the whole family. Gold-Star family members, those having lost loved ones through traumatic events while in service, can carry those scars as well.
One participating group, known as The Veteran Mentoring Project, spearheaded by James Espinoza, works to head off the epidemic of suicide in post-service veterans by mentorship with career and life coaching. James lost his brother, a retired Army Colonel, to suicide, which led him to found VMP in 2021. The Veteran Mentoring Project can be reached through their website www.thevmpi.org or by calling 805-387-4492.
While fishing continued, at a set time the boats paused in the action to honor those veterans and first responders who have given their full measure or have been lost to tragic suicide from trauma due to their service.
At 11:11 a.m. the colors were flown, and a moment of silence was observed. The time is representative of the 22-veterans of military service who commit suicide each day. With the efforts of volunteers like those working with Mission F.I.S.H. and organizations like the Veteran Mentoring Project, it’s hoped relief can be attained for those who suffer.
As the boats returned to fishing, anglers found the right combination to bag yellowtail and rockfish of assorted variety, and some sizable sheephead.
Returning about 4:00 p.m. the anglers off-loaded from the boats and headed to the nearby park and a dinner of tacos and dinks while raffle prizes were awarded.
Each year Mission F.I.S.H. grows and expands the effort to reach out, helping those in need. Fishing gives the effort a platform which allows them to bring those at risk together for interaction and conversation toward a better, more secure life.
“Seeing the effort payoff when veterans, first responders, and Gold-Star family members come out, along with their families, makes it all worthwhile. We will be here for them in the years to come with even more exciting trips.”
