Stars and Stripes Fishing Tournament Helps Combat Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 2012 -- The Stars & Stripes Charity Fishing Tournament -- held June 20 and 22 -- brought many different industries together to fish with injured combat veterans and support the non-profit group Rivers of Recovery. The tournament raised $87,500 and provided a unique opportunity for DC-based corporations and various industry associations to support the rehabilitation of combat veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress, mild traumatic brain injury and other psychological and physical wounds of war.

EADS North America was the title sponsor of the charity fly fishing tournament in Washington, D.C. that benefited national nonprofit Rivers of Recovery's rehabilitation programs for Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans. Other tournament sponsors included Walmart, Genentech, Raytheon, Altria, ExOfficio, National Beer Wholesalers of America, American Trucking Associations, Northrop Grumman and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.

The tournament began on Wednesday, June 20, with a pre-event reception with congressional leaders and tournament participants at the Cannon House Office Building. The fishing tournament occurred Friday, June 22, in Annapolis, Md., with a special closing ceremony and party at the Annapolis Maritime Museum that evening. All proceeds from the event benefited Rivers of Recovery and will help cover the costs of sending wounded veterans through their rehabilitation program.

"The need for effective rehabilitation programs to support wounded warriors is widely understood," said Sean O'Keefe, Chairman and CEO of EADS North America, "The goal of the Stars & Stripes Charity Fishing Tournament was to help direct support to an organization that has a proven track record for helping these heroes recover from their injuries."

Dan T. Cook, Founder and Executive Director of Rivers of Recovery shared, "The money raised through the Stars & Stripes Charity Fishing Tournament will have a real impact on our organization. This event will help provide necessary scholarships to our veteran participants, allowing them to experience our unique rehabilitation program at no cost to them and helping us get closer to our goal of helping 1,000 veterans. We are truly grateful to EADS for taking a leadership role in addressing the needs of our nation's wounded warriors."

Rivers of Recovery is an innovative, national non-profit that utilizes outdoor-based activities to effectively treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety in combat veterans and active duty military. The organization has achieved national media attention for its unique programs and results-driven treatments, which combine outdoor activities such as fishing and rafting with a medically-designed curriculum of therapeutic techniques.

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