Every day, 22 veterans take their own lives in America. Behind this sobering statistic lies countless stories of struggle, but also hope—like the one unfolding through Fishing for the Mission 22, a nonprofit organization making a real difference in veterans' lives.
A Mission Born from Near Tragedy
I snapped this quick selfie with Harold Skelton, the founder of Fishing for the Mission 22, at the boat launch at Falmouth Harbor right before we departed on the black sea bass tagging trip.
Harold Skelton, the founder of Fishing for the Mission 22, nearly became one of those 22 daily statistics. Facing PTSD and other challenges after military service, his struggle reached a breaking point when he attempted suicide, only to be saved by friends who discovered him in time.
That rescue became Harold's turning point. Rather than becoming another tragic statistic, he transformed his pain into purpose, building a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans in similar circumstances. What started as one man's recovery has grown into a comprehensive support system for veterans in our local community.
The Symbolic Tagging Mission
The crew for our tagging trip! From left to right, tournament sponsor Bruno Demir of Cape & Islands Mitsubishi, Rob Perzan the second Fishing For The Mission 22 captain school graduate, tagging specialist John from the Division of Marine Fisheries, Tim Poerelle of Fishing for the Mission 22, Jeff Hopwood of Maco's Bait & Tackle, and Cullen Lundholm of Cape Star Charters.
On Tuesday, May 27th, I joined Harold's group for a special mission: tagging 22 black sea bass for their annual tournament. Each tagged fish represented one of the 22 veterans our country loses to suicide daily.
The tournament serves as the organization's biggest fundraiser, with substantial prizes for the largest sea bass. Any angler lucky enough to catch a tagged fish wins $1,000! The odds are long with thousands of black sea bass in Massachusetts waters, but the symbolism and excitement of potentially catching one of these fish is what mattered the most.
A Successful Day of Sea Bassing
Captain Cullen's local knowledge proved invaluable, bringing us to productive waters 30 feet deep not far off the Mashpee coastline. The spot was loaded with big black sea bass and scup. Using Black Sea Bass jigs and high-low rigs from Monomoy Tackle, we caught multiple fish at once—some becoming delicious fish tacos later.
Monomoy Tackle's black sea bass rigs produced numerous double headers of keeper-size sea bass during this trip.
Monomoy Tackle's line of slow fall jigs are easy to work throughout the water column and are highly effective on sea bass.
Timing was crucial. When we arrived, the tide was running and the fish were feeding aggressively. As it slacked off during our four-hour trip, action decreased, though we could still see fish on the sonar.
John from the Division of Marine Fisheries tagged all 22 sea bass on board. Rather than releasing them in one spot, we strategically spread them across the Sound and Buzzards Bay, giving tournament participants throughout the area a chance at catching a tagged fish.
John from the Division of Marine Fisheries has experience tagging all sorts of fish species up and down the Massachusetts coast.
Each tag had the "FFTM22" acronym on it (Fishing for the Mission 22) along with an individual identification number.
Tournament Weekend: Battling the Elements
May 30th-June 1st brought challenging conditions that tested participants' determination. While Friday offered good fishing with cooperative weather, Saturday and Sunday saw howling southwest winds reaching 30 knots. The rough seas, particularly in Buzzards Bay, forced many anglers to stay on land. Some participants tried to venture out but quickly turned around when they encountered the treacherous conditions.
Harold understandably felt concerned about the weather's impact on tournament participation. When you're organizing an event that serves as your primary annual fundraiser, you pray for cooperative conditions. Despite these challenges, the tournament pressed forward with approximately 280 participating anglers, and fish were indeed caught and weighed in by those who braved the conditions or found calmer waters.
Awards Ceremony: Celebrating Community and Impact
The tournament culminated on June 1st with a memorable awards ceremony at Railroad Park in Buzzards Bay. The venue's charming veranda provided the perfect setting for what became much more than a typical fishing tournament wrap-up. The Fishing for the Mission 22 Team had arranged catered food for the gathering, and the event featured live music from a local band, creating a festive atmosphere.
Stone Path Malt provided beer service with a tap and professional bartenders, while an impressive array of raffle prizes added excitement to the event. The ceremony drew a substantial crowd of supporters who came to celebrate the event's success and learn about the winners.
The most powerful moments came when people shared deeply personal stories about how Fishing for the Mission 22 had directly impacted their lives. These weren't just testimonials—they were real accounts of how Harold and his organization had provided crucial support when veterans needed it most. The emotional weight of these stories underscored the true purpose behind the tournament.
Bob Motta was the first place winner in this year's black sea bass tournament, taking home a nice $3,000!
Building for the Future
The tournament raised close to $75,000, directly supporting Harold's expanding therapeutic services. This includes bringing licensed therapists on board, and providing help to veterans as they navigate the often-complex VA system to secure the benefits they've earned. The organization also offers canal e-bikes, a charter captain training program, and free fishing trips to veterans as part of their comprehensive approach to healing.
Harold's commitment is evident in his recent purchase of office space at 47 Main Street in Buzzards Bay, providing permanent headquarters for their growing operations.
A Ripple Effect of Hope
Unfortunately none of our 22 tagged fish were caught during the tournament, but the real victory lies in the awareness, support, and community that this tournament creates. Each participant and dollar raised represents another step toward addressing veteran suicide in America.
Fishing for the Mission 22 reminds us that behind every statistic is a human being who deserves support and hope. Through fishing—an activity offering peace and community—Harold's organization is saving lives and building stronger support networks for those who've served our country.
Being included as part of this mission in a small way feels both humbling and inspiring. Organizations like Fishing for the Mission 22 prove that healing is possible, community matters, and sometimes the most powerful battles are won one person, one story, and one fish at a time.
Tight lines! 🎣
Ryan
Get in Touch
If you're a veteran who's struggling, then you can get in touch with Harold and his team by clicking the button below.