KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Halibut derby gives back
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by Lars Peterson
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Seward, Alaska - In an effort to give back to those who've served in Irag and Afghanistan two Alaska buisnessmen have spawned a halibut derby.
Keith Manternach, owner of Specialy Truck & Auto in Anchorage and Bob Candopoulos, owner of Saltwater Safari in Seward will hold the Inauguaral Armed Services Combat Fishing Tournament May 23rd and 24th.
The goal of the derby is to give 60 combat hardened soldiers a free day of fishing in a show of their appreciation for America's men and women.
"They deserve more than any of us are getting paid and they get the least," said Manternach who is heading up the business side of things for the tournament.
Manternach and Candopoulos thought of the tournament in January. After calling around to various businesses around the state to help sponsor the event they were pleasantly surprised by the amount of support.
"The whole reason we're doing this is to show the troops how proud we are of what they're doing and the sacrifices they make for us," said Candopoulos. "But we're also very proud of Alaska. Because people from Seward, from Homer, from all over the state, businesses from all over Anchorage, from all over the state have just stepped up incredibly to support this."
The goal of Manternach and Candopoulos is to make the fishing tournament an annual event.
For more information on how you can contribute or volunteer, contact Mari Jo Imig at (907) 552-9622.
