Greetings everyone,

For those that need introduction, my name is John Koenig (AKA "JohnnyCoho" on the fishing boards out there) owner of "John's Guide Service" a full time fishing and hunting guide here in WA now for very close to 20 years.

For those of you don't already know me, I was taught at a very young age that success shouldn't be measured by the amount of money you earn or the man dying with the most toys wins... it's how your'e remembered, the legacy you leave behind, the lives you touch in a positive manner along the way and how you serve your fellow man. I was also raised to serve my country and my community not as a duty but as an honor and a way of life and hope to continue in that service for many years to come.

Besides being a full time guide I am also a volunteer firefighter, search and rescue volunteer and both a paid and volunteer wrestling coach serving my community and local school district. For some time I have been looking for ways to continue my service to my country after serving my own time in the military during "Operation Desert Storm"... That is until I found out about the "Wounded Warriors In Action" organization.

This past winter I was appointed Washington State Associate and Field Coordinator for "Wounded Warriors In Action". Established in 2007, the Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation (WWIA) is a national 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization headquartered in Apollo Beach Florida. The WWIA is dedicated to serving our nation's combat wounded, Purple Heart recipients, by providing them world-class outdoor sporting activities.
These men and women are our Nation’s most treasured asset and these trips provide excellent opportunities to assist our wounded veterans in recovering – mentally, physically, and spiritually from their war experiences. We just want them to enjoy their experience in the great outdoors and worry about nothing.

For the 2012 season I have already committed myself to providing WWIA with two trips this summer and am already in talks of more trips coming for the fall of 2012 and for the 2013 season as well. I can't do all this alone though and am asking for some help in honoring our countries combat wounded heroes in helping cover some of the costs of food and lodging for our warriors stay with us.
Please check our web sites newest WWIA page for any and all information on the two trips we already have planned this coming summer. We could use your help; http://www.johns-guide-service.com/WWIA.html We are very close to covering all the costs involved for our first trip with our warriors in June here and just to make sure with the huge help of some local small business' we should all be familiar with like;
- Ted's Sport Center
- Three Rivers Marine
- Holiday Market
- Lamiglas Rods
..... And others, we will be raffling off several high quality rod and reel combos, fishing tackle and more. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. You can buy them ahead of time or at the "Benefit Chili Feed" we will be holding for our warriors on June 9th, 2012 from 2:00PM to 6:00PM at "Howard Miller Steelhead Park" on the Skagit River here in Rockport... you do not need to be present to win.
Cost at the door for the Benefit Chili Feed is $5.00 per person for a bowl of chili, cornbread, a drink and great camaraderie with our combat wounded warriors. We will also be holding a live auction during the Chili Feed for other items such as guided fishing trips with other well known and established area fishing guides.

For more information on how you can purchase your raffle tickets and help this very worthy cause please contact us personally;

John and Corrina Koenig
John's Guide Service
PO BOX 727
Concrete, WA. 98237
(360) 853-9801
Website: www.johns-guide-service.com
Email: johnsguidesvc@hotmail.com

To other guides and those in the fishing and hunting industry that would like to help and donate their time, services or products to this very worthwhile cause here in the Washington State area please contact us as well!! We'd love for you to get involved in something we are already passionate about.

Thanks All!!

Count me in Johnny, I will send a check to you and Corrina-
I think we will be up there the following weekend (Fathers Day)


Jeffro

I can donate a north end sturgeon trip , I can take up to 4 . Stilly or snoho , your (theyre) choice , June - Sept
Specialtguideservice

Left a check with Mike at Ted's for this great cause. Thanks for doing this.

I'm in.......gr8 cause!!

Check on the way.

Johnny, get ahold of me about either getting you some gear to use on your donated trips, or some gear for your auction...or both.

Fish on...

Todd

When did you serve and what was your mos ?

Peace
Fly

Thanks Jeffro!! Every bit helps and look forward to seeing you guys again this coming Fathers Day!

Thanks Big T!! Email me your info and I'll contact you in a few weeks and we'll work out some scheduling.

Thank You very much "Achewter", "Slab Happy" and "laterun" !! Hope to see you all at the Benefit Chili Feed and raffle at Howard Miller on the 9th!! Some really great stuff donated for the raffle!!!

Todd, drop me an email with your #... Seems I must have an old number for you or something. Would love to get some more great stuff for the raffle!! Thanks Brotha!!

Superfly, Not about me Brotha... about our wounded heroes. Messaging you my MOS anyways.

John, I sent you my current number...and a note about what I can do to help. Good on you for doing this.

Fish on...

Todd

thank you for the great motivational post.

Our Wounded Warriors In Action (WWIA) event was a huge success and I would like to give a huge heart felt thank you to all those that helped make this event possible for our combat wounded heroes. We sent WWIA Founder John McDaniel back home with $2500.00 plus in donated money to help pay for this trip and other future trips.
We would like to give a very special thank you to the following people and organizations for the extra dedication and time they gave to this event and our heroes;
- Concrete Mayor Judd Wilson and family
- Concrete Lions Club Member Larry Mosbey
- Concrete Lions Club Member Jim Parker
- Concrete Lions Club
- Concrete American Legion
- WA Cafe and Bakery, Concrete, WA
- Albert's Red Apple Market, Concrete, WA
- Perks, Concrete, WA
- Sissy Bar at Eagles In Flight, Concrete, WA
- Cascade Supply, Concrete, WA
- Lamiglas Fishing Rods, Woodland, WA
- Ted's Sport Center, Lynwood, WA
- Three River Marine, Woodinville, WA
- Holiday Sports, Burlington, WA
- Outdoor Adventures, Concrete, WA
- Paul and Kris Whitewood
- Bob Sturdivant
- Cal Stocking of "Cause for Divorce Guide Service"
- The Outdooor Line show on 710 ESPN Radio and Bob Ball's Piscatorial Persuits fishing board for helping us get the word out for this great event.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and the WWIA Foundation.

We will be hosting another Wounded Warriors In Action (WWIA) event this coming August and will be holding another raffle to raise money to pay for the 5 day event this time. We will have some great hunting items in this raffle and some custom made WWIA cigars as well.

To other guides and outfitters out there I am starting to put together our WWIA NW Events schedule for the next year and if you would like to donate a trip to this great organization please email me with trip details, how many Purple Heart combat heroes you would can take and best time for this trip.

Once again Thank You from the bottom of my heart!!

John I will be willing to donate a trip Summer Steelhead Fishing on the Columbia River out of Cathlamet Washington or a date at B-10 up to 5 for either location.

Contact Mike at:
MK Sport Fishing
253-375-2110

John, sorry i missed this one.
Want to donate on the next one. will be looking for your post on when to send in.
thanks for doing this. I will spread the word around to other Vets i know.