FISHING STORIES: VETERANS WHO FOUGHT `BVIG ONES' OUT TO CATCH THE `BIG ONES'

The guys who fought the "Big Ones" are out to catch the "big ones."

World War II veterans, joined by comrades from World War I, Korea and Vietnam, are given the opportunity to swap not only military stories but fish stories as a part of one of the many recreational programs offered by the Missouri Veterans Home at Cape Girardeau.

"We're pleased we can offer the veterans these opportunities," said Ken Lipps, supervisor of volunteer services at the facility. Thanks to owners of some area lakes near the home and to the home's many dedicated volunteers, veterans regularly can enjoy hours of fishing and companionship.

Veterans fish Grossheider Lakes, VFW Lake, Elks Lake and a lake owned by Cape Girardeau developer Bob Drury. "These are in addition to the county lakes at Cape County Park," said Lipps. "Fishing opportunities are offered two to three times a month."

This is just one of many activities offered to the 141 residents at the facility at the intersection of Highway 61 and Interstate 55.

"This month we're looking at a trip to Advance to see the new military memorial, which was recently installed there," said Jane Slaten, a certified recreational therapist in the recreational department. "The veterans will have a chance to see the memorial and then spend some time at the Advance Masonic Hall where they will be served lunch."

The Advance Memorial, a two-year project, was dedicated on Memorial Day of this year. It includes a center monument, 7 feet, 4 inches high, and 4 feet wide; and six other monuments, each 6 feet tall, which contain the names of veterans from the Advance area.

"We'll also be taking a group to the Missouri Race Park at Benton later this month," said Slaten, who added that the facility had a complete schedule of special events designed so that all veterans could take part.

"We have spelling bees, word games, sing-a-longs, bingo, theme parties, cards and other games," she said. "We also provide various activities featuring woodworking, ceramics and leather crafts. All of these activities and much more is provided at the facility."

Lipps said, "We have great cooperation from various clubs, organizations and individual volunteers. We couldn't survive out here without our volunteers." More than 20,000 volunteer hours were recorded at the facility during the past year.

The facility is designed to care for 150 residents.

"We have 141 veterans here, and eight more are already scheduled to come," said Lipps. "With the eight new residents, our waiting list has dwindled to almost none.

"Our primary goal is to get people back into the main stream," said Lipps. "Some of the veterans who have been here have returned to their homes."

Requirements for eligibility at the facility include being a resident of Missouri, a veteran with an honorable discharge, and a need for long-term care.

"The fishing outings are the most popular activities we have," said Lipps. "A lot of the veterans really look forward to these outings. This week we took 12 veterans to the Bob Drury Lake, and they had a great outing."

Most of the veterans use the "catch-and-release" system, but some of the fish are kept, and will be on the menu for a big fish fry at the facility this fall.

"Some of the volunteers who accompany the veterans clean the fish," said Lipps.

The next fishing trip is scheduled for Aug. 20.

As with most anglers, fishing stories abound when the veterans get together.

"Did you see that big one that broke my line last week?" asked Elvis "Hap" Goodman, a World War I veteran. "The line we use is only 5- or 6-pound test. I had this big carp near the bank when it snapped my line."

Goodman of Scott City also gets some extra fishing time in occasionally. "My grandson will stop by and take me," he said. "Last week we tried one of the county park lakes. We caught a lot of small perch there."

"I like to fish," says Goodman. "I tell folks that I've been doing it for more than 80 years." Goodman, who has passed his 98th birthday, helps out in the garden at the facility, and still goes home on occasion to work in his own garden.

Goodman, who said he was a "railroader" for 40 years, joined the army in 1916. "I enlisted for seven years," he said. "I served four years active and three in the reserve."

Following his discharge, Goodman started working for the Cotton Belt Railroad. "I worked on the fastest freight train in the country The Cotton Belt Blue Streak," said Goodman, who retired in 1960.

Charles Lincoln is an old hand at fishing at least one of the lakes on the fishing list.

"I used to fish the Grossheider Lakes," said Lincoln, who is a native of Bollinger County in the Marble Hill area. "I've always liked to hunt and fish."

Lincoln, a World War II veteran, spent three years in the army, 1942 to 1945. "I spend 13 months in Africa and 13 months in Italy," he said. "I was in the medical corps. Following service, Lincoln worked several years on a freight dock in St. Louis, and a dozen years at a pottery plant in Jackson.

A third angler in the group is Bill Walker, who admits he was never an avid angler, but likes to toss out a line now.

Walker worked at a number of theaters in Cape Girardeau including the Esquire, Town Plaza and Rialto before retiring.

The fishing group usually goes out during the morning and is back by 11 a.m.

"There are exceptions," said Lipps. "Sometimes a lunch is packed, and the group will stay longer."

The Missouri Department of Conservation provides fishing equipment for the outings, and "we usually have six to 10 volunteers to go along with a couple of the facility's staff members," said Lipps. "We usually try to have a one-on-one ratio with the veterans."