Terry and Connie Sympson of Jackson Hill Marina happily report that the campaign to help a former Broaddus, Texas resident and Wounded Warrior to fulfill his dream of fishing bass tournaments has been completed. Patriots Challenge donated the 19 1/2 ft project boat and was helped by local businesses and anglers to help get it back into good working condition. The boat was wrapped in a Patriotic Theme and was ready to hit the water when Brother Wayne Barth Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Broaddus took delivery to drive it to his son William's home for Thanksgiving.
Twenty-nine year old SSGT Ret. William Barth son of Pastor Wayne and Diana Barth of Broaddus was wounded in September of 2006 while driving a heavy wrecker as part of a convoy in Mosul, Iraq. The enemy decided to pull the trigger on an IED just as Barth's vehicle passed over its hiding place. His life was saved by fellow soldiers who quickly placed a tourniquet on his severely injured right leg. He had also sustained injuries to his left forearm and both hands as well as the effects of the blast concussion from the powerful explosive device. Barth was angry, that quickly turned to feelings of embarrassment and disappointment because he was injured after only being deployed for 25 days. He felt that he had let down his buddy's and wanted to get back to his unit.
William was medically evacuated from Iraq to Kuwait and then to Germany. After several surgeries William was flown to Ft. Bragg and then transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for specialty care. After two months of agonizing rehab, and against doctor's advice, was permitted to be redeployed. His sense of duty to his unit, his buddies and his personal pride drove him to two more tours of duty.
During his second tour his knee gave out again and he found himself back at Walter Reed waiting to receive a cadaver replacement knee. William still didn't have enough and during his third tour he volunteered for route clearance of bombs and other hazards putting his personal safety at risk for others.
After returning to Fort Benning in November of 2009 William blew out his knee once again. It was decided that he was unfit for duty and was medically retired from duty on the 20th of March 2012. To date William has endured 32 surgeries and will never fully recover from his injuries.
"When we heard that he was trying to rebuild an old boat to fish in we knew we could help" reported Terry Sympson from Jackson Hill Marina and founder of Patriots Challenge. Patriots Challenge has raised funds to support outdoor access for our military heroes and their families for the past 6 years but this was the first time they took on a project boat. "We knew that we could count on our anglers to make this happen" Sympson added. "Fisherman and outdoor people are the most patriotic people there are. I think that outdoor loving people have a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military for the freedom we all enjoy".
Photos: Ashley and William Barth with their new boat. It took almost one year to raise the money and make the needed repairs before it was ready for delivery.
