MN Department of Veterans Affairs
mn.gov/mdva
April is National Volunteer Month and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has plenty to celebrate this month and throughout the year. MDVA is grateful for the many volunteers from across the state who regularly give their time and talents to the eight Minnesota Veterans Homes.
Since 2010, Navy Veteran Rick Iszlar and a group of friends known as Legacy Lake Fishing volunteers provide weekly opportunities for Residents of the Silver Bay Veterans Home to fish a private trout pond near Finland, MN from June through September.
The group continues this tradition in honor of their friend Larry Schanno, who passed away in 2017. Larry owned the land where the pond was established and wanted it to be his legacy. In 2013, Larry invited Rick, plus Bob and Dianne Buus, to become the board of directors for the group to ensure it would continue to be shared with others to enjoy. Today, Rick maintains the pond, plus storage and surrounding areas, and cleans the fish the Veterans catch.
Over the years, the pond has been upgraded with additional support from local organizations, including asphalt that makes it easier for Residents in wheelchairs to navigate. A telescoping flagpole that flies the American and POW flags, featuring a solar panel to ensure the flags are illuminated at night, was also added. Each fishing day with Residents begins facing the flag while the national anthem is played.
“We try to catch and release as much as we can but keep some of the fish. Those fish are then smoked and brought back as a snack for those fishing the following week,” says Rick. “There’s lots of socializing. They can enjoy the outdoors, and we can see the joy in their eyes and smiles.”
