Montague bikes have a strong history with the military. Our current frame design was developed under a grant from DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in order to provide the United States Marine Corps with a folding mountain bike that could fit through airplane doors. Thus, the Montague Paratrooper was born.
A few weeks ago, Operation Injured Soldiers (OIS) held a fishing tournament on the Great Lakes for returned veterans. In addition to prizes for the top fish, a raffle was held for a donated Montague Paratrooper. Bill Schrader, owner of Personalized Marine in Detroit, MI and retailer of Montague bikes was on hand to coordinate the raffle and present the prize. Bill is retired from 33 years of service in the U.S. Army Military Police & U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue.
Operation Injured Soldiers (OIS) has helped thousands of soldiers who continue to struggle with a variety of physical and psychological/emotional issues as they face re-entry into society. OIS offers many programs to our returning veterans, one of which is a fishing program. This program gives injured soldiers free chartered great lakes fishing. Guided by captain and crew, these men and women feel the support of fellow veterans, who are bound by the shared experience of war, injury and the difficulties of re-entry into everyday life. On the water their struggle is forgotten, the burden is lifted and the simple pleasure and excitement of reeling in that musky, salmon, sturgeon or walleye is all that matters. This year, overcast skies and winds stirring up 4 ft. rollers on Lake St. Clair made this day of musky fishing quite challenging. Many vets were first time boaters and Dramamine was in short supply. Regardless, 16 charter boats filled with veterans and active duty soldiers were relentless in their search for the elusive monster musky. At the end of the day, top honors went to a Vietnam Air Force veteran who hooked a 49 inch musky!
The fishing wrapped up mid afternoon with all military personnel, charter captains and crew coming back to the Detroit Yacht Club to share stories, celebrate victories, enjoy dinner and participate in the much anticipated free Montague Bike raffle. As the excitement built, the Montague Paratrooper bike was won by a veteran who served in Iraq.
Bill Schrader (left) presenting the Montague Paratrooper to the raffle winner.
We are very happy to partner with Operation Injured Soldiers to help veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect the country we call home. Please take the time to look at the OIS web site and see what OIS does for veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. www.injuredsoldiers.org.
