3rd Widows and Warriors salmon derby is next week

The third annual Warriors and Widows Salmon Derby returns next Wednesday and Thursday, with a new twist--more time on the river.

In years past, participants got to go fishing for a few hours on one day. Now they go out for two.

More than 50 participants are expected, including soldiers and emergency personnel, and five Gold Star families from the Warrior Transition Battalion at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Local community members are volunteering boats, equipment, expertise, and time to take the visitors out on the river to try and catch a fish on Wednesday and Thursday. For some of the visitors, it will be the first time they’ve ever gone fishing.

There will be a big salmon dinner and awards ceremony on Wednesday, with lots of fun planned for all involved. On Thursday, they will go back out on the river, and return later for a pizza party before they head home.