In 1991 our community lost an Echo/Woodlake Graduate to Operation Desert Storm.  His name was Stephen Bentzlin.  He was KIA on the 29th day of January 1991.  As Lance Peterson stood by one of the Marine Honor Guard, he made a promise to that Marine that someday he would do something special in Stephen’s honor and for fellow Veterans.  Many years went by an Lance hadn’t thought of what to do but one night while at Arneson’s Rocky Point on Lake Of The Woods he went down by the water and sat looking at the stars above the water and he thought to himself “how many Veterans were looking at those same stars at the same time?”  That’s when the idea came to him that he wanted to take them to this beautiful place.  He wanted to not only thank them for their service but to make it a place for Veterans to mingle with other Veterans.  So, in 2015 him and his wife started planning for a trip in July to take Veterans on an all-expense fishing trip on this beautiful lake.  Since 2015 there have been close to 200 Veterans who have been able to participate in this wonderful event.  In 2019 Lance and his wife Tammy formed a board consisting of 7 total members and we named our organization “Warriors & Walleyes Outdoors”.  30+ of our personal friends bring their boats and donate their equipment and knowledge to this beautiful body of water to show these men and women the meaning of a fishing trip of a lifetime!

Once in a Lifetime Experience

Lake of the Woods

If you would like to donate.  Please donate to the following address.  Thank you in advance for your donation!

250 2nd Ave 

Wood Lake, MN 56297

Chris Iseminger

I met Lance 2 years ago at a veteran event and he mentioned to me about Warrior and Walleyes Outdoors. He needed to fill a spot for his event at Lake of the Woods so I and my father accepted. This event and organization has helped me in many ways. I didnt feel judged and when I am around other veterans your at peace. We all have been there done that, some more than others. Lance, Tammy and the board have done a fabulous job with this organization and never a dull moment.

Thank you for all you guys do for us Veterans!!

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