A Father’s Day on the Water – The Spence Family’s Trip 

When we work with past or present service members, there’s always this full-circle feeling of appreciation. Every trip is different, but they all remind me of the sacrifices not only made by the person who serves but also by the entire family. Civilians sometimes lose sight of that. When you sign up for the military, you sign up for a lifestyle, and ownership—deployments, moving every few years, the brotherhood, and the toll it takes on your body. But the spouses and kids? They didn’t exactly sign up, yet they live it too. 

Black Dagger Group Four Family: A Tribute to Resilience and Connection 

This past December, the Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation collaborated with Black Dagger Military Hunt Club and Misty Wells from "Let’s Take It Outside" and "A Reel Future" to turn fishing dreams into reality. Despite challenges from a late hurricane season and unexpected changes, we managed to create unforgettable memories for veterans and their families, showcasing the healing power of the ocean, camaraderie, and the beauty of the Florida Keys. 

Black Dagger Group Four Family: A Tribute to Resilience and Connection 

This past December, the Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation collaborated with Black Dagger Military Hunt Club and Misty Wells from "Let’s Take It Outside" and "A Reel Future" to turn fishing dreams into reality. Despite challenges from a late hurricane season and unexpected changes, we managed to create unforgettable memories for veterans and their families, showcasing the healing power of the ocean, camaraderie, and the beauty of the Florida Keys. 

Black Dagger Group Four Family: A Tribute to Resilience and Connection 

This past December, the Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation collaborated with Black Dagger Military Hunt Club and Misty Wells from "Let’s Take It Outside" and "A Reel Future" to turn fishing dreams into reality. Despite challenges from a late hurricane season and unexpected changes, we managed to create unforgettable memories for veterans and their families, showcasing the healing power of the ocean, camaraderie, and the beauty of the Florida Keys. 

BLACK DAGGER GROUP 3: A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FOR MILITARY COUPLES

2024 brought an unusual Hurricane Season, with storms developing late into the year. The west coast of Florida faced significant devastation, and while recovery was underway, students in the area had to make up for lost school days. This unexpected schedule shift disrupted plans Misty Wells and her organization, A Reel Future, had set up for foster kids to enjoy winter break fishing trips with us in the Keys. Misty, a dedicated advocate for outdoor adventures, quickly pivoted to salvage the plans.

Black Dagger Group 2 Recap

The 2024 hurricane season was unusually active, with storms forming late in the year. Florida’s west coast endured significant damage, and while recovery efforts were underway, many kids had to make up missed school days. This directly impacted our plans. Misty Wells from Let’s Take It Outside and A Reel Future, who had previously hosted foster kids on fishing trips with us, had planned another round during winter break. But with school rescheduled, those plans had to be adjusted.

Late Hurricane Season, New Connections, and Memorable Fishing Trips

The 2024 hurricane season delivered its challenges, with storms developing unusually late in the year. Florida's west coast faced significant impacts, leaving communities working hard to regain a sense of normalcy. For many children, this meant making up for missed school days.

But what does that have to do with us? Everything!

Our family bonded on this trip. My kids talked about how much fun they had, and my wife and I got closer. She teared up after the trip and said we are in a good space right now, and it feels great. It was heartwarming. To the sponsors of the Jose Wejebe Foundation, Thank you as well. Your donations could save a Veteran’s Life. Being out on that water fishing was so therapeutic.

Paola was enlisted in the Army with four deployments over her career from 2002-2015 to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jose was so pumped for this trip from the moment I called him. “Thank you so much for doing this for me and my family!”