BVA’s own Marlene Davis-Lilly, Deputy National Service Director, member of the Captain Buddy Spivey Razorback Regional Group and Chapter Coordinator of Central Arkansas Team River Runner, schedules regular kayak events for area blinded veterans beginning in April of every year. This year was different, however, due to the theft of 12 kayaks and other essential gear.

“We had an event programmed for the month of April to teach our blinded veterans of Memphis how to kayak and self-rescue,” Marlene said. “This event had to be rescheduled for May 10 to give us time to get our gear replenished.”

Marlene always does what she can to keep veterans and their caregivers engaged and active. Despite the setback, she and her husband, Hurtis Lilly, arranged a replacement activity for April 13, a fishing derby that featured not only fishing but a complete lunch of pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, and sweet tea prepared by Hurtis himself and served by a group of new volunteers. Michael Dobbs, Chief of Volunteer Service within the Central Arkansas Healthcare System, supplied the fishing reels while the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provided the bait.