Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Brighton-based Veterans Connected held its annual “Tip Up for Troops” event at Kensington Metropark last weekend.

Across the state, many other veterans spent the day fishing bringing in thousands of fish.

This marked the 20th anniversary of Tip Up for Troops, which Veterans Connected took over in 2021 from Faith Living Outdoors and partnered with Camp Liberty.

The morning started at 6AM with registration, coffee and partnering up veterans with Michigan bass Nation boaters to spend the morning on the lake.

Officials said the goal is to give veterans tips, tricks, and maybe a new hobby that can help them spend their time and potentially reduce PTSD; as well as “the skyrocketing suicide rate of 44 veterans a day one every 32 minutes”.

Some veterans on site were ones that they have worked with or are working with currently - including one who was found living under a bridge just a few weeks ago. Veterans Connected said it has been supporting the need of a vehicle for that veteran so he can have sustainable employment. There was a vehicle presented to a veteran at the event, but there is a need for another veteran.

Veterans Connected said it’s reaching out to other veteran organizations and the public and asking people contact their state senators and representatives to allow free fishing for the entire month of June for veterans in the state. If there could be multiple weekends for events across the state, the non-profit said “the reach and impact in the reduction of veterans suicide could be greatly impacted if allowed to happen for the entire month”.

Veterans Connected was voted by USA Today as one of the top three charities in April 2025 for the metropolitan Detroit area. Started in 2019, the all-volunteer board has provided over $750,000 in support to veterans and their families to date.

More information is available in the provided link.