The Best She Can Be
By: Art Pasley
One of the first C.A.S.T. events conducted in the Southern Region was held in Monroe City, Missouri. I remember it well. I had been to several events but never as the official representative of C.A.S.T. I thought I would never find my way through north Missouri. The main roads are named with letters and the road I took led me several miles past the small town of Monroe City. Once there, I made a trip to the event site then settled into my room, worried about the outcome of my first solo event.
The following morning, I was greeted by a young woman in full dress U.S. Army Corp of Engineers clothing asking, "Are you Art"? "Hi, I'm Mary Anne" she said with a smile. "We are all looking forward to this. Everyone has worked so hard and I think we are going to have a fun day," she stated. It was obvious that everyone was happy to be a part of the effort to host the C.A.S.T. event. It was the first of several great events and well organized.
I tell you this to bring you to 2005. As I sit writing the report for this years Monroe City event, Mary Anne Heitmeyer is in Dallas receiving the Employee of the Year Award from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. I know you and I may not understand the significance of this but I assure you everyone associated with the Corp of Engineers do. It's the highest honor any of the Engineers can receive and after seeing Mary Anne in action at the last five C.A.S.T. events in Missouri, it's not hard to understand why she was chosen or why the Monroe City C.A.S.T. events have been so successful. Great Job Mary Anne! We are all very proud of you.
With that said, I should let you know that this years C.A.S.T. event was no different than in years past. It was a great day at Mark Twain Reservoir. With 27 disabled children from the surrounding areas, the Mark Twain Bassmasters were paired with their fishing partners and enjoyed another fun day of fishing. I enjoy this event because the same people show up every year to help with the program. They all enjoy being with the kids and sharing their time with each other. I've gotten to know them all very well. A lot of the same participants show up each year to have a great time and everyone leaves with a smile.
As the young anglers returned to the Indian Creek Marina site to enjoy hot dogs and drinks and share stories of great catches, Mary Anne began the awards ceremony and the boaters presented the young anglers a plaque recognizing their efforts for the day. Mary Anne thanked the Mark Twain Bassmasters, all the volunteers and a special thank you to the Leggett & Platt Aluminum Group for their continued support.
I am always impressed with the dedication of the men and woman that host a C.A.S.T. event. They are all working full time jobs as well as planning a C.A.S.T. event with their friends and co-workers. They are the roll models we need in our communities and set the standard for all of us to follow. They are the "Best They Can Be". They are all "Special Thrill Makers". Thanks again Mary Anne and everyone dedicated to providing this and other programs to the children in your areas. You are all "Special People, Helping Special Children, Catch A Special Thrill".
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