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Updated: October 1, 2009, 5:03 pm	Share    Print    Email

Ken Freese holds up the trophy he won for catching the heaviest bluefish at the inaugural Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter Memorial Fishing Tournament in Sag Harbor. Photos by Brett Mauser

Sag Harbor - More than 100 fishermen left Long Wharf bright and early on Saturday for the inaugural Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter Memorial Fishing Tournament, which honored the United States Marine from Sag Harbor killed in Iraq in April 2008. Everyone had their fill of food, beverages and good times at the daylong gala back at the dock; however, no one lost sight of why they were there in the first place.

Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter was killed in action while guarding a Marine and Iraqi police compound in Ramadi, Iraq.

"The community has been so supportive," said Haerter's father, Christian. "Anytime any type of event involving Jordan takes place, the community comes out in full force. At times, you think they would get tired of it, but nobody ever seems to. From the moment he was killed until today, they've given full support to us and it means a lot. It makes his death a little bit easier to cope with."

Proceeds from the tournament went toward Building Homes For Heroes and The Wounded Warrior Project. Both are non-profit organizations that provide programs and services for severely wounded and disabled veterans and their families.

Montauk's Rich Nessel reeled in the heaviest striped bass during the one-day event, his top catch weighing in at 28.05 pounds. Nessel and Sag Harbor's Gene Pelland took The Downeaster "Alexa," named after Billy Joel's daughter Alexa Ray Joel, east to Montauk where Nessel has been a lifelong fisherman. They said that the spirit of competition took over as they began their journey from Long Wharf at 6 a.m., but their intention from the beginning was to donate the money back to the cause if they won. They did and they followed through upon being presented with the winner's trophy. Pelland laughed and refused to give out details from their big catch.

"We can't divulge any kind of fishing secrets," he said. "We got a little more than lucky."

Ken Freese won for bringing back the biggest bluefish, a 12.6-pounder. Junior awards were also handed out to the top-ranking youngsters.

The tournament judges (left to right): Steve Turbek, Kevin Mulligan, Chris Carrillo and Joe Bloecker.

Christian Haerter manned the Jordan's Initiative tent, which raised additional funds to provide aid for deployed troops, veterans and their families. Haerter has been bowled over by the community's outpour of support since his son's death.

"[My wife and I] want to make sure that everybody knows how much we appreciate everyone's participation in this event - not just fishermen but the general public who came down to support us," said Haerter. "It's really important for us to keep Jordan's name alive with events like this. He spent a good portion of his life down here on the waterfront, and Sag Harbor was a huge part of him. I think he's smiling at us right now."

The highest-selling auctions in the silent auction were a Billy Joel collection that included a print, 8.5 x 11 photo and 30th anniversary edition of "The Stranger," all signed by the Grammy-winning artist, as well as a print of "For Tomorrow," a painting by Sagaponack resident Vito DeVito. Each package went for $450. Raffle items ranged from foursomes at Long Island National and Island's End, gift certificates to local establishments like B. Smith, Paradise Café, Nichol's Restaurant, and The American Hotel, a 10-pack of tickets to Bay Street Theatre's classic film series, a VIP wine tasting for four at Duck Walk Vineyards, a Citarella gift pack and much more. According to Barbara Herrmann, between 80 and 100 local merchants put up items for the auction and raffle.

Gene Pelland captained the Downeaster Alexa and Rich Nessel reeled in the 28-plus pound striped bass to take first place at the tournament.

"We can't change the fact that it happened but we can certainly memorialize him in the right way and give back to people that he served with and give them what they need to function and lead a quality life," said Herrmann, who helped organize the tournament with her husband Doug, Rich Flood and Mary Ann Steffens.

Flood spoke at length about those who helped make the tournament possible, including Sag Harbor Mayor Brian Gilbride, former mayor Greg Ferraris, Police Chief Tom Fabiano, and many others. "There wasn't a person who was asked to help that didn't help," he said.

Haerter entered the Marine Corps upon his graduation from Pierson High School in 2006. A rifleman in the 1st Battalion 9th Marines, Lance Corporal and Corporal Jonathan Yale of Hardscrabble, VA, were guarding a Marine and Iraqi police compound in Ramadi, Iraq, when they were killed by a suicide bomber last April. Haerter was 19 years old; Yale 21. Haerter received a solemn homecoming upon his return to Sag Harbor; he was buried at the Oakland Cemetery. In February, their families were presented with Navy Cross medals, the second-highest symbols for bravery bestowed upon Marines and sailors, at a ceremony in Quantico, VA.

Flood, Steffens and the Herrmanns came up with the idea for a fishing tournament at a barbecue in June. In addition to honoring Haerter's heroism, they felt that the village had gone long enough without a competition. Like July's Soldier Ride, during which more than 400 registrants helped raise more than $200,000 for The Wounded Warrior Project, Flood hopes that the fishing tournament is here to stay.

"It's a great family thing," Flood said. "It's going to go on for years and it will be even better."

Future fishermen look on intently as Joe Bloecker flays the winning entry, a 28.05-pound striped bass caught by Montauk's Rich Nessel.