Corpusfishing.com

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:17 am Post subject: Personal and Professional Status

When I returned from active military status in 1976 I was advised by a member of the V.A. that I was physcologically unemployable due to serving 2 voluntary tours of duty as a patrol leader in South Vietnam and that I had other issues stemming from this as well. They suggested I file a claim with the V.A. for service connected disability and advised that they felt sure I would get it. I declined to do so but told them if I ever needed it I knew how to get in touch with them. Then I went fishing for 33 years. Most often just barely getting by and living hand to mouth but having a wonderful life. Very demanding and tough but wonderful. As time went on I had more and more service related health problems and the charter business got worse and worse due to the economy, and climatic events resulting in less and less charters each year. Finally, on Dec. 31st., 2009 I filed a claim for service connected disabilty with the V.A. and on 31 Oct., 2011 the V.A. approved my claim and awarded me 100% service connected disability. I don't know what we would have done without it. I had sold the Panga in June to get by and really had my back against the wall. The future was looking quite bleak until the disability was approved. As such I don't really have to charter to get by. My wife and I are not really very high maintanence. I will continue doing lite tackle, how to and naturalist trips on PINS on a limited basis at least through May but I'm discontinuing kayaking shark trips and all boat trips. Very probably I'll be down island as much as always as it is my church and the one place in the world I am 100% at home but it will be taking Billy fishing or studying rather than chartering. After May we'll see how things are going. I'd like to thank everyone who has helped keep bread on our table these 22 years and I'd like to take the time to tell each of you how much you have meant to me in my life. You, the people of the sand and the shore have been my family all my life. It ain't the end of the road. It's just time to do a little fishing instead of taking others fishing. Just ask brother Capt. Mike Singleterry; it darn sure ain't the same thing. Be seeing you "down home."
Your Brother in the Sand. Capt. Billy L. Sandifer
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If we don't leave any there won't be any.

The Trash Heap · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:50 am Post subject:

Keep your faith in one hand and your fishing tackle in the other, Brother. You know that every day spent fishing adds another day to your life. Make it a good, long one.
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The Trash Heap Has Spoken!
NNYYAAAHH!!!

rabbit · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:12 am Post subject:

Good luck Billy.
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Fishing and Kayaking its a rough life but somebody has to do it.

Towboat Trash · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:46 am Post subject:

Glad to hear it worked out, especially at 100%. Cya down that way sooner than later! ARGH!
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Protect Padre at all costs for future generations to use and enjoy and never forget our freedoms aren't free.

www.padreislandexpeditions.com

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 7:48 am Post subject:

Best of luck, it sounds like you more than deserve it! Wink

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Dave

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein

ziacatcher · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:04 am Post subject:

I've always enjoyed talking with you and listening to your stories of Padre Island. Hope to see you on the sand and hear more for many years to come.

ccbobber · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:40 am Post subject: billy

stay well, stay happy, enjoy fishing fishing & more fishing.
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ccbobber

cephus · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:15 am Post subject: Fishing

It's about time Brother Billy! You have earned it. Go and enjoy.
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Off Shore Port Mansfield

CopanoCruisin · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:05 pm Post subject:

Billy hat is great news hearing of the approval. And yes just reading about the late 70s after you returned brought back some great memories of fishing and visiting around each other in the later 70s and 80s until I moved over here to the other side of the world. Best of luck with your future adventures. Your old friend.....................cC.............aka.....Smokey

Coach · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:21 pm Post subject:

From us, the beach, and future generations.. Thank you for your efforts!
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Happy Hook'n
Coach

Member of Team Stingray

hickroots07 · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:04 pm Post subject:

Though I've never met you personally I have so much respect for you and what you have accomplished here in the community and on the beach. Glad things are going good!

Oz might finally have found someone that can fish up a better report than him! Very Happy

HRod2222 · Horse Mullet Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Posts: 222 Location: SA

From 1 service member to another thank you and your family for your service. It is great news to hear that you have been award benefits. It is encouraging news. Yet we still have homeless vets that aren't educated enough to know that they have benefits waiting for them. During war we volunteer to be stationed in designated harms way. The families left behind hardly get the recognition for the sacrifice they endure during this separation. At the end of the day we the US Soldier and families sacrifice so much. It's not an easy life, very challenging, but we manage.

If you ever need a fishing buddy it would be honor to wet a line with you.

TSgt, USAF
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"Our houses are protected by the good Lord and a gun And you might meet'em both if you show up here not welcome son" -Josh Thompson

HOMERFROMCORPUS · Horse Mullet Joined: 12 Jun 2011 Posts: 157

Glad you finally applied. No amount of money will ever be enough to compensate you for what you have had to endure.

But even when you are gone you will be a legend that will take a long time to die.

Life was predestined for you and you have made the most of it.

You did something most other people don't. You gave more than you took, and that is why you will be a legend that will probably never be matched.
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"OVER A MILLION SPECIES ON THIS PLANET AND HUMANS ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CREATES GARBAGE"

flounderjig · Horse Mullet Joined: 12 Nov 2009 Posts: 115

Your service to country is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

gulfpredator1 · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:35 am Post subject:

Your a great man Billy and i wish you all the best. Thanks for all you have done
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