Fishing tournament to benefit injured Marine

GAINESVILLE - A man whose own son served two tours of duty in the Middle East has organized a fishing tournament to help the family of a Gainesville Marine severely injured in a bomb blast overseas.

Tracy Tompkins, Sr. said he doesn't know Sean Adams or his parents very well, but he said he felt the need to help the family when he heard about the Marine's injuries.

"My son was overseas and I've just got a big heart for any of the kids in the military," said Tompkins.

Adams, 19, is currently hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland. He was wounded when he stepped on an IED while he was on patrol in Afghanistan in February. Adams lost both legs and suffered other severe injuries.

Tompkins' son survived his military duty only to die tragically in a car accident in Atlanta in September 2010.

Registration for the benefit crappie tournament is from 5:00 to 6:30 a.m. Saturday, March 31 at Gainesville's Lakewood Baptist Church. The entry fee is $50 per two-person boat, said Tompkins.

He said the weigh-in will take place between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. at the church on Thompson Bridge Road.

Tompkins said that anyone who has questions can call him at 770-503-5617.

While all proceeds will benefit the Sean Adams' family, Tompkins said there will be plenty of prizes for participants.

The main goal, however, is to make sure Adams' family has the financial means to care for their son once he returns to Hall County.

"We really need to stand behind all of our military, especially our locals, you know," said Tompkins. "I can see a lot of the community coming together [to help the family] and that is a real positive. That's something we need."