Nationwide bass tournament honors 82nd Airborne veteran lost to suicide

A Million Thanks and the Say His Name Foundation launched a monthlong virtual bass tournament in September to honor Sgt. Dylan Holley, an 82nd Airborne Division veteran who died by suicide in 2023. The event ties fishing to suicide prevention, with anglers nationwide able to compete, raise awareness and memorialize service members and veterans lost to suicide.

Why it matters: - The SGT Dylan Holley Memorial Bass Tournament turns a personal loss into a public effort to raise awareness during Suicide Prevention Month. - The event is aimed at veterans, service members, military families and supporters across the country. - The tournament also creates a way to remember people lost to military and veteran suicide by name, not as statistics.

What happened: - A Million Thanks and the Say His Name Foundation are hosting the inaugural SGT Dylan Holley Memorial Bass Tournament. - The virtual tournament runs Sept. 1-30, 2026, during Suicide Prevention Month. - Sgt. Dylan Holley, an 82nd Airborne Division veteran, died by suicide on Sept. 17, 2023. - Holley served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a combat engineer before joining the U.S. Army and serving with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. - Anglers across the United States can compete from eligible public waters using the FishingChaos app.

The details: - The tournament is built around the theme “Hooked on Hope.” - Participants submit qualifying bass catches through the FishingChaos app instead of traveling to one location. - Adult and youth divisions are available. - Youth anglers may participate free with a registered adult. - The format is open to anglers, veterans, military families, 82nd Airborne alumni and supporters nationwide. - The tournament’s memorial T-shirt will include the names of service members or veterans submitted during registration. - Each submitted name will be printed on the back of the shirt. - The tournament will award cash prizes to top anglers in each region. - A separate side pot will go to the largest bass caught during the tournament. - Adult registration costs $45. - Registration is available at the tournament page. - Sponsorship opportunities are open to businesses and organizations that want to support the event and its suicide-prevention mission. - Sponsorship inquiries go to info@amillionthanks.org. - A Million Thanks says the organization has delivered more than 21.5 million letters of appreciation to members of the military community since its founding in 2004. - The Say His Name Foundation focuses on preserving the stories of service members and veterans lost to suicide and supporting their families.

Between the lines: - The tournament uses fishing as a social setting that can prompt conversation, connection and support. - The memorial shirt adds a personal layer to the event by making each honoree visible. - The nationwide virtual format lowers the barrier to participation and expands the event beyond one local community. - Michele Holley, executive director of A Million Thanks, said fishing can bring people together and create space to listen and be present, and that the event is meant to honor Dylan and encourage participants to reach out to someone they care about.

What's next: - Anglers can continue registering and submitting catches through Sept. 30. - Organizers will award prizes after the tournament ends. - Sponsors and supporters can still get involved before the event closes. - A Million Thanks and the Say His Name Foundation are using the tournament to push continued conversation about veteran suicide beyond September.

The bottom line: - The tournament combines competition, remembrance and suicide-prevention outreach in a format designed to reach participants nationwide.