Tacky Jack’s Helping Veterans program give Fairhope veteran gift of mobility

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If you have ever been to one of Tacky Jack’s locations, chances are you have taken a photo with the giant marlin and possibly dropped a donation in the box.

Those donations were used to purchase a sixth wheelchair this month for the restaurant’s Helping Veterans program.

In 2010, the marlin became a fixture outside of the Orange Beach location and staff quickly noticed guests were using it as a photo op. The decision was made to add a donation box and help local charities. Now each location has a marlin and Tacky Jack’s matches the donations dropped in the box.

The program’s latest recipient, Pat Peterson, graduated from Fairhope High School in 1989 and immediately joined the Army serving for seven years as a communication specialist. During his years of service Peterson was stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C.; Fort Gordon, Ga.; Seoul, South Korea; Monterey, Calif. and Fort Lewis, Wash., where he served as ROTC Inspector.

Less than one year after leaving the Army, Peterson was in a motorcycle accident that left him in a coma for 58 days and paralyzed from the waist down.

The injury did not slow him down. He enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing and kayaking and most any outdoor activity.

When asked what he planned to do first with his new wheelchair Peterson said, “I am a fisherman and I live about a mile from the bay, and I think I am going to get up tomorrow morning and get out there and catch me one.”

Pat has served on the board of directors for the American Paralyzed Veterans for the last 12 years and is proud of the work they do to improve the quality of life for these soldiers.

Pat has two grown children and is a proud grandparent of Colten. His daughter Danielle, grandson Colten and mother Tanzie attended the ceremony.

“Christmas came early for us, Colten and we have a new toy to play with,” Peterson said.