Montgomery , Ala. – The 12 Bassmaster Elite Series pros who qualified for Toyota Trucks Championship Week in the sweltering summer heat of Alabama got the opportunity to give back to individuals who spent the past few years – and nearly sacrificed their entire lives in defense of their country.

Hope for the Warriors is an organization dedicated to helping soldiers wounded in battle adjust to their lives both physically and mentally. Part of their mission, taken from their website; www.hopeforthewarriors.org , says that the core of Hope For The Warriors™' (is an) impassioned drive to build hope beyond recovery.

Reese met his Hope for the Warriors partner Henry Drake, from Gainesville , Fla. at Bass Pro Shops in Prattville, Ala. the night before, and the pair loaded up in the Lucky Craft / PowerBait Big Rig for the 30 minute drive to The Waters, a private 200 acre lake in the quiet community of Pike Road .

Reese and the rest of the Elite Series pros and their Military partners spent three hours probing the waters of the lake looking for the one fish that would help them win the one fish, big bass derby. Reese and Drake did not win the tournament with their 3-pound, 10-ounce largemouth, but Reese said the result was not the important part.

“I compete in bass fishing tournaments for a living, which has been my dream since I was a kid,” said Reese. “It's because of the sacrifice of people like Henry that I get to do what I do for a living, and getting to share this day with them is just a small way to give back to them and thank them for their sacrifices.”

Along with the Hope for the Warriors outing on Tuesday, Reese, and his Elite Series Colleagues took part in a Fan Fest / Fish Fry hosted by a local radio station near the Riverwalk in Montgomery . Joining the anglers were fans of the radio station who won contests to take part in the evening's festivities, the Hope for the Warriors soldiers and some of the angler's families.

Wednesday starts the official two day practice period for the anglers on the Alabama River as they seek to grab hold of the 2010 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Trophy. A high finish on the river would likely give Reese his second AOY title, one that he wants to sew up badly. He currently holds a five point lead on Prattville , Alabama 's Russ Lane who won the first event of Championship Week on Lake Jordan .