FORT RUCKER, Ala. (September 15, 2011) -- Single Soldiers might not be married, but that doesn't mean they don't want to help other Families when possible, according to Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers and Survivor Outreach Services officials.

On Sept. 10, BOSS teamed with SOS, outdoor recreation and the Hearts Apart organization to provide Families of fallen Soldiers and Families with deployed Soldiers with a fun day of fishing at Buckhorn Lake, said Brian Jackson, Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation BOSS adviser.

"The BOSS program planned and executed a very selfless event this past weekend with Hearts Apart and SOS Families," he said. "The BOSS fishing event is held once a year and it gets a lot of Soldiers to come out and volunteer to fish with Families. There's nothing better than seeing the kids' smiling faces after learning how to fish and talking with our single Soldiers."

The idea to provide a fishing activity for children of fallen servicemembers came from a child who mentioned, with the death of his father in Iraq, he now would not have someone to teach him how to fish, said Beth Gunter, SOS program manager.

The organization involved and mentorship of the Soldiers during the Fishing and Fun Day demonstrates a commitment to survivors that they are, and will continue to be, an important part of the Army Family, she said.

"The caring commitment of the local community to the Families of our fallen heroes helps to keep the memory of their loved ones alive," she said. "It also provides support as they get together with peers experiencing similar losses, and reaffirms they will never be forgotten."

Jackson said the event also gave Families a chance to get to know the single Soldiers and make new friends.

"This is the fourth year we have organized and participated in this event and it has truly changed the perception that the Hearts Apart and SOS Families have of single Soldiers," he said. "As one of the parents stated to me, 'This is the second year we have been to this event and my daughter talks about it all year long' and 'I am in shock that this many single Soldiers would give up their Saturday for me and my Family.'"