Local Vet Featured On Discovery
Dimas Episode To Air March 13
Poplar’s Darin Dimas is featured in an episode of the Discovery show Operation:
Fishing Freedom set to air March 13.
According to a press release, the episode will feature Dimas and his family’s “life of patriotism while living on the reservation in beautiful Poplar, Montana.” The program features pro anglers Jay Garstecki and Ben Olsen with a different veteran telling their stories in each episode.
Dimas said the Discovery crew spent two full days in the area, fishing on the Missouri near his Poplar residence and visiting the Fort Peck Tribes Turtle Mound Buffalo Ranch.
“There is some footage of me and Jay Garstecki on horseback at the buffalo ranch,” said Dimas.
He said much of the time with Garstecki and the crew was spent fishing and telling stories about his tour in Afghanistan in 2012-13. All told, Dimas served for 24 years in the Montana National Guard.
The show’s producers were also drawn in by Dimas’ sons, Colter and Cory, who served six deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Rangers. Dimas said his sons served overseas before he did, allowing him to learn from their experiences.
“They taught me a lot,” said Dimas. “The kids gave dad advice about what to do to stay alive.”
Dimas was nominated for inclusion in the series by former local businessman Lowell Young.
Young told the Northern Plains Independent that he nominated Dimas for his humility and commitment to serving his country and community.
“Darin served a tour in Afghanistan with the Montana National Guard,” said Young. “He also has two sons that were Army Rangers.” Young said his friendship and professional relationship with Dimas has lasted decades. “Darin was a UPS driver in our corner of northeast Montana for many years,” he said. “The last 15, he was our driver at Hi-Line Sports. We were always impressed with Darin and his family’s devotion to faith, family and friends. There were over 1,000 nominees and only 10 were picked.”
Young said he was moved to make the nomination partially because he knew Dimas would be too humble to put himself forward.
“Being a humble man, Darin is a bit overwhelmed by the attention, but it is so deserving,” he said.
Season 4, episode 7 of Operation: Fishing Freedom featuring Dimas will air March 13. Check your local provider or visit discovery.com for more information.
