Cold temperatures, choppy waters and winds over the weekend made the second annual Pfc. Geoffrey Morris Memorial Governors Cup fishing tournament a little more challenging, but fishermen and their land-loving friends honored a Gurnee Marine killed in Iraq and raised money to help families of deployed military personnel.

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"For all the people who were here, their hearts were in the right place," said Marty Smith of Gurnee from the Lake County Marine Corps League, which provided support for the event.

The tournament and festival at Siver Park at Waukegan Harbor honored Morris, a 2003 graduate of Warren Township High School who was killed in Iraq two years ago.

The tournament was complemented by a Heroes of Freedom festival Saturday at the park that included food, music, entertainment and various military displays.

Chairman of the event is Kirk Morris, the father of Geoffrey.

"It was a great tournament," Morris said.

There were 37 boats competing in the two-day event. "There were 50 percent more boats this year," Morris said. "And there were many more local boats."

There were boats from five states — Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Florida — entered in the tourney.

Cash prizes were awarded to the top boats in the tournament.

Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn attended the festival Saturday and received a check from Morris for $5,300 for the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund which he helped establish. Following last year's tournament, more than $5,000 was presented to Quinn.

The fund assists families of Illinois National Guard members and reservists who face economic hardships when their military serviceman or woman is on active duty, Morris said.

The prize money came from entry fees and donations from several civic and business organizations, Morris said.

The scheduled Heroes of Freedom Fishing Tournament on Sunday for military personnel and veterans was canceled because of high waves on Lake Michigan, Morris said.

"We want them to enjoy themselves, rather than to beat them up," he said.

Weather delayed the start of the tournament on Friday by three hours.

Chris Disher of Park Ridge, a fishing boat captain, said "Friday was a rough day for fishing. People were getting sick."

He termed it "soft fishing" six to seven miles out on the lake for both days of the tournament.

King salmon, cohos, lake trout and a few steelheads were caught with the biggest fish being a 17.8-pound lake trout. There were kings in the 16-pound range with some cohos around the six-pound range.

"These days were to say thank you to the men and women who serve," Morris said.

John Basaldua of Gary, Ind., a member of the Army National Guard's 933rd Military Police unit headquartered in Waukegan who attended the festival said: "It's good to see people remember a young man who gave the ultimate sacrifice to his country."

Morris said he is planning to host the tournament again next year.

"I'll do it every year," he said. "I hope people will take the opportunity to thanks guys who protect their freedom. Just say thanks — tell them that every day."