Support our Troops

There are many groups that are serving our men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Our government is falling far short of providing the support they need. A few of these groups, that I am aware of, are Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., Army Bass Anglers, LLC and Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation, Inc. Many of our soldiers have life changing handicaps and these groups help them contend with their injuries, depression and overall wellness. These groups offer fishing as a means of comfort to our soldiers, who have given more for the freedoms that we enjoy than most of our politicians, by giving them something else to concentrate on.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is a nationwide group dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings. Locally (Denver, CO area), Project Healing Waters volunteers meet regularly with current war veterans and heroes and also Vets dating back to Vietnam, Korea and WWII. Along with teaching them how to tie flies and cast a fly rod they have even enlisted the cooperation of the Colorado Division of Wildlife to fish private stocked ponds. Other states have volunteers doing similar things. Project Healing Waters uses private donations to take our heroes on Fishing Trips all around the world. They don’t even think twice to ask airlines and hotels to comp. a flight or housing to help defray the cost of these trips.

Army Bass Anglers sponsors events like “Fishing for Freedom” tournaments that pair local fishermen with wounded Soldiers, for a day of tournament bass fishing on an awesome fishery, especially for them. They depend on local businesses, volunteers, and caring local and regional anglers in the San Antonio, Texas area and specifically with Fort Sam Houston’s Brooke Army Medical Center. They also work closely with ReturningHeroesHome.org a 12,000 square foot replacement building for the 1,200 square foot existing Warrior and Family Support Center formerly called the “SFAC” (Soldier and Family Assistance Center) located at Fort Sam Houston.

The Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation, Inc., a Billings, Montana based non-profit corporation, provides high-quality therapeutic and rehabilitative recreation, primarily to young enlisted servicemen and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan still in rehab in the military hospital system. They do this by taking traumatically wounded servicemen and women Fly Fishing for trout on Montana’s rivers and streams. A quote from the W&QWF website reads “Fishing is a solace…the opposite of war…a gentle and healing occupation.” (Luis Marden)
If you can help in any way, either by donating your time or money, or if you are a Vet that is having trouble coping with life at home, contact these organizations. Reach out to help yourself by helping others.

For more information on these great groups:
Email Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing at admin@projecthealingwaters.org
Email Army Bass Anglers at Armybassanglers@yahoo.com
Contact Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation by going to http://www.warriorsandquietwaters.org/contact.html

For more information on Project Healing Water Fly Fishing in Colorado, contact me. If I don’t have the answers, I’ll get them.

Tight Lines---<*))))><
Larry Snyder
larry@flyfishingcrazy.com
http:www.flyfishingcrazy.com