"Looking back, my most memorable moment in 2009" was the first fly fishing"outing" of Project Healing Waters(PHW) on the Mississippi River's Hidden Falls with our wounded veterans from the VA Hospital. It was a magnificent hot day to be near water and fishing.

Being it was the very first "outing" for the PHW/Minneapolis VA Hospital, no one knew what to expect or what would happen. We had lots of volunteers anxious as well as hospital staff and veterans. The VA bus arrives and we help the Hospital Therapy staff unload the veterans and we wheel them down to the rivers edge and those ambulatory included a lawn chair so as not to have to stand too long. One veteran had his slippers on and was concerned about falling into the water. A tree landed some of his back casts but helpers retrieved his fly and back to fishing we all went. Then a whoop was heard all the way up to Minnehaha Falls and we rushed to the veteran's aid thinking he was into a giant sea creature.Three volunteers were there in a second to assist and all others gathered were expecting to see a big Small Mouth Bass, a Carp orNorthern Pike only to find out that he had not hooked up at all. A barge was coming up the river and the water level rose so fast theveteran was sitting in the river ankle deep with his pant legs andslippers soaking wet. We thought he would be upset and want to stop fishing only to have him settle back down in his lawn chair and wet slippers and say "lets catch some fish".

The afternoon was spent with many conversations, ending with a picnic under the giant basswood trees that line therivers edge and provide shade, telling stories, jokes and memories of the day and past experiences. All, I mean all, attending and observing left feeling elated and uplifted and looking forward to the next time. 

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings by volunteers from the community.

"Come Serve Those Who Have Served?"