Walter Reed PHW 2007 Kickoff

All - This past Tuesday, John Colburn, CPT(note promotion!) Eivind Forseth, MAJ Doug Matty, Dea Matty, George Gaines, Douglas Dear, Barry Yancosek, and myself, made our annual presentation to potential 2007 participants in PHW, and clinic staff. The gathering was held in the Occupational Therapy Clinic at WRAMC. We were pleased that over 25 men and women were in attendance and signed up, indicating a desire to participate in the PHW program.

After a lunch provided by the Silver Spring Chick-Fil-A, we presented the PHW program, a program that is now beginning it's third year at WRAMC. I spent a few minutes going over the general concepts, emphasizing our desire to teach all the elements of the fly fishing sport, and set the stage for the opportunities to fly fish later, when the weather improves. I spoke of the local opportunities and the possibilities for travel - as we have done in the past. Eivind, in fly fishing "tactical" get-up, then described how PHW had helped in his recovery and how the program was ready to help the attendees in their recovery.

Following Eivind, James Stuck (formerly SPC, USA), SGT Russell Martin, SGT Jake Keeslar, and SGT Josh Williams recounted their experiences with PHW in 2006. The common theme from these Vets was that participating in the PHW program had been a positive and most enjoyable experience - It had helped them in their physical recovery by working muscles, adapting to their injury, and ultimately giving them the added confidence to achieve a greater degree of independence than they had originally thought possible. They all had good words to say about the fly fishing outings and the shared camaraderie of the events - both with the PHW group, and the many volunteers and supporters they met in the different parts of the country. James, for one, is confident that he can now eat 6 Maine lobsters in a single sitting.

John Colburn then spoke of the fly tying instruction that he gives and had his vice there to demonstrate the business of fly tying. Doug Matty described one of our first planned outings this year, a return to the Connetqout River in Long Island on the 29th of April - a joint venture with the Cadet Fly Fishing Club of West Point. Douglas Dear described his Rose River Farm near Syria, Virginia, and offered the use of his portion of the Rose River for PHW participants. Jake and Russell gave enthusiastic feedback on this offer, since they both had fished the Rose last October. Douglas went on to brief the plans to hold a 2-Fly Tournament at his farm on the 20th of May. This will be a family affair with the PHW Vets teamed with local fly fishing pros. The Eastern Blue Ridge Fly Fishers are the hosting this event.

George Gaines spent time talking about the up-and-coming National Capital Chapter-Trout Unlimited's Angling Show on 24 February in Bethesda. All the Vets have been invited to attend and a sign-up sheet was soon filled. The NCC has arranged for group casting lessons at the show, taught by the pro casters in attendance.

After answering questions, it was time to depart - an hour well spent by PHW and hopefully well received by the recovering wounded. I'm anticipating another excellent year with our program at Walter Reed.

Many thanks to those that helped at WRAMC on Tuesday, and a very special thanks to Eivind, John, and Barry for working so hard on getting the word out - their efforts were apparent. Thanks guys. We also are appreciative of LTC Stephanie Daugherty, and the OT Clinic staff for allowing us the time to talk about our program and the support they have given to PHW.

All the best,

Ed