TU SUPPORTS OUR TROOPS

by Stuart Shafran

This past winter volunteers from several New Jersey TU chapters have joined forces in a program called Project Healing Waters. Co-directors, Stuart Shafran from CJTU and Bob Cohen from JSTU feel this program is too large for one TU chapter to sustain so we have reached out to our friends from all of the northern chapters. We are proud of the fact that, for the first time, volunteers from these chapters have joined together on any project.

Charles J. Liegel Sr, (on left) Mayor of Belvidere, shows his support for Project Healing Waters

PHW, a nationwide program which is in its third year provides us a venue by which we can aid wounded warriors from Iraq and other areas of conflict in their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing, casting, and fly tying.

Every few weeks for the past year TU volunteers and veteran participants from both Lyons and East Orange VA Hospitals have met at the Lyons campus, just off Route 78, for two hour sessions of physical therapy, fishing instructions, and entertainment.

On October 7th the Pequest Hatchery in Oxford, New Jersey, invited PHW to fish their educational pond. That morning fifteen vets along with over twenty five volunteers participated in one of the best recreational events, ever. Every vet worked with an instructor and the remaining volunteers stood by, ready to net the fish. Many fish were caught on flies that were tied by the vets themselves, the rest were caught on donated flies from TU members and local shops. The rods and reels were supplied by the hatchery. And, of course, the great weather was supplied by you know who...

We would like to thank Carole Swarek and the Pequest Hatchery, Ramsey Outdoor, Hal Fish, Larry Gove, John Wester, Ed Cordella from CJTU, and everyone else who supported our program. Everyone from the VA administrators, to the staff, and especially the wounded warriors are so appreciative of what we are trying to accomplish.

Currently, we are scheduling next year's events. Any suggestions would be welcomed. For more information or to volunteer please contact Stuart Shafran, s2rtflyfisher@verizon.net.

Stuart Shafran