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The Project Healing Waters Spotlight: Paul Bohorquez – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

September 15, 2023

The PHW Spotlight is our way of shining a bright light on those members of our PHW family whose accomplishments and contributions inspire us all. 

These individuals, and their stories, are an essential part of the healing journey happening for Veterans across the country. Project Healing Waters transcends fly fishing and these Spotlights are a glimpse into what is happening throughout our programs. We are honored to share these with you each week.


Paul Bohorquez – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

When Did You Serve?

Enlisted January 11, 2010.

Project Healing Waters Program:

PHW Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Why Did You Join Project Healing Waters?

I was looking to clear my mind of the things that were happening around me. My best friend asked me four years ago to check out Project Healing Waters as they teach veterans the art of fly fishing. Years later, I finally decided to give it a chance. I wanted to learn a new craft as well. I now find peace in the streams and pleasure in doing something I love and have passion for fishing in general.

What Is Your Favorite Activity With Project Healing Waters? Why?

One of my favorite activities is the fishing portion, but also the fly tying portion. I have learned a lot. It’s given me a chance to build a small community on my YouTube channel where I can share what I learn in fly tying class on a live segment. I get to share and meet others that are passionate about fly fishing and fly tying.

What Do You Most Look Forward To With Project Healing Waters In The Upcoming Year? Why?

I look forward to making memories out on the stream with fellow Veterans from the group. It’s the peace on the water that brings everyone together, where there is no animosity or disruptions from the outside world.

A Bit More About Paul:

My name is Paul Bohorquez, a Marine Corps Combat Veteran from Hamilton, New Jersey. I joined the Marine Corps in 2010 and deployed to Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2011. A lot has changed since those past times. It was a struggle to get my mindset to a place where I can feel “normal” after coming back from a war that had taken so much from us. I had my brother Joshua Barrett, a combat veteran as well, who helped me get back to my feet, as I had mentally declined shortly after getting out of the service. It was a struggle but I was able to get back up on top. Years later, I was faced with a couple challenges in life, where I ultimately had to restart my life again. I was able to get myself out of a situation that had brought nothing but chaos to my world. But with God on my side and the people who He had put in my life to guide me, like my family, I was able to overcome these issues. As I continue to work on building a more structured lifestyle, I am blessed to have met my Beautiful wife Angela Bohorquez, who I married 08/28/2022. A phenomenal woman who has stuck by me as I worked on rebuilding my life. In 2022 I had the opportunity to be re-introduced to Project Healing Waters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. My Brother Josh had told me about the organization in 2019 but I kindly shrugged it off and missed out. Once I finally joined the local program in 2022, I was able to learn and meet some really great people along the way. I’ve had the opportunity to have met Vincent Taylor, who has been a positive and knowledgeable role model, as well as my fly tying mentor Rusty Berrier. PHW has played a role in my healing process, for which I am grateful. They have provided me with tools to be able to pursue a career for which I never even intended to form a passion. In the past year that I have been involved with the program, I have been able to learn how to fly fish, learn to tie flies, as well as pursue attending Sweet Water Guide School out in Montana to become a fishing guide. I also create fly fishing content for my YouTube channel (LastCast31 is the YouTube Handle) for other Veterans to see that there are opportunities like the one PHW offers. I’ve learned that with the right people and tools like PHW offers, you can move forward in a more positive mindset. THANK YOU TO PROJECT HEALING WATERS AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES MAKING ALL OF THIS A POSSIBILITY.


The PHW Spotlight will publish each Friday morning on www.projecthealingwaters.org. Learn more about this inspiring series HERE

Latest News

Project Healing Waters Tennessee Valley In The News: National Casting Champion Earns The Spotlight!

September 15, 2023

The recent Project Healing Waters National Casting Competition brought together 15 regional champions from across the country. Held at Bennett Spring Park in Lebanon, Missouri, the competition was the culmination of local and regional casting competitions hosted across the country, with the winners meeting to determine who would earn the prestigious title for 2023.

In addition to a full day of practice Tuesday prior to Wednesday’s competition, there were plenty of opportunities for fishing on the Niangua River. Henry Stockman, from the Tennessee Valley region, posted impressive scores for both rounds on Competition Day to take the top spot!

It’s great to see our organization’s flagship fly casting event be highlighted by media outlets! Check out more here, thanks to the Chattanoogan and Ross Schweinforth!

Latest News

Project Healing Waters Northwest In The News: A Successful Yakima 2-Fly Event!

September 14, 2023

The Project Healing Waters Northwest Region came together on the Yakima River in Ellensburg, Washington. Hosted by the PHW Ellensburg Program, the Yakima 2 Fly was the first large event presented by the program since 2019, and it was great to bring everyone back together for the camaraderie and connectedness that forms the core of Project Healing Waters. The event was detailed in an article by the Ellensburg Daily Record, so feel free to follow the link and read more about this wonderful regional gathering! “The Veterans — 36 in 13 boats including rowers, some of whom are also veterans — set out along the Yakima River for a friendly Northwest Region trout-catching contest Saturday. Each chose two flies and came back to a Cascade Mountain Grilling-catered dinner, dessert, and prizes.”

Thank you to everyone in the Northwest Region who came together to make this event a resounding success, here’s to many more! To view more photos from the event, check out the PHW Northwest Region Facebook Page!

Latest News

The Project Healing Waters Spotlight: Golden Corral – Supporter

September 8, 2023

The PHW Spotlight is our way of shining a bright light on those members of our PHW family whose accomplishments and contributions inspire us all. 

These individuals, and their stories, are an essential part of the healing journey happening for Veterans across the country. Project Healing Waters transcends fly fishing and these Spotlights are a glimpse into what is happening throughout our programs. We are honored to share these with you each week.

This week’s Spotlight is particularly special, as it highlights a group that has been supporting our programs for over a decade, reinforcing one of our largest annual events, and holding important roles within our organization. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do as an organization without the extensive contributions from Golden Corral and the Trenary Family!


Golden Corral – Supporter

Company:

Golden Corral

Company Social Media:

Find Golden Corral on Facebook and Instagram

Location:

Based in North Carolina, but serving at hundreds of locations across the United States

Project Healing Waters Programs Supported:

Golden Corral and the Trenary Family have supported Project Healing Waters for over a decade, not only through sponsorship of national ambassador events like the fabled Mossy Creek Invitational and the most recent Daytona outing, but also through personal contributions and even membership on the Board of Trustees and within the Founder’s Circle.

How Long Have You Been Supporting Project Healing Waters?

Since 2011.

Here’s a bit more about Golden Corral and the Trenary Family:

Support from Golden Corral, their president and CEO Lance Trenary, and his daughter Elizabeth Trenary, is hardly a recent thing. Instead, their continued support for over 10 years has ensured that we have been able to engage in our crucial mission to support Veterans along their healing journeys through fly fishing. Lance was honored in 2018 with the Project Healing Waters Patriot Award for his contributions to our cause, and most recently joined us at our event at Daytona International Speedway, alongside the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. Our time at Daytona could not have happened without them: Golden Corral was the presenting sponsor for this event, and Lance was also joined by Skip Hanke and Telly Smith, Golden Corral’s Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Purchasing & Distribution, respectively. It was great to have them join us for some time on the water, as well as to play a crucial part in the camaraderie and connectedness of the weekend. More on that event will follow soon!

Elizabeth, in addition to being a member of the Project Healing Waters Board of Trustees, has the distinction of having hoisted the Mossy Creek Invitational winner’s trophy alongside Jessica Dial in 2013. The MCI remains a premiere event in the Project Healing Waters rotation, and the bragging rights from that tournament are well-deserved! It’s an honor to have distinguished individuals like Elizabeth and Lance not only do so much to support our mission and our Veterans, but also to join our Veterans on the water and see the impact of their contributions first hand.

We can’t thank Golden Corral or the Trenary Family enough for their contributions over the years, but we look forward to sharing more days on the water alongside them in the future. Project Healing Waters is only a part of the wider support that Golden Corral provides to the American Veteran community. Their Camp Corral initiative is an amazing example of that continuing support.


The PHW Spotlight will publish each Friday morning on www.projecthealingwaters.org. Learn more about this inspiring series HERE

Latest News

Farewell Tour For Stewart Mitchell, Florida Regional Coordinator

September 1, 2023

By Beccy Fortin, Florida Regional Coordinator

As his duties as Regional Coordinator for Florida wrapped up, Stewart Mitchell took the time to do his final road trip to the Pensacola and Eglin area to thank his long time Program Leads Jim White and Greg Houghaboom. The three of them have worked closely with one another since the beginning of Project Healing Waters Programs in Florida. Together they have brought a great deal of healing to an immeasurable number of Veterans in need. 

Stewart’s leadership will be missed by all the Florida Programs, as he has been our fearless leader for years. We wish him well in his future endeavors (and fishing!) and thank him for all that he has done for a great many of our Veterans. 

Stewart was also recently honored for his efforts in leading the Florida region through the Phil Johnson Leadership Award.

May you have many tight lines and think of us often!

Latest News

Closing the Gap – PHW Veterans Share Fly Fishing With Marines At Battalion Warrior Night

August 31, 2023

By Tim Norris, PHW Rocky River Ohio

On Saturday July 24, a group of Veterans and volunteers with Project Healing Waters Rocky River had the great fortune of attending Battalion Warrior Night with Marines of the 3d Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. Over 200 Marines in attendance had just completed an annual 2-week training exercise. The event was held at a pond-side pavilion on Camp Garfield in Ravenna, Ohio. The night’s activities included athletic competitions, BBQ, an awards ceremony, camaraderie, and an intro to fly fishing from the Veterans and volunteers of PHW Rocky River. 

This event was an incredible opportunity to close the gap between our current warfighters and Veterans who have served in the past. We started by offering fly casting demos and instructions to interested Marines. After about an hour of instruction, we were not surprised to see most of these Marines throwing loops and shooting line – attaining a level of proficiency that takes many people weeks or months to achieve. 

After casting instructions, we joined the Marines for dinner provided by Mission BBQ. Following dinner, longtime PHW Rocky River Veteran Tyler Bales had a chance to address the group of Marines. Tyler deployed to the Al-Anbar province of Iraq with 3/25 in 2005 and received an honorable discharge after he completed his contract. He spoke about life after the Marine Corps – the importance of the camaraderie he formed with other Marines while in the Corps, how he missed that aspect of service, and how organizations like Project Healing Waters help Veterans keep that spirit of camaraderie alive in life after service. 

After dinner, the group walked down to the pond and caught a handful of largemouth bass and panfish. The evening ended with an award ceremony for the Marines. Our Veterans all agreed it “brought back memories, in a good way.” We are incredibly grateful to the Marines and the leadership of 3/25 for inviting us to Battalion Warrior Night. Several Marines inquired about how to volunteer with PHW and we look forward to fishing with you and our Veterans in the near future. Only about 2 months until the steelhead start coming back! 

Footnote: The 3d Battalion, 25th Marines is headquartered in Brook Park, Ohio, just 2.5 miles away as the crow flies from some of the finest steelhead fishing on the Rocky River. PHW Rocky River is incredibly grateful to count many Marines who have served with 3/25 as part of our program. This group includes Marines that served in the 1970s, Marines that are still in the Corps, and several Marines who deployed to the Al-Anbar province of Iraq in 2005 and fought in some of the fiercest engagements of the insurgency.

Latest News

The Project Healing Waters Spotlight: Mikel Sargent – U.S. Army Veteran

August 14, 2023

The PHW Spotlight is our way of shining a bright light on those members of our PHW family whose accomplishments and contributions inspire us all. 

These individuals, and their stories, are an essential part of the healing journey happening for Veterans across the country. Project Healing Waters transcends fly fishing and these Spotlights are a glimpse into what is happening throughout our programs. We are honored to share these with you each week.

This week’s Spotlight deservedly points at Mikel Sargent. His passing was an enormous loss for Project Healing Waters in West Virginia, but his impacts on not only the Lewisburg Program but across the country are made clear by Veteran participants and volunteers alike every day. “Mikel was an excellent example of what PHW should be about,” said Terry Keenan, Regional Coordinator for the WV region. “He went from a new participant who was struggling with his own demons to someone who grew within the program and as a participant/volunteer, mentored others by sharing his experiences. We will miss him greatly, but will carry on our mission as he would want us to.”


Mikel Sargent – U.S. Army Veteran

When Did You Serve?

1988-1996.

Project Healing Waters Program:

Started in PHW Beckley, helped form PHW Lewisburg

Why Did You Join Project Healing Waters?

While at the VA Hospital, he was told about Project Healing Waters. He waited a couple of weeks before attending a PHW meeting at the Beckley WV Veterans Hospital. He was hooked during the first meeting. Mikel was there for every meeting. COVID happened, and meetings were shut down for a while. But when the meetings resumed, so did Mikel.

A Bit More About Mikel:

Mikel Sargent was born and raised in Mullens, WV, and graduated from Mullens High School in 1988. In December of 1988, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After boot camp and advanced individual training (AIT), he was transferred to Germany where he served as Motor Sergeant until Operation Desert Storm. Mikel was then transferred to Desert Storm, where he served as Motor Sergeant and Wrecker Operator for 13 months. After his tour, he was again stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1996.

After Mikel completed his military service, he returned to the U.S. and started working as a Traveling Master Auto Technician, and worked in the service departments of many auto dealerships. It was during this time that he started receiving his medical care from the U.S. Veterans Hospitals.

In 2008, Mikel entered the coal mines where he eventually became an Underground Boss. He worked there until PTSD and heart problems took him out of the mines in 2016. At this point, he spent a couple of years hanging out and working at the family farm while falling further into despair.

While at the VA Hospital, he was told about Project Healing Waters. He waited a couple of weeks before attending a PHW meeting at the Beckley WV Veterans Hospital. He was hooked during the first meeting. Mikel was there for every meeting. COVID happened, and meetings were shut down for a while. But when the meetings resumed, so did Mikel.

Mikel passed away unexpectedly on July 25, 2023. He was a major force in starting up the program in Lewisburg, WV, where he most recently served as Assistant Program Lead. He loved working with The Greenbrier Resort, where the program would meet, and was proud to haul the Project Healing Waters trailer to meetings and events. He had a new lease on life, and he was “eating, drinking, and sleeping” everything about Project Healing Waters. He was back with his military family, and he made a positive difference in the lives of others.

“Mikel was an excellent example of what PHW should be about,” said Terry Keenan, Regional Coordinator for the WV region. “He went from a new participant who was struggling with his own demons to someone who grew within the program and as a participant/volunteer, mentored others by sharing his experiences. We will miss him greatly, but will carry on our mission as he would want us to.”

In April of 2023, he attended a PHW event with Ward Burton thanks to the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, and he said it was one of the greatest trips of his life. He also caught his first ever musky on a fly during the 2022 Eric Workman Memorial Musky Tournament, and won the participant division. Mikel loved everything about Project Healing Waters, and we are so grateful to have known him. We know that Mikel is fishing those healing waters up above now, and he will be forever missed.


The PHW Spotlight will publish each Friday morning on www.projecthealingwaters.org. Learn more about this inspiring series HERE

Latest News

The Project Healing Waters Spotlight: Jim Garner – U.S. Army Veteran

July 21, 2023

The PHW Spotlight is our way of shining a bright light on those members of our PHW family whose accomplishments and contributions inspire us all. 

These individuals, and their stories, are an essential part of the healing journey happening for Veterans across the country. Project Healing Waters transcends fly fishing and these Spotlights are a glimpse into what is happening throughout our programs. We are honored to share these with you each week.


Jim Garner – U.S. Army Veteran

When Did You Serve?

Drafted in 1969.

Project Healing Waters Program:

Long Beach, CA

How Long Have You Been Participating with Project Healing Waters?

4 years.

Why Did You Join Project Healing Waters?

I first learned of Project Healing Waters while attending the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, CA. While at their booth I spent about 30 minutes learning about PHW’s Mission, and what they do to assist Veterans in need. I learned that the organization is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of active military service personnel and Veterans in need through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. At the conclusion of the introduction, I inquired, how do I learn more? I was referred to the Long Beach Program Lead. After I spoke with the Program Lead, I was invited to one of their weekly meetings. During that meeting I learned of how extensive their program is, and all at no cost to the Veteran!

What Do You Look Forward To With Project Healing Waters In The Upcoming Year? Why?

I look forward to spending more time with all the activities! It is comforting and healing to be involved with such a wonderful group of Veterans who all served their Country in distant as well as recent conflicts. I have great appreciation for what I have learned, and the wonderful new friends that I have met through PHW.


The PHW Spotlight will publish each Friday morning on www.projecthealingwaters.org. Learn more about this inspiring series HERE

Latest News

The Project Healing Waters Spotlight: Al Hogenauer – Volunteer

July 14, 2023

The PHW Spotlight is our way of shining a bright light on those members of our PHW family whose accomplishments and contributions inspire us all. 

These individuals, and their stories, are an essential part of the healing journey happening for Veterans across the country. Project Healing Waters transcends fly fishing and these Spotlights are a glimpse into what is happening throughout our programs. We are honored to share these with you each week.


Al Hogenauer – Volunteer

Project Healing Waters Program:

Boise, Idaho

How Long Have You Been Volunteering with Project Healing Waters?

3 years

What Inspired You To Volunteer with Project Healing Waters?

I heard from local anglers and national leaders in the fly fishing community about what a valuable program Project Healing Waters was. When I retired I had the time to volunteer for PHW and signed up at the local group.

What Is Your Favorite Activity With Project Healing Waters? Why?

I enjoy every activity I have been involved in with Project Healing Waters but I especially like the fly tying activities. In the winter, it is fun to get together and talk fishing and help some Veterans learn or improve their fly tying skills.

What Do You Look Forward To With Project Healing Waters In The Upcoming Year? Why?

I would like to help out more with casting clinics, fly tying events, and actual fishing outings.


The PHW Spotlight will publish each Friday on www.projecthealingwaters.org. Learn more about this inspiring series HERE

Latest News

Project Healing Waters Rapid City/Sturgis In The News!

July 11, 2023

PHW Rapid City/Sturgis was covered during a day on a nearby stream by one of their local news affiliates, NewsCenter1. This is a great opportunity for a growing program to gain even more traction in their community. Program Lead Joshua Osterbur was able to speak about his own personal experiences with the benefits of PHW programming and how PHW Rapid City/Sturgis is able to help fellow Veterans. If you’re interested in the video or the associated article, please click here.

Thank you to Joshua Osterbur and PHW Rapid City/Sturgis for taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity to expand visibility of PHW programming and the organization as a whole. Wider awareness of Project Healing Waters means an expanded ability to help military personnel and Veterans in need!

Latest News