NEWS & STORIES
The Patriot Award bestowed upon PHWFF Founder Ed Nicholson
A special ceremony took place during the Saturday night dinner of the 11th Annual PHWFF 2-Fly Tournament. Chairman Bob Fitch presented PHWFF Founder and President Emeritus Capt Ed Nicholson with our highest and most prestigious award, The Patriot Award. We’re pleased to share the full-citation with you below:
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF PROJECT HEALING Waters Fly Fishing takes great pleasure in presenting our most prestigious award, the Patriot Award, to Captain Edwin Nicholson, U.S. Navy (retired).
Following a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, Captain Nicholson transformed the lives of thousands of injured and disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans nationwide though his vision creating Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. It all began with him sharing his favorite pastime on the lawn at Walter Reed Medical Center over a decade ago. From these humble origins, Ed’s vision grew to become Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, a top-tier veterans service organization that now encompasses over 200 volunteer-run programs with more than 3500 volunteers that cumulatively serve over 7,000 active duty military and veterans each year.
Due to Ed’s vision and leadership, the past decade witnessed the course of life positively changed for tens of thousands of disabled active duty military service personnel and disabled veterans across the United States and abroad. He set a standard of service that inspired countless volunteers to dedicate themselves to “healing those who serve” in their communities around the world. One cannot overstate Ed’s contributions to the disabled veteran and fly fishing communities. His selfless service left a lasting mark and an unimpeachable model of service for all American citizens to follow. Ed’s dedication, leadership and total commitment to the disabled men and women the organization he created serves goes well beyond that normally expected from any American Patriot.
Ed Nicholson epitomizes all that is exceptional and good in American volunteerism, charity, and service to others. His vision and leadership over the past decade stand tall alongside the lions of charity and the heroes of service throughout our Nation’s history. He consistently and unwaveringly demonstrated the highest of noble intentions and commitment to the healing of our most deserving of citizens – the men and women of our Nation’s Armed Forces.
Accordingly, the Trustees of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing proudly recognize Captain Edwin P. Nicholson for his far-reaching leadership and extraordinary vision that enabled recovery, rehabilitation, fellowship, mentoring, and a sense of community to those who sacrificed in the service of our great Nation. We, as fellow countrymen and women, remain forever grateful and we will continue to follow his vision and noble mission that brings our unique form of therapy to those veterans and service-members in need of it for decades to come.