The Project Healing Waters 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 return to sharing these with you each week.

Marilyn Rogan – Field Advisory Committee Member

Project Healing Waters Program:

PHW Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Why Did You Join Project Healing Waters?

Project Healing Waters has been an intricate part of my life for 15 years. Why do I volunteer is a question I get asked frequently, and I must say, I don’t think about the why, but more about the who. Who am I helping today and how will it help them have a better life. I have chosen Project Healing Waters because Veteran have committed to protecting our country under all circumstances, even giving their life for me and you.

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

The fly fishing outings. What Project Healing Waters provides is an avenue of therapy that allows a Veteran to find that inner peace. There is nothing more calming to the soul than to be standing in the middle of a stream, early in the morning mist, listening to nature sounds and the gentle flow of a bubbling stream. Peace flows over the body and the Veteran begins to cope with what is troubling their mind. A volunteer is at their side to make sure they don’t fall in the water, due to balance issues. They are there to help trembling hands, or poor eyesight tie a fly on the line. But more importantly, they are there to listen to their story. Because once they trust you enough to share their story, they begin the healing journey. Many will never be completely healed of the tragedies of war, but at least now they have an avenue of hope, a helping hand of encouragement and a heart that cares.

A Bit More About Marilyn:

Marilyn was the Program Lead for PHW Murfreesboro for many years and has now joined the Field Advisory Committee so that her organizational knowledge and experience can continue to benefit Project Healing Waters. While in her role as Program Lead, she was nominated for and recently received the 2024 Tennessee Governor’s Volunteer Star Award. For context: “The Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA) is an initiative from Volunteer Tennessee that seeks to recognize outstanding volunteers from each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Now in its 16th year, participating counties conduct a call for nominations and recognize one outstanding youth and one outstanding adult volunteer. The Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards also recognizes one business and one non-profit from each of Tennessee’s three Grand Regions for their outstanding community involvement and service.”

Congratulations, Marilyn, thank you for everything you do for our Tennessee Veteran participants and volunteers, and for committing to future service through the Field Advisory Committee!

The PHW Spotlight will publish each Friday morning on www.projecthealingwaters.org.