We have determined our schedule for 2013 as follows:
The Montana premier of a one hour documentary titled “Not Yet Begun to Fight” will be shown at the Emerson Theater on Wednesday, 24 October 2012. Show time is 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10 or $5 for veterans and active duty military. Tickets may be obtained at the door, Will Call by dialing 539-6800 or e-mail to wqw@bresnan.net. The award winning documentary tells the story of five wounded warriors that Warriors and Quiet Waters brought to Montana for a week of rehabilitative therapy.
On July 10 we had the honor of receiving 6 Wounded Warrior couples for FX 3-12, the first of two couples events to be held this year. The 12 participants traveled from all over the US including, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee and California. As is typical with a couples event, the 6 men had participated in a previous WQW “solo” event and were “veterans” of our program. But, for the ladies, this “fishing thing” was all new. So, we began the event with a quick tour of the Rivers Edge fly shop (www.theriversedge.com) , a local premier outfitter specializing in fishing gear and local guide services. To take the edge off the mid-day hungries, Tarantinos Pizza (http://www.bozemantarantinos.com) provided uniquely designed pizzas that everyone loved.
The guys were issued fishing gear during their previous stay with us, and similarly, we outfitted the wives with gear so they could fish with their husbands. The gear that both the men and ladies received from Simms Fishing Products (www.simmsfishing.com) is high quality, some of the best gear anywhere. Clearly, once fitted, the ladies were groov’in and looking cool in chest high waders, clunky boots and a fishing chest pack full of weird bugs, and goofy tools. With both couples outfitted, we provided a Fly Fishing 101 training program for the ladies, where they learned how to fling a fly line. After learning the basic skills, a lively casting completion filled in the morning activities and readied all for lunch. For the balance of the afternoon the couples fished for lunkers in a private pond . While a some of the guys caught a few whoppers, a number of the ladies out fished the men. It was fairly evident that a gal’s delicate hand on a fly rod can be more effective than a guy’s inherent desire to dominate the rod with power.
The balance of the week included fishing on the Yellowstone, Madison Rivers and Willow Creek. With bright blue skies and rolling afternoon thunder storms the folks enjoyed a classic Montana summer, testing their skills with a host of trout. Once again, to the chagrin of the guys, a number of the ladies out fished their partner.
For the ladies the highlight of the trip occurred on Saturday. This is the day when they had the choice of either fishing one more time with their husband or taking the day off from fishing and enjoy a full day of pampering. This latter option was chosen by 5 ladies, the 6th intrepid gal joined her husband for another day on the river. The pampering day, aka “spa day” was highlighted by full fare of head-to-toe decadence in the morning. After massages & facials, the ladies were ready for a superb meal in downtown Bozeman, allowing for ample time to compare stories with other Wounded Warrior wives. After lunch the gals had their hair done and had manicures, returning back to the Hilton Garden Inn in time for the farewell dinner, in preparation for their departure on Sunday, July 15.
Warriors and Quiet Waters 7th year of service successfully kicked off May 1-6 (FX 1-12). This event marked several turning points in our program activities. This year we will include one more event in our annual schedule for a line-up of 5 solo and 2 couples events.
Further, we now rely on the support of 5 local fly shops, all of which provide licensed fishing guides. FX 1-12 has proven that this change offers significant benefits, including: continuity of support between a Wounded Warrior and his guide, and a continued expansion of our local fishing guides to participate. This focus on expansion extends to the balance of the volunteers, with over 50% percent having an opportunity to support Warriors and Quiet Waters for the first time.
In classic style for our May event, these 6 Marines faced the challenges of a traditional Montana spring, literally experiencing all forms of blustery weather including snow, hail, rain, wind and warm sunshine – and on some occasions, all in the same day! And they loved it, even the Wounded Warrior from Hawaii (well, some “loved” it more than others). One thing is certain; all these Marines experienced a great Montana weather sampler.
The Wounded Warriors found the solace of Montana and the challenges of Fly Fishing a significant benefit in dealing with their wounds. As our Facebook photo page shows, these guys nailed some whopper trout, both in private ponds, spring creeks, and the Madison River. And, to round out their new found fishing talents we continued our two sessions of intensive fly tying training. A number of the guys used the flies they tied to trick a trout or two onto their hook. They will return home with not only new fishing skills, but the ability to catch fish on the flies they tie.
Not surprisingly, the way to a Wounded Warrior’s heart is through his stomach. Our “Mom’s” provided amazing food and home spun love, which will certainly stick with these guys for quite a while. I’m sure that our “boys” gained the required five pounds and connected with their new found Moms.
One unusual highlight of this event occurred during the trip to Yellowstone National Park. While it’s not that rare to see animals in the park, this time they saw 5 bears, including 1 sow with cubs. Even more remarkable they saw a Buffalo giving birth.
As we said our farewells at the end of the program, we reminded each of them that they are forever in our hearts and welcome back to Montana.
On behalf of the dedicated volunteers,
Bob Julian
Blue Team Leader, FX 1-12
We have determined our Fishing Experience (FX) schedule for 2012 as follows:
• FX 1-12 1 May – 6 May 6 Solo Warriors
• FX 2-12 5 June – 10 June 6 Solo Warriors
• FX 3-12 10 July – 15 July 6 Couples
• FX 4-12 7 August – 12 August 6 Solo Warriors
• FX 5-12 21 August – 26 August 6 Couples
• FX 6-12 11 September – 16 September 6 Solo Warriors
• FX 7-12 2 October – 7 October 6 Solo Warriors.
This year marked the completion of Warriors & Quiet Waters’ fifth season. And what a season it was! Our first group was featured in the June 20th issue of the “Weekly Standard” magazine; one warrior took the picture used on the cover, becoming a nationally published photographer! Later in the summer we were honored to have Jack Nicklaus host our inaugural “Journey Home” golf tournament! Five warriors and their spouses had a private dinner with Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, and one warrior was treated to the golf lesson of a lifetime from Mr. Nicklaus. Did we mention that a few fish were caught as well?
This year we ran seven fishing experiences (FXs) with 50 total participants. Our couples FX, which includes Wounded Warriors and their spouses, continues to be very successful; we were fortunate to be able to host two couples trips this season. In addition to fly fishing, each group was provided a guided tour through Yellowstone National Park.
The Mission of Warriors & Quiet Waters is to provide traumatically injured servicemen and women from Iraq and Afghanistan with a high quality restorative program, utilizing the therapeutic experience of fly fishing. The generous support of donors and the remarkable dedication of our volunteers allows us to operate a Gold Standard recreational therapy program. As a result, we can say “mission accomplished” for 2011 and start making our plans for next season.
Our alumni continue to tell us that our program enriched their lives in ways that last far beyond their time here. They know they can always pick up the fly rod they left with and reconnect with their friends in Montana… From all of us at Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation, we hope your lives have been enriched as well this year and we wish you the very best in 2012. Thank you!!
Rog Fowler is a highly acclaimed artist specializing in stainless steel and bronze fish sculptures. Each year he designs the trophy for the Gold Cup Tournament in Islamorada, Florida which is considered the world’s premier tarpon event. Simply put, we have never seen any sculptures that can compare to his. Rog has been a very generous supporter of W&QW and to that end, has agreed to donate 20% of the price for any of his pieces to our organization. Mention W&QW when you make a purchase and Rog will do the rest. Go to fowlersculpture.com to view his incredible work. Own an exceptional sculpture to showcase in your home while helping us at the same time.
To the great people of Bozeman, Montana and Warriors at Quiet Waters
My name is Sgt. Scott Riddle (Ret) and I have found the meaning of life in Bozeman, Montana. When I first inquired about this Trip I was just assuming that some nice people were going to take me fishing and give me a chance to relax on the banks of a river. I had no idea what was really in store for me.
I guess the first thought that comes to my mind is thankfulness. I am thankful for a community of caring volunteers that take in complete strangers and make them feel as if they are part of their community. I am thankful that these same people don’t throw the word hero around, because the heroes couldn’t be here because they only came home in our mind and our dreams and this community knows this. I am thankful for the generosity of this great organization that provided us with the gear but also the training to use it and the worlds greatest volunters to make this whole thing happen. I noticed the little things that make great events even more greater, I saw a man drive to the house just to put up tables and chairs and light smores fires, I saw drivers come to the house everyday to pick us up and take us to events and then wait for us to come back so they could take us back to the house, I saw some very patient people teaching me how to cast, and I got to fish in an exclusive pond stocked with beautiful fish. I saw angels come to the house and make breakfast everyday. I saw two guys set with us until 10 o’clock at night tying flys, and some pretty lady giving much needed massages, and I saw two of the nicest people on earth living in a camper beside a house that could have easily sheltered them, but they allowed us to have space at the cost of their living in a camper. In truth I saw the world’s most beautiful orchestra carried out by the worlds finest musicians.
What this trip did for me is beyond words. It was pretty overwhelming for me to come back from theatre on a stretcher badly broken, both physically and mentally. I wondered what was left of the life that I had before I went, but I still remember my drive to answer the call and I was willing to sacrifice it all because that is what Americans do. What this trip did for me was to restore my faith that great Americans like the people of Bozeman, Montana are worth defending, even if it means not getting to come home. This awesome community and this great organization didn’t just teach me fly fishing, they gave me the gift of peace. Thank you so much I will never forget what you have done for me.
Sincerely,
Scott Riddle Sgt. (RET)
U.S Army
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