We have determined our schedule for the 2010 fishing season.
Our Fishing Experience schedule is:
Another honor for WQW Alum Matt Bradford! Matt received the USO Van Cleave Award in recognition of distinguished service presented at the USO Gala and Gold Medal Dinner in NYC, December 9, 2009. Matt and his Mom Debbie attended the event.
The following is an excerpt from a USO Facebook post by General Raymond T. Odierno who received the USO’s Distinguished Service Award at the Gala:
“On December 9th, I had the honor of attending the 48th Annual Armed Forces Gala and Gold Medal Dinner in New York City. The event, which was co-hosted by NBC’s Brian Williams, and retired Army Col. Jack A. Jacobs, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in Vietnam, raised over $1 million dollars for the USO. The mission of the USO of Metropolitan New York is to positively contribute to the morale and personal welfare of U.S. military personnel and their families who reside in, are stationed in, or are visiting the tri-state area. The organization helps channel the American public’s desire to give back to those who serve the country into programs and services that enrich their lives.The USO’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to the only five living Air Force Medal of Honor recipients, Col. Bernard F. Fisher, Col. James P. Fleming, Col. Joe M. Jackson and Col. Leo K. Thorsness. Col. George E. Day was also honored, but was not present.
I was honored to receive the USO’s Distinguished Service Award, which was also awarded HBO for its outstanding military-themed programming, and Bruce Whitman, president and CEO of FlightSafety International, Inc., and co-chairman of the Medal of Honor Foundation. The USO’s Distinguished Service Award is USO’s premiere award that recognizes exemplary leadership and service to the armed forces.
Five Service Members, representing each branch of service were given the Van Cleave Award in recognition of distinguished service, accomplishments and demonstrated leadership while deployed overseas: First Sergeant James Meltz; Lance Corporal Matthew Bradford; Captain Justin Conelli; Petty Officer Benjamin Foster; and Construction Mechanic First Class William Albano. These service members represent the new great generation of young men and women, who in an era of persistent conflict have raised their right hands and volunteered to bear the heavy burden of war on behalf of a nation. Their bravery and resiliency never cease to amaze me, and they deserve our recognition and thanks.”
In the 2009 FX re-cap, we introduced you to Matt Bradford, the wounded warrior Marine who had lost both legs and his sight in an IED explosion, and became Warriors and Quiet Waters first blind fly fisherman alumnus. During Matt’s FX 2 visit in June, WQW Board member Steve McGrath struck a friendship with Matt and discovered that Matt and his Mom Debbie, both native Kentuckians, were hard core University of Kentucky Wildcat fans. As luck would have it, Steve was acquainted with C.M Newton, legendary Alabama basketball coach and longtime Athletic Director at Kentucky! Knowing Matt’s love for the Big Blue, Steve contacted Newton and arranged for Matt and his Mom to attend the Kentucky v. North Carolina basketball game in Lexington in early December. At the good bye dinner on the last night of FX 5 in September, Steve told Matt about the trip and the game. Matt was smiling so hard that we thought he might split at the seams! Steve also made arrangements with local businessman friend, aircraft owner and pilot, Jerry Severson to fly Matt and Debbie from San Antonio, Texas to Lexington, Kentucky for the game. WQW Board member Tom O’Connor and his wife Celia, who is one of Warriors and Quiet Waters volunteer “Moms”, accompanied Matt and Debbie on the trip. It was a wonderful experience for Matt and Debbie. Not only were they were treated to one of the best college basketball games of the year, it ended up being a Kentucky Wildcat win!!! Warriors and Quiet Waters is grateful to the University of Kentucky and C.M. Newton for their hospitality, and we owe a very big note of thanks to Jerry Severson for the donation of his plane and his piloting expertise. Thank you!
There has been a minor modification to our schedule to allow attendance by the Warriors at a Montana State football game.
FX 5-09 has been shortened by one day to the normal 6 day schedule. FX 6-09 has been extended by one day to accommodate the football game and still allow the full fishing experience.
The current schedule is as follows:
Our schedule for 2009 is:
We pair each of the six warriors with a volunteer and an experienced guide. We prefer that the volunteers be fly fishermen but are not hard over on that. We ask that on the river the volunteers that are fly fishermen, not to fish, but rather be helpers and companions for the warriors.
A typical Fishing Experience (FX) goes as follows:
Day 1 Greeting, Transportation to Residence, Dinner at Home by “Moms”
Day 2 “Fly Fishing 101″ at a Local Pond, Dinner at Home by “Moms”
Day 3 Guided Fishing, Dinner at Home by “Moms”
Day 4 Guided Tour of Yellowstone Park, Dinner at a Restaurant Enroute To “Home”
Day 5 Guided Fishing And Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Local Restaurant
Day 6 Goodbyes and Departure.
If you would like to contribute or volunteer select the appropriate button above.
Thanks for your interest.
FX 6-08 has been rescheduled to commence two weeks later than originally scheduled. It will now start on Tuesday, 23 September and conclude on Sunday, 28 September.
FX 3-08
From 5 to 11 July, 2008 with Wounded Warriors (WWs) from
Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC); Center For The Intrepid (CFI); Balboa Naval Hospital (BNH)
Like March, FX 3-08 came in like a lion, and left, if not quite like a lamb, like a calmed ram! The original plan was to take four WWs and a Recreation Therapist (RT) on the camping and cutthroat trout fishing trip of a lifetime-a four-day trip into world famous Slough Creek (more…)
Here’s some words of wisdom from one of our WQW volunteer guides, Chris Fleck. Chris writes a fly fishing article for the Stillwater County News, and this excerpt came from a recent column.
…….Finally, I have a few thoughts regarding the therapeutic effects of fly fishing. This past week, I had the pleasure of spending (more…)
Having concluded another Fishing Experience for Wounded Warriors the following is a summation of their stay in Big Sky Country.
Tuesday, 17 June. The second group of wounded warriors arrived on schedule shortly after noon to clear skies and warm temperatures. After arrival “meet and greet” proceeded to Simms Fishing Products. All the warriors were fitted with boots, waders and rain jackets as well as (more…)
Friday, 2 May. Up early and in a small bus for the trip to Yellowstone National Park. Picked up a guide in West Yellowstone and then into the park. All entrance fees were waived by the Park-A most welcome gesture of support for our wounded warriors. As we had a predicted time for Old Faithful (more…)