Warriors and Quiet Waters News

2012 Schedule

tom — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:31:21 +0000

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.

Warriors and Quiet Waters 2011

tom — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:41:17 +0000

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!!

Sculptor lends a hand

tom — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:08:46 +0000

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.

Letter from one of our recent Wounded Warriors

tom — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:18:09 +0000

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

IRS Form 990 2010

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:33:08 +0000

Please click the link below to download our IRS Form 990 2010:

2010 IRS Form 990.pdf

2011 Fishing Experience Schedule

tom — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:17:30 +0000

We have determined the schedule of Fishing Experiences (FXs) for 2011 as follows:

FX 1-11 3 May-8 May	6 Solo WWs

FX 2-11 26 May-29 May	4-5 Couples

FX 3-11 14 June-19 June	6 Solo WWs

FX 4-11 12 July-17 July	4 Couples

FX 5-11 9 August-14 August	6 Solo WWs

FX 6-11 6 September-12 September	6 Solo WWs

FX 7-11 27 September-3 October	6 Solo WWs

Note that FX 6 & 7 are one day longer than the other solo events. This is so the wounded warriors can attend a Montana State home football game.

IRS Form 990 2009

dave — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:15:09 +0000

Please click the link below to download our IRS Form 990 2009:

2009 IRS Form 990.pdf

2010 Schedule

tom — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:25:52 +0000

We have determined our schedule for the 2010 fishing season.

Our Fishing Experience schedule is:

FX 1-10 11-16 May 6 Warriors
FX 2-10 22-27 June 6 Warriors
FX 3-10 20-25 July 4 Couples
FX 4-10 17-22 August 4 Couples
FX 5-10 14-19 September 6 Warriors
FX 6-10 5-11 October 6 Warriors

WQW Alum Matt Bradford Receives USO Award

dave — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:48:36 +0000

Matt Bradford Honored at USO Gala and Gold Medal Dinner
New York City, December 9, 2009

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.”

Matt Bradford’s Excellent Adventure!

dave — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:18:29 +0000

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!