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A Dispatch from Kodiak, Alaska

December 14, 2017

Last July, I had the privilege of traveling to Kodiak, Alaska to present the Coast Guard’s Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA) our prestigious PHWFF Patriot Award. Long overdue, since their Association has been hosting 6 of our PHWFF participants for the past 8 years – all expenses paid for by the CPOA.  Boatswains mate CPO (RET) Vic Laird, has been the organizer of this event since it got started, and now having met him, I can see why the trip has been so successful. The one week stay on Kodiak brings our participants out on the salt water for halibut, ling cod, rock fish and salmon. After the first warm up day of catching those varieties, it’s time to load up on 4 wheelers and head 15 miles to the Saltery River to have a go at the migrating Sockeye Salmon. That 15 mile trip was a thrilling experience in its own right. The road, if you want to call it that, was built by the Army during World War II, since we thought Kodiak was the next stop for the Japanese in the Aleutians. That “road” hasn’t been maintained since then and you can well imagine what kind of shape it is in. I’ve developed a whole new admiration for the 4 Wheelers that navigated that road – incredible beasts.

We all made to our accommodations near the Saltery where two delightful volunteer ladies had prepared a delicious meal for the evening. Similar scrumptious  meals  were provided throughout our stay.  Our participant  veteran group, consisting of Rica Gaines, Chris Westerberg, Larry Willard, Toni Wallis, Mark Middleton, and Bill Hopkins, were ready to go for the Sockeye the next day. Vic had a slew of experienced Coast Guard Guides on hand who knew the ways of the fish and, more importantly how to catch them. They also knew how to deal with Kodiak’s ever present salmon fisher, the Kodiak Brown Bear, should the occasion arise. I might add that bears were seen, but no thrilling tales are here to be told. As mentioned, the manner in which you catch Sockeye is by “flossing” them. Sockeye run 4 or 5 LBs and love to do battle with your fly rod. Since they do not consume typical bait, and are off their feed anyway, you must catch them by pulling your fly across the water column, in their path as they swim upstream . To be legal, the fly must lodge in their jaw. Anywhere else is a foul hook and the fish must be released. After a while, you get the hang of it, and when the fish are moving (which they were most of the time), you start catching.

After 3 days of fun fishing and catching, it’s back to the Coast Guard Base, a day on the local waters, and then the Friday night farewell dinner at the Base Club. It was at that dinner I was able to recognize the incredible effort that the Coast Guard personnel have been making over the past 8 years, and personally thanking this year’s “Coasties” for the  wonderful, unforgettable experience that they provided all of us. What a great group of men and women who would devote a week of each year to help our disabled veterans heal in not to be forgotten manner. It was a most pleasurable  and rewarding experience to present the CPOA with the Patriot Award. Well Deserved!

Related: Kodiak Chief Petty Officers Association of Kodiak casts a lifeline to veterans

John R. Bass: A Tribute 1950 – 2017

September 15, 2017

It was over ten years ago that while I was walking my dogs, I received a call from a gentleman with a very pronounced southern drawl. Introducing himself as John Bass, he went on to say that he was an ardent fly fisher, not-withstanding the fact that he had been a quadriplegic, confined to a chair, since he was 24 years old. After telling his story, he got to the point, saying he had learned of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) and wanted to help. That conversation was the start of a quite remarkable collaboration and a very close personal friendship. In enlisting John’s support, I didn’t know at the time just how incredible the following years would define what John lived to accomplish for PHWFF, and for the many individual participants and families whose lives he touched. His first effort was a trip from North Carolina to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he talked to the recovering servicemen and women and encouraged them to think beyond their injuries and accept, like he had, the realities of their new condition, and move on.

Within a short period of time, John became one of our Program Leads, a Regional Coordinator, and ultimately a member of our Board of Trustees. Always looking for ways to help bring the healing properties of PHWFF to as many wounded and disabled active service and veterans alike, John was not one to quibble and could always be counted upon to say things straight out. Along with his Project duties, he became an incredible personal mentor to many of our participants and their families. Even now I’m not really sure how many lives he touched and helped through adversarial times. I know many by name, but not all. He never made a point of having a spotlight shine on him.

He was an incredible man, a dear friend to me and my wife, and his loss leaves us so grateful for that long-ago call he made. “Captain, this is John Bass calling.  I want to help”.

Rest in peace dear friend.

Ed Nicholson, Founder and President Emeritus


In 2010, John Bass received the Patriot Award, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing’s (PHWFF) highest level of recognition, for his sustained support of PHWFF’s mission and activities.

The Patriot Award was presented to John by retired Navy Captain Ed Nicholson, President Emeritus and Founder of PHWFF, in appreciation of his personal dedication and commitment to the rehabilitation of our wounded active duty service men and women, and disabled veterans.

An avid fly fisherman, Mr. Bass was injured in 1974, in a diving accident that left him paralyzed. Subsequently, through perseverance and incredible determination, John was able to use adaptive techniques to allow him to fly fish again. Since his involvement with PHWFF, he has mentored, motivated, and supported wounded warriors and disabled veterans participating in PHWFF’s fly fishing activities. Through his unselfish and caring actions, he has served as an inspiration to all volunteers associated with our program.

Remembering Steve Ladd

June 7, 2017

 

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing has lost a dear friend. Steve Ladd died suddenly this past week while on a fishing outing near one of his favorite fishing locations in Michigan. I met Steve by happenstance at the airport in Buenos Aires as our PHWFF fishing party was departing for home after a memorable fishing trip on the waters of Patagonia. It was one of those wonderful two for one opportunities offered by the outfitter. We had four disabled vets on the trip with us, and Steve, who was also heading home, came over to find out what we were all about. That conversation resulted, shortly after he returned home, in an invitation to bring our participants to the Flint Rainbow Club located in Baldwin, MI – right on the Pere Marquette. Trout, Salmon, Steelhead, a veritable smorgasbord of prime fishing. Thus, in 2010, PHWFF, hosted by the Flint Rainbow Club, planned and organized by Steve, has PHWFF returning each year with another group of disabled veterans. Steve took care of all of the details – marshaling the guides from Chuck Hawkins’ Outfitting, who, ever willing to contribute, would show each year as a new group arrived; arranging the lodging at the club, the meals, and all other incidentals to insure that the trip went off without a hitch. He gave of himself tirelessly. Along the way he would spend endless hours, one on one, with the participants, getting to know each of them – extending himself in a helping matter both on the trip and later as he kept in touch and corresponded with them. Steve also went far beyond in supporting PHWFF. He arranged for a marketing firm to help us with a big project and later was instrumental in initiating a dinner fundraiser (Healing on the Fly) which successfully raised funds for PHWFF in the Detroit area.

Steve could always be counted upon to help in whatever manner he could with PHWFF. We all mourn his loss, recognized as a Patriot Award winner, an avid and dedicated supporter, and on a personal level a true and honored friend. – Ed Nicholson, Founder and President Emeritus, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing —  7 June 2017

steve-ladd-and-the-team

 

Stephen McVey Ladd, age 77, of Carson City, Michigan, where he was respected and loved, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the Manistee River while pursuing his passion of fly fishing. He was born February 14, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Bruce and Dorothy (Dyer) Ladd. Steve owned and operated Ladd Enterprises, Inc for over 30 years, working as a hospital consultant all across the Nation.

Steve was an avid golfer, pheasant hunter and fly fisherman and through his various pursuits, he traveled the world. He was a member of the Flint Rainbow Club on the Pere Marquette River in Baldwin. In his retirement, he was dedicated to the works of Project Healing Waters, an organization that helps wounded Veterans heal through fly fishing.  Memorial contributions may be made to Project Healing Waters by clicking here or Carson City Crystal High School Clay Target Team 213 E. Sherman St. Carson City, MI 48811.

Steve was gifted with many talents. He was an artist, photographer, and he enjoyed sailing the waters of Lake Michigan. He participated in and celebrated the successful completion of the Chicago Yacht Club’s race to Mackinac. Steve also loved his Chicago Cubs and was elated to have been able to see them win the World Series in 2016, fulfilling a life-long dream for him.

Steve is survived by the love of his life for the past 30 years, Roberta McKenna Jensen of Carson City; her sons, Mark (Samantha) Jensen, Tad (Chelsea Jones) Jensen and Jared Jensen; three children, Scott (Dawn) Ladd, Stephenie (Shawn) Scholl, Jennifer Lynn Ladd; six grandchildren, Clinton, Franklin, Tabor, Tyler, Liam, Nieve; great-grandchildren, Reagan, Calvin, LahKari; two brothers, Bruce (Dolly) Ladd, Bart (Janice) Ladd; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Stuart.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 12 noon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 404 N. Division St. Carson City, MI 48811. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8 from 2-4 and 6-8pm at Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Carson City with a Rosary beginning at 7:30 pm and on Friday, June 9, from 11 am until the time of services at the church. 

COO David Folkerts presenting Steve Ladd with our highest honor, The Patriot Award

COO David Folkerts presenting Steve Ladd with our highest honor, The Patriot Award

The Brian I Knew

March 15, 2017

Brian Mancini was a beloved member of the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing family who passed away on March 6, 2017.  He will be deeply missed.  Remembering SFC Brian Mancini, U.S. Army (ret)

His funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Christ Church of the Valley in Peoria, AZ.  Below is a remembrance and tribute offered at the service:

My name is Ed Nicholson, Founder and President of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.  I spent my career in the Navy.

With so many friends of Brian here today, all of whom would be able to relate their own remembrances and tribute to Brian, I feel most honored and humbled to have been asked by his family to speak.

I first knew Brian in 2008, when he was recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, as a patient in the Occupational Therapy Clinic.  Project Healing Waters had been helping in the recovery of patients there since 2005 and I would, along with other volunteers, go there every week to teach fly fishing.  Brian joined the group, and as was the case, never having fly fished, was invited to an annual 2-Fly Tournament at Rose River Farm to observe what fly fishing was all about.  The timing was such that he would not actually be part of the competition but, when the competition was over, Brian had had enough “watching”, grabbed a fly rod, and with a little fly fishing help, descended into the Gazebo Pool.  It was dark before we could finally, physically, get Brian out the water.  Fly fishing had hooked him good.  I might add that this very pool, the most popular pool on Rose River, Project Healing Waters’ Home Waters, is to be renamed for Brian at this year’s 2-Fly, and a plaque, with a quote from one of his poems, fixed to a granite stone from the Blue Ridge Mountains, to hold his name there for all time.

From that moment at Rose River a committed fly fisher, and recognizing the restorative powers of our project, Brian became an enthusiastic participant and, in short order, began volunteering and helping me recruit and teach at Walter Reed.  He was a natural at this – articulate, persuasive, and a compelling advocate and mentor for other recovering service men and women.  As we worked together, a deep friendship developed between us.  It also became evident that his attachment to Project Healing Waters did not limit his true and passionate commitment to further helping, by other means, individuals who had been scarred by the wars, past and present.  Brian was an idea man, and he had decided that there must be some way that he, personally, could reach out and help those struggling with the trials associated with recovery – the unresponsive healthcare systems, the over-reliance on medications, and the failure of many to be able to successfully obtain a job, to name but a few challenges, and re-integrate back into society.  In addition to fly fishing, he was attracted to other non-traditional forms of rehabilitating therapies – yoga, meditation, and other outdoor recreational activities.

Brian and I spent many hours discussing these important issues, oftentimes on fishing outings that took us, and our mutual friends, to wonderful fly fishing locations, on picturesque waters, made even more special by the shared camaraderie of fellow volunteer fly fishers and participant veterans.

It was difficult for all of us on the East Coast to see Brian depart and return to Phoenix, but we knew he would continue in his efforts to touch and help disabled veterans.  His founding of Honor House further exemplifies the care and commitment he personally attached to improving the lives of his fellow comrades, standing as a remarkable achievement and testament to his respect and admiration for our country’s disabled service men and women.  He gave all of himself and then some.  His work on behalf of his service brothers and sisters epitomizes all that is noble and good.  He will always be remembered and held in the highest esteem by me and his many friends.

Brother, we bid you farewell – long-remembered, never-forgotten – rest now in peace.

Edwin P. Nicholson
Captain, USN (Ret.)
14 March 2017

Brian’s family have established a Go Fund Me campaign to aide with expenses during this difficult time. Visit it at https://www.gofundme.com/brian-mancini

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