Project Healing Waters Mission Statement: We are dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.
Yamsi Ranch: Established in 1911 and is a +5000 acre ranch. The Williamson river is fed from 5 natural springs located on the ranch releasing 45 cubic feet of water every second. The water stays 42 degrees all year and is unaffected by changes in the weather. The drive to the fishing spot is around 7 miles from the lodging and the river itself is 12 miles long.
About a month ago I was asked if I would like to attend an event put on by Project Healing Waters at Yamsi Ranch in Chiloquin Oregon. I would be capturing the moments of the trip from campfire to reeling in their catches. I did my best to research the ranch and Project Healing Waters to have some sort of expectation in my head. This trip was focused on veterans with TBI and other brain injuries. Along with the veterans there would be a handful of volunteers working to help cook meals and be there for support. Even wth all my research, I really had no idea what to expect. All I knew was I was probably going to be the only non-veteran and that I was going to be humbled.
Upon arriving I was the new guy and trying to find my place among these men and women. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be accepted or even talked to very much because of my lack of service for our country. I figured the best I could do is remember my place and try to make conversation the best I could. On top of not being a veteran, I don’t fish!
I was pleasantly surprised that everyone was engaging and I didn’t feel like an outsider. What I did feel was humbled to be in the presence of these men and women that are all suffering quietly as a result of protecting our freedom. Not sure how to describe the feeling of being around them knowing they have done something so great as to give up a normal life for our country. For this reason i was glad I could contribute my skills to help capture their experiences.
A lot of our veterans are suffering quietly from traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Walking in not knowing any of these men prior to service, they all seem normal enough to me; maybe a bit on the quiet side. But that is probably more the fact they don’t know me or everyone completely well. I did take the opportunity to ask some questions without invading their privacy or digging too deep. I wanted to be able to share something more about this trip. Here are a few things I learned.
As mentioned above, all participants brought something back from the war they are silently suffering with. Some hear ringing in their ears and prevents them from sleeping. Others suffering from some level of PTSD (5 levels of PTSD)and have a hard time coping with day to day life. Going to work and interacting with others, is not that easy anymore for them. Most of the veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD and are flagged as unemployable and therefore they do not have a job to keep them busy throughout the day. For a few of them (that I talked to), they still stay busy using their skills and abilities to help other veterans and members of their community.
Some of the men attending, were subject to roadside bombs while out patrolling. Bombs that would destroy a normal car, but their Humvees absorbed a lot of the energy and passed it onto the soldiers inside. If you are a Purple Heart recipient your household has the opportunity to go to college for free.
Here is the real tragedy of war. These men and women dodge bullets, suicide bombers, IEDs and make it home and then they find they cannot cope with day to day life and make a decision to no longer be on this earth. The rate of suicide for veterans is twice what it is for civilians. Every 31 seconds someone attempts suicide and every 11.9 minutes someone is successful. Everyday in our country we lose 20 men and women to suicide.
To be able to get out on the water and fish you first must learn to tie flies. PHW supplies the participants with all the materials they need to complete the 6 levels of fly tying. After you are done you have a tackle box full of flies you can fish with. I likened fly fishing to my photography. Fly tying is like editing photos; your chaotic world is reduced to the vice or for me the computer screen. You are using your creative side, attention to detail to complete your task. Your mind becomes hyper focused and all other concerns are put on the back burner. For fisherman and photographers, when you are working on catching fish or photographing something our worlds are reduced to the real estate we have just in front of us. I think the time spent tying flies or fishing helps the vets to put their problems on a shelf for a few hours.
Being at Yamsi ranch, gives the veterans a chance to be around other vets that are having the same challenges and seems like a chance to leave their wounds at the door for a few days. Just about everything is covered by PHW. All you need is a sleeping accommodations, and a way to get there. 100% of your donations to PHW goes to the veterans to be able to participate. So no need to bring food or fishing gear. All of that is supplied for you. The volunteers are there to help cook and clean and make this a better experience.
I spoke to Kent Toomb and asked him if he could sum up PHW in one word. A difficult task for him, so he gave me a couple. Kent, is a volunteer and helps lead the Salem chapter of PHW. He is also passionate about fly fishing and it provides him an escape from the concrete jungle. Kent said these trips are about family, they are about sharing his passion and skills for fishing and they provide an escape for him and the vets. Much like Kent, all the volunteers seem to be obsessive about fly fishing and are like Dave Matthew fans following the fish around the country.
In conclusion this was a fun trip and I learned a few things along the way. This was my first time being in a space with that many veterans and I was humbled to my core. You really get a sense the war continues and these men and women are fighting it still with lost limbs or brain injuries. To thank a veteran for his or her service is important, but getting involved and being hands on is a whole other level of thank you. They fought for our freedom and will continue fighting for years to come. A couple of hours or a couple days will go a long way showing your appreciation.