Military Vets Coming Tuesday For ‘Project Healing Waters’

Members of the public are encouraged to turn out at the county seat on Tuesday (May 24) to welcome 15 military veterans to Potter County for the annual Project Healing Waters fly-fishing experience. Organizers from the God’s Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited and supporters will usher the veterans through Coudersport sometime after 2:30 pm. Potter County Veterans Affairs Director Lenny Kalkbrenner has arranged for a supply of flags to be available for the public at the Gunzburger Building, to be waved when  the vets come through town. To arrange to borrow a flag for the welcoming ceremony, contact Cheri Potter at 274-8290, Extension 207.

Project Healing Waters, based at Big Moore’s Run Fish and Game Preserve, serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery. The program provides basic fly fishing, fly casting and fly tying classes and clinics. All activities and services are free. Fly fishing and tying equipment and materials are provided, including equipment that accommodates special needs. Project Healing Waters founder Navy Captain (Ret.) Ed Nicholson is scheduled to attend this year’s event. Above, God’s Country TU President Pete Ryan (right) shows off one of the big brown trout that one of last year’s Healing Waters participants landed at Big Moores Run.