I just wanted to take a minute to follow up with this past weekend's Tenn'Clave and Healing Waters activities.

First of all, thank you, the experience that I had this weekend was one I will never forget. I met new people that I am proud to call friends, and that have given me a new perspective on what perseverance and character mean.

I watched SGT Robert Bartlett's story on You Tube last night with my wife, and it makes me proud to be an American, and even more proud to know that many men and women with hearts like Robert's, Will, Billy, Josh, Norris and Jaimie's are fighting for me.

I could never truly thank them enough, so the best I can do is to offer my hand, heart and time. Not only to help them with casting a rod, or tying a fly, but to give them a hug, shake their hand and just listen.

So again I would just like to thank you, Ben, for including me in on a weekend that will forever change my life.

Thank you.

Erik Rogers
2716 Nugget Ct.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
615-516-8002
rogers8799@hotmail.com

Fishing with these folks was so rewarding for me and seeing how excited and anxious the vets were to be “one of the guys” really opened my eyes. Watching someone wade the South Holston on one leg, or cast and handle a fly rod with one arm, or even better yet, tie a fly on with one arm is an overwhelmingly emotional experience and testament to the strength of character and fortitude of our fellow soldiers. I hit my sleeping bag that evening proud to have participated in this event and anxious to get involved in future similar events. I cannot say enough how important a day like this obviously meant to the folks we endeavored to help, but who in turn also taught and gave back to us so much more.

I have a special kinship to the military, having retired from the USAF/ANG after having served almost 39 years myself. When asked by one of our guests, a career active duty Navy Master Chief of 31 years and with one leg, what branch I served in, his response was one I will never forget and one that brought tears to my eyes. He said, “Thank you for your service”.

Gary Hull
817 Bromley Way
Raleigh, NC 27615
919-676-0983
gghull@mindspring.com

When I was contacted by a fellow wounded serviceman at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Amputee Unit and asked if I wanted to go Fly Fishing, my response was a hesitant yes. Why would I hesitate on such an offer? I did not want to look bad in front of others.....we need to get that discriminating thought out of our collective mindsets and get out of our rooms and into the great out of doors and see the world as seen through the eyes of these motivated and dedicated professional sportsmen. This turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and educational weekends I've had the pleasure of being a part of. To see the glorious colors Mother Nature has put on display for our personal pleasure this Fall.

This sport and time honored past time serves as an incredible link to the young and old alike, from professionals in the government to injured Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines who take part as a therapeutic and healthy way to reintegrate into our communities as we transition from a military professional to a private citizen. I would strongly encourage all injured service personnel to make the time to step into the wonders of mother natures bounty and catch and release some glorious specimens from local and private streams.

Master Chief Petty Officer James W. Wilson
United States Navy
Below Knee Amputee
navymagnum1@aol.com

It is hard to describe the feelings I had when sharing time, both on and off the water, with this group of veterans. Meeting these men put not only faces, but also voices and personalities, to the names we usually only read about in the paper or see on TV news. It brought the current war home in a way you can’t just read about. These were great, young and not so young, men who have given more than their share to their country.

Our participating in this Project Healing Waters outing was an expression of our thanks and appreciation of what these men have endured and sacrificed. It was especially touching to see how the veterans, mostly Viet Nam era, of our FF@ group enthusiastically interacted with the veterans from the Project. I was very proud of all of them. To a man, our vets said they would be delighted to do this again. Though not a veteran myself, my father retired from the Navy after more than 30 years and my step-dad served in the Navy in WWII and Korea so I do have great respect for those that have served and are serving every day. I too, look forward to the next time we can host participants from the Healing Waters Project.

Danny Walls
503 Homestead Ln.
S. Lancaster KY 40444
agrdanny@uky.edu

As a non fly-fishing participant at Tenn’Clave, the weekend for me was very special, very moving, and a personally rewarding experience. After the short time we all spent together dining and socializing with my new Veteran friends, it seemed as though we had just spent the weekend as a family attending a family annual reunion. There were lots of hugs, love and laughter throughout the entire group of our friends and miltary guests and and I look forward to staying in touch with each and every one of our new family members. Thanks to all of our warrior heroes and volunteer friends for sharing your time and energies with us. Love you guys. "Miss Betsy".

Betsy Benoit
Nashville, TN
Tenn'Clave Hostess
BBenoit@bankofnashville.com

Attitude is everything.

Last week I had the privilege of attending an invitational event for people involved with Project Healing Waters. PHW is an organization that utilizes fly tying and fly fishing as part of veterans physical and psychological rehabilitation.

I got into PHW about 18 months ago. This was right after my father died. My father, an ex-pow captured at the Battle of the Bulge was the one who introduced me to fishing. An event that began my lifelong passion in the church of the great outdoors. More than just a sport or a pass time, fishing has always been a spiritual experience for me. It's a time when I become centered, grounded and a witness to the mysteries of creation. When I heard of PHW soon after his passing, I knew that I must share the gift he gave me with other men who served their country.

My time with six vets last weekend was truely an inspiration that confirmed my inner prompting 18 months earlier. These brave men forged the waters of the South Houlston River despite having a leg amputated below the knee, one arm, an artificial leg, and finally a glass eye. If you listened to them speak you would not hear a hint of their physical disabilities, only a regular stream of laughter and expressions of gratitude for thier lives.

They taught me alot about the possibilities inherent in a positive attitude. I pray that as my body and mind age and challenge me, I will recall their attitudes and continue to live my life in a passionate manner.

Steve Hanna
2426 Coatsdale Lane
Matthews, NC 28104
704-517-0613
troutnabout@juno.com

I have had the honor of being involved as a pro/guide for Project Healing Waters and serving as the program lead for our group here in Roanoke, Va. I must tell you that every Wounded Warrior that I have met through the program holds a special place in my heart. It was great to see the guys that I had met before at various outings and meet those who were there at Tenn'Clave that I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting before.

This Tenn'clave was especially important to me because, besides being my first, it was the first opportunity that I have had to included one of "my guys" from the Roanoke group. Billy Davis, from wild, wonderful West Virginia, made the trek south and, as far as I could tell, had a great time. The fellowship that you all shared with not only him, but to me and Emily...I just cannot thank you all enough.

Bill ended up with a weekend of firsts...he had never seen a trout before, had never caught one, and had never been to anything like Tenn'Clave. I can only imagine that after catching two nice trout and sharing the time and "brotherhood" that all involved showed him, it won't be his last outing with us.

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to fishing with you all soon!

Chris Rowland
1138 Wasena Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24015
540-330-6519 (Mobil)
dryflying_18@yahoo.com

On 10 October 2008, Ben Benoit, Past President Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers, LTC (RET) Army, Fly Tying Instructor and Host of Tenn'Clave Fly Fishing Weekend hosted the 11th year of Tenn’Clave;  a weekend of fly fishing with friends and Vets on the South Holston River in East Tennessee. 

This year, Project Healing Waters was invited and graciously accepted the offer.  Veterans in attendance were Billy Davis, Will Williams, Robert Bartlett, Jesse Reese, Josh Williams, and Norris Galalas.  John Bass, Chris Rowland, Emily Benfield, Lisa Williams, Jason Baker, and Steve Hanna were there to help those who needed support and guidance on the water.

We all arrived Friday evening and went to dinner and checked into our hotel.  Saturday morning, we all linked up at the campground, to meet all the Tenn'Clave guys that were putting this great event on for us.  A small box of assorted weekend flies and a few other goodies were given to all as a welcome gift.  We enjoyed the breakfast offered by the Claves wives, John Bass's sausage, and Ben's company's coffee shortly after.  We then convoyed to the South Holston River and got right down to business from the banks of Ed "Juddy" Mottern's and River's Way properties. 

The South Holston that day was a very technical river to fish, despite the numbers of trout that cruised our beats. A few of us caught fish, for some their first ever. At lunch time, we were served a stream-side lunch and enjoyed the quality time to bond with our new friends.  We fished until about 1630 Hrs and linked back up at the campground enjoying each other's stories with a wonderful meal of Baby Back Ribs, slaw, green beans, cornbread, mini-southern fried corn cakes.  There were many great raffle gifts so that everyone went home a winner (some 2-3 times!)

Sunday morning, we met up at Cedar Creek in Lebanon, VA.  We needed to get our Vet guys on some trout, and that’s exactly what we did.  They were amazed, and some caught the first trout they’ve ever seen!  The guys had a blast!  This was nothing but a success. 

Billy Davis, West VA, Viet Nam Vet

Thanks to the hospitality of Ben and his wife Betsy, as well as to their Tenn'Clave friends that volunteered and made this weekend special for us. It was truly a great weekend for all!

Joshua Williams SSG USA (RET)

Thanks for the event! It was a great event that will be cherished by both our Wounded Warriors and volunteers! I look forward to seeing the Middle Tennessee Chapter develop and join you guys in future outings. You touched some lives fellas; great work!

Jason Baker
Fly Fishing Guide
jasonbaker@comporium.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jbaker71
Ft. Mill, SC
Mobile: 206.850.8045

I would like to personally thank the men and women who made the Project Healing Waters and Tenn'Clave events possible. Its great to know that Mother Nature still has its healing touches even in this world we live in today. It was great to get out and catch fish with a special group of people that I will never forget. I challenge each and and every person who has the chance to be involved with this project to participate, the feeling is unbelievable and one that you will never forget!

Jamie Reese Cpl USMC (RET)
Below Knee Amputee
Ashville, NC
jereese@charterinternet.com
828-301-9435

I had previously seen a few articles about fishing with disabled veterans, but I had no idea how rewarding this could be. I enjoyed fishing with Navy Master Chief Will Wilson at Tenn'Clave.

Well, we never really got much of a chance to do much fishing, most of the time was spent with me trying to learn how to teach someone to cast a flyrod. I had never actually tried to explain to someone else how to cast a flyrod. After about 2 or 3 hrours I was finally learning how to communicate to the Master Chief what I knew but just couldn't put into words. I again met the Master Chief last weekend again in Spruce Creek, PA. He obviously had somehow learned from my jibberish at Tenn'Clave. Yes, he actually got to catch a fish at Spruce Creek.

I would like to thank the following veterans: Josh Williams, Jamie Reese, Billy Davis, Robert Bartlett, Will Wilson, and Brian Mancini (met for the first time this past weekend on Spruce Creek) for giving me the opportunity to find out how rewarding the Healing Waters Progam is for the volunteers as well as for the Vets. I would also like to  thank John Bass for all the hard work he puts in to coordinating the logistics of this program and his diligent work to ensure this program continues.

I would also like to thank Ben Benoit for encorporating the Project Healing Waters program into this year's Tenn'Clave activities. Most of us would have never had the opportunity to experience this wonderful program if Ben hadn't shoved it down our throats. Also, many thanks to Betsy Benoit, Peggy Walls and Rose Misch for their work behind the scenes, preparing the wonderful Breakfast and Dinner we all enjoyed with the Vets.

Dale F. Bonney
416 Fairway Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 691-1881
d.bonney@verizon.net

Thoughts on the Tenn' Clave.

Anticipation is a good thing. In the case of Ben Benoit and his group of internet fly fisherman it could not have been better.

Ben contacted Project Healing Waters about carrying some of our veterans to the South Holston for a day on the river. I met Ben & Betsy Friday evening along with Jamie Reese, Billy Davis, Steve Hanna and Jason Baker. It was quite apparent from the first handshake that Ben had his heart in the right place. After a dinner at Allisions Restaurant we planned our day starting at 8 AM.

Saturday morning I picked up our troops which had swelled to include Josh Williams and Norris Galatas. We were met at the campground by a very enthusiastic group of fisherman and women. After a great breakfast of sausage, pancakes and eggs we were off to the fabled SoHo.

We met Juddy Mottern who had offered his beautiful stretch of the river for our personal use for the day. Juddy could not have been nicer. Not only did he offer us his property for the day but for any future outing for us or our newly formed programs in Tennessee.

After leaving some of our soldiers at Juddy’s we moved across the river to Rivers Way graciously offered to us by Tom Hanlon. I have floated by this property before but that does not do it justice. It truly is one of the gems on the SoHo. The fellows got ready and the fishing was on. Tom has offered us their property for future trips.

Around 12 o’clock the ladies provided us with a GREAT river side lunch. I did not know sandwiches could be that good. It was about this time that Robert Bartlett and Will Wilson arrived from DC. Will our newest member had never fished for trout and to see him in the river with crutches under each arm was quite a sight and one I will remember for a long time.

I must now brag on Jamie Reese (USMC) never having fly fished before he was the first and I believe only veterans to catch a fish. Fishing 22/24 flies is hard even for an accomplished angler. Jamie caught a beautiful rainbow. I don’t know who was smiling more us or Jamie.

Around 4:00PM we loaded up for our trip back to the campgrounds. We were greeted with some cold drinks and great snacks. It was here that the BS was spread very thick. There were some great stories told that will live forever.

Around 6:30 we were treated to BBQ ribs and all the trimmings. It was as good as it gets. After dinner there was a toast made to Old Jack Daniels and toast and tributes were made by members of the Clave and our band of soldiers. There was a raffle and gifts were received by all.

God put us on this earth for a purpose. I truly think the members of the Clave have found what I have found. It truly is better to give than receive. For this PHW and our veterans we will be forever grateful. God Bless.

John Bass
PHW Mid-South Regional Coordinator
PHW Trustee
jbass1861@earthlink.net

It was my privilege to meet our veterans at Tenn'Clave through Project Healing Waters. I was honored to be able to give back to them and let them know that there are those of us that are grateful for what they did (do) for us and the sacrifices they have made in serving our country. Although, I was behind the scenes, I did get to meet a few of the veterans. They were most gracious, kind, funny and pleasant. They did not allow their disability to get them down or deter them from what they wanted to do……fly-fishing! I heard a great time was had by ALL. A most gracious “THANK YOU” goes out to all that volunteered their time that day. And to the veterans that I got to meet and to those that I did not, I say, let’s do this again next year. I’m sure all of the veterans will be expert fly-fishermen by that time!!

Peggy H. Walls
503 Homestead Ln.
S. Lancaster KY 40444
phwalls@emrmc.org