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KCWA supports fly fishing outing for veterans

By BREANNA HANLEY bhanley@lockhaven.com 6 min read

CROSS FORK -- Fly fishing can be so much more than just a fun hobby. It can also be a way to heal and find yourself.

The Kettle Creek Watershed Association sponsors the annual Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing outing, bringing veterans together in the Kettle Creek valley.

The community of Cross Fork, the Kettle Creek Hose Co. and the countless volunteers and mentors have helped to make this event possible and support it year after year.

"The reception into the town was wonderful -- these are some of the biggest fish I've seen. For some of these guys this is their first chance to open up and start to release some of the stress they've had in their lives. Any time we get to do this is a great feeling," said Jason Medsger, active duty Air Force Colonel.

Chuck Kramer, retired Air Force first sergeant, first found Project Healing Waters in 2019 -- just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"People come to us and it's very humbling. They thank us for our service. When an event like this happens and the community and volunteers come together -- Holy crap, it's thank YOU for thinking about us and making us feel special. When the people come out and actually do something, that's a step up. That means a lot to us," said Kramer.

The program itself is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military personnel and disabled veterans.

Project Healing Waters helps to rehabilitate these service men and women by introducing them to fly fishing; all of the activities, housing, meals and fishing supplies are provided at no cost to the participants.

The veterans participating in the event enjoy world class fly fishing in the beautiful Kettle Creek valley and get a chance to enjoy relaxation in the Kettle Creek Adventures Lodge and B&B.

The event starts with a Patriot Parade to show support for the veterans in attendance, escorted by fire trucks and combat veterans on motorcycles.

The veterans and those who wanted to support them lined up on 15th Street in Renovo next to Lingle's Neighborhood Market, adding flags to their cars to show their involvement in the Patriot Parade.

The Patriot Parade was then escorted up Route 120 to Westport, and from there to Kettle Creek valley and to Cross Fork.

AJ Settlemyer, Commander of the Altoona chapter of Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, was among the first vehicles that spectators would see in the parade -- leading the pack with the other six motorcycles.

"We try to come up every year and participate. We're mostly from the Altoona area. We try not to miss it every year," said Settlemyer, "It's a great event."

Their motto is simple: Veterans Helping Veterans.

The CVMA are from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. Their mission is to support and protect those who have defended our country and freedoms and provide assistance to individual veterans, veteran care facilities, veteran organizations and registered charities.

The path the parade rode through had many people standing outside of their houses to show support -- some saluted the cars as they passed, some waved flags or held up signs -- everyone showed their support for those who have served.

"Project Healing Waters is a way to give back to veterans and to get new life into the watershed programs that people can see in the community. It's brought the community together -- focussing and volunteering with (the event.) We couldn't do this without the support of the local community," said Jim Toth, Project Healing Waters coordinator.

One of the most important -- if not THE most important -- aspects of Project Healing Waters is the companionship it brings with it; the majority of those in attendance agreed.

"Some of these guys have never met each other before," said Medsger, "They all have a different story, but they all have one thing in common -- the camaraderie you see in the military. That's something you can only get in the military. When you break away for whatever reason, the one thing everyone misses is this. I am 100% sure new friends are going to be made here."

"I was looking for something to reconnect, there was that part of my life that I'd had for so many years just gone. It's been a Godsend -- you miss that comradery that you get in the military. Some of these folks I've never met before, and I know by the end of the weekend we're going to be ripping on each other. Getting together for something like this brings that closeness back," said Kramer.

Other veterans who were in attendance said similar things about the comradery found at these events and in the military as a whole.

"I got out of the Army in 2012 and had a really hard time adjusting -- a lot of the PTSD and depression… I had to find myself again. It was great to get connected and reconnected with other veterans who love to fish. It's been a fantastic thing for me. The community has really come together and welcomed us," said Scott Winters.

If the veterans are able to, they help to stock brook and rainbow trout in the creek -- carrying them down to the water in buckets and releasing them to be caught the next day.

"A lot of the veterans have told me they've never stocked fish before, or that they've never seen them stocked," said Toth, "They're welcome to try if they want. The whole community comes out for it -- adults and kids and dogs."

The next day, veterans met up with their mentors and spent the day fishing.

"It's a one-on-one fishing situation," described Toth, "Mentors help veterans with anything they need -- from lacing their boots in the morning to netting the fish they catch."

Veterans and their mentors fish until they're hungry, and then they're invited to eat lunch at the fire hall or keep fishing until 4 p.m. when they're invited to rest up for the banquet to be held that night.

The next day, those participating are invited to have breakfast and fish until noon, and then they're given a boxed lunch for their drive home.

"The event speaks for itself," said Toth, "It's a great event and so many people come out."

"I can only hope someone does this for me when I retire," said Medsger.

For more information about the event, or how you can help for next year's, visit kettlecreek.org/project-healing-waters.html

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