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Fly-fishing trip to help disabled veterans ‘heal

October trout fishing, creekside barbecue and a stay in a woodland cabin have all of the makings of a weekend vacation.

But for disabled service members, it can be a lifesaver.

Some 20 veterans are set to gather this weekend in Bedford County for a Project Healing Waters trip along Yellow Creek, Bobs Creek and the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. It’s the first outing there for the program, which helps disabled veterans fly fish across the country and even overseas.

“We teach … rod building, fly tying, casting, getting them out in the water as a means of getting them away from their problems and their disabilities for a little bit,” said Jay Breneman, project leader in West Bradford, Chester County. “There are comments you receive: ‘This program saved my life.'”

Project Healing Waters has held several events locally, including at Spruce Creek. But its planned Bedford County trip this weekend — set to bring veterans together from across the state — is the result of lucky coincidence.

Breneman said project leaders contacted Bedford County business owner Jeff Horn through a mutual acquaintance, who introduced them at a fly-fishing show in Lancaster. Horn, co-owner of the Horn O Plenty restaurant near Bedford, offered his resources to sponsor the trip.

“Jeff said, ‘Hey, I would really like to do something for the veterans,'” Breneman said. “He said, ‘Can you get us maybe 20 veterans?’ I said, well, we’ll give it our best shot. And by God, we did.”

The veterans are set to arrive Friday, leaving for day trips to area rivers and streams before returning for dinners and overnight stays in Bedford County cabins.

Fly-fishing trips like these can be important tools in mentally and physically rehabilitating those hurt during their service, Project Healing Waters representatives have explained. It covers vets at every level of expertise, from newcomers to the hobby to those who have to perfect their prior skills with new disabilities.

Since its founding in 2005 for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the project has spread across the U.S. The project’s literature lists at least 11 chapters in Pennsylvania, including one at the Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona.

Regional chapters recruit new participants at inpatient and outpatient centers that serve veterans, Breneman said. More than 7,000 veterans participate, he said, and trips like the one this weekend help spread the word to disabled comrades.

“The title of the program says it all,” he said. “Fly fishing does heal.”

Mirror Staff Writer Ryan Brown is at 946-7457.

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