VFW Post 7507 recently donated $500 to Project Healing Waters (Fly Fishing) to enable this national program to better provide services in Arizona.

Project Healing Waters is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities, including education and outings.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) began in 2005 serving wounded military service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, PHWFF has expanded nationwide, establishing its highly successful program in Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and clinics.

Project Healing Waters brings a high-quality, full-spectrum fly fishing program to an ever-expanding number of disabled active military service personnel across the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, in Military Hospitals and the Warrior Transition Command. Resources are focused on where the need is greatest and expand the partner base in the process.

PHWFF has become recognized as an innovative leader and model in the field of therapeutic outdoor recreation for the disabled, through its successful application of the sport of fly fishing as a rehabilitation tool.

Vietnam Navy veteran and VFW Post 7507 member Sam Chapman has been actively involved with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing for years and has regularly reported on his activities and on the disabled veterans involved.

The positive feedback and stories of healing motivated the post members to make the donation. Members strongly believe in the mottos: “Veterans helping veterans” and “Honor the dead by helping the living.”

The donation to Project Healing Waters is just one of many donations made by the post each year.