Steve McCombs U.S. Army| 1997-2019 Fort Belvoir Program/ National Capital Region Stephen McCombs was born in McDonald, OH (1970), graduated from North East High School, North East, PA (1988) and attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. In 1993 he went to work for UPS as an unloader and has remained a valuable employee for the past 27 years. During his time at UPS he had a strong desire to serve his nation. So in 1997, he enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard as a Radio Operator. After his initial enlistment (1997-2003) he left the Guard for the US Army Reserves. In 2004 he attended and graduated Drill Sergeant School. During his time with the 80th Division (DS)(IT), his unit was selected to deploy in support of OIF 3-4 as a member of a Military Transition Unit (MiTT) charged with training the Iraqi Army. His duties were to train the Iraqi Army on communications as well as support them on ground during daily operations. After returning from Iraq Steve was commissioned as a Wobbly One, branching Signal Corp, 5 March 2008. He again deployed in 2012-2013 and 2014-2015 as a part of a Cyber Assistance Team (CAT). As a CAT he traveled to more than eight countries within the US Army Central (ARCENT) area of operation (AOR) to perform network vulnerability assessments on the US Army’s overall network health. Steve, returned to DEMOB site at FT Bliss, TX where he was medically evaluated and was sent the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) at FT Belvoir, VA. He spent three and half years there for medical treatment. While at the WTB he participated in Project Healing Waters (PHW) for over three years. He believes that PHW provides an outlet for learning a new lifetime hobby along with a support group of fellow Soldiers and Volunteers. Steve was medically retired 11 March 2019 with 21 years of service.

Daniel Elliott USMC | 2009- Present Quantico, VA Daniel Elliott was born January 2nd, 1991 in Horseheads, NY. Immediately after graduating high school, Daniel joined the Marine Corps in 2009 and was sent Boot Camp aboard MCRD Parris Island, Sc. Following graduation from Boot Camp and Marine Combat Training, Daniel was sent to his MOS school in Ft. Sill, Ok where he would become a 0811, Field Artilleryman. Upon graduating MOS School, Daniel was sent to 5th Battalion 11th Marines aboard MCRD Camp Pendleton, Ca. While assigned to 5/11, he was a section chief and deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2011-2012 and again in 2012-2013. In 2014, Daniel reported to Marine Security Guard School and was stationed at U.S. Embassy Lisbon, Portugal for one year until he was assigned orders to Marine Security Augmentation Unit in Quantico, Va. While at MSAU, he was immediately promoted to his current rank as Staff Sergeant where he has served as a Detachment Commander on 12 various overseas missions to Africa, Asia and Europe. Currently, Daniel Serves as the MSAU Chief Instructor for its Indoctrination Training Course and is in the midst of medical separation due injuries sustained while on Active Duty. With new physical limitations and love for the outdoors, Daniel Elliott embarked on his Fly Fishing journey in 2018 and joined PHWFF in September of 2019. Since then, he has been actively involved with PHWFF and the sport of Fly Fishing. So far his biggest accomplishment has been catching a Rainbow Trout on a fly tied at PHWFF and building his first Fly Rod. For Daniel, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing has been a resource of camaraderie and a conduit of knowledge to fuel a newly found passion.

Fred Larson US Army | 1967 - 1970 Fred was born in the town of Laurens, Iowa. He spent his younger years enjoying fishing, hunting, trapping and being outdoors. He joined the Cub Scouts and later, the Boy Scouts. After graduating high school he worked construction for a year until he could join the Army. He completed his basic training at Fort Campbell Kentucky and went on to Fort Leonard Wood where he attended carpenter school. He was transferred to Vietnam for the next year where he drove for and guarded his sub-sector commander. While there he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. On returning to the United States he was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. Upon release from the Army he went back into construction where he went from being a carpenter to owning his own construction company. The first company went out of business due to a divorce. He then moved across the state and started a second construction business that was more specialized. The business was doing well when he became ill and was hospitalized in a VA hospital in Des Moines Iowa for eleven months. When he was released from the hospital he moved to Alaska. There he turned to retail for a living; selling first archery equipment and then fire arms. After twelve years of that he opened his own archery shop. He ran that for two years gaining a wife and an appreciation for the joy of teaching archery to young and old. When the store closed he began working for a security company driving an armored truck. For fifteen years he drove in every type of weather never having an accident or incident. When the diabetes he got from agent orange got worse, he was forced to go on insulin, and because of that, he was forced to retire. Shortly after retiring he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He was in expert hands at the VA hospital in Anchorage and since the cancer was discovered early he was treated surgically. The doctor removed half of his colon and resected it successfully. It was a lengthy recovery, but all traces of the cancer seem to be gone but he will have to be monitored yearly from now on. Since recovering he has spent his time fly fishing. It has been his go-to sport ever since being introduced to popper fishing with his grandfather’s bamboo rod for small mouth bass when he was a child. A minor heart attack has forced him to slow down a bit and he started tying flies for a hobby. He really enjoys catching trout and grayling on a fly he tied. He has even caught silver salmon on his fly rod with a modified lefty’s deceiver he tied while fishing with friends on their boat in Prince William Sound. While taking a PTSD class he learned about Healing Waters and he discovered a wonderful organization that has helped him mentally and spiritually. Through Project Healing Waters, he has met and made friends with other veterans healing from their scars through fly fishing. The instructors have improved and refined his fly tying techniques and introduced him to the building of fly rods. The joy of catching a fish on your own rod and your own fly is unbelievable.

Jim Short U.S. Army| 1975-1995 Murfreesboro Program/ TN Valley Region Jim was born on July 2, 1941 in Lawrenceburg, TN. He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1959. After graduation from high school, he worked in the building trade for two years. In 1961, he attended Southern Academy of Clinical Technology, Nashville, TN, graduating in 1962, passing the registration that same year. He worked at Regional Hospital for a year before taking a civilian position in 1963 with U. S. Airforce as their medical technologist. He left the Air Force after eleven years, joining the U.S. Army in 1975. He served at the Seventh Medical Command, Frankfurt, Germany from 1977-1980. For the next nine and half years, he served at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas as a Cardiac Technologist. Jim was asked to join the staff in San Antonia, TX at the U.S. Army’s Medical School’s Academy of Health Science as an instructor and taught “Human Electrophysiology”. After three year and half years of teaching, he was promoted to Master Sergeant which meant he was out of a job. The Army needed a medical planner at Fort Richardson, Alaska for the Sixth Infantry Division. He filled that position from 1993-1994. In July, 1994, Jim was transferred to Fort Campbell, KY and the 101st Airborne, Air Assault Division. Jim remained at Fort Campbell, KY until his retirement in 1995. Upon retirement, Jim received his Fifth Meritorious Service Award to accompany several other awards. Jim continued his education after retirement obtaining two additional degrees. This paved the way for a position with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture as a part time job teaching Cascade High School in Wartrace, Tn. Jim is now serving his community in two veteran organizations. The Disabled American Veterans and American Legion. He is the adjutant for the DAV and the finance officer for the American Legion. Jim became associated with PHWFF in 2016. This association has been a wonderful way for him to forget pressure and a great healing process for his multiple service connected injuries. Being an avid fly fisherman for sixty-seven years, he enjoys teaching our core activities at the Alvin C. York Va Hospital in Murfreesboro. He teaches twice per month all aspects of our program at the Drug and Rehab program. He is a great assets to the Murfreesboro program.

United States Marine Corps | September 2002 – October 2014 Project Healing Waters Winston-Salem, NC Joshua Barrett was born Sept 7, 1984 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He graduated high school from Lake Forest High School in 2002. He then joined the United States Marine Corps in 2002 and attended boot camp at Parris Island. He went to Engineer School at Camp Lejeune, NC. Joshua was stationed with 12th Marine Regiment on Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan in 2003. In 2007 he was stationed with MASS-1 aboard MCAS Cherry Point, NC where he served as the Utilities Chief until September of 2008. He was then sent to 2nd Marine Division Head Quarters, where he deployed as the lead engineer on a Military Transition Team training the Iraqi Army and securing Mosul Iraq from September 2008 until November 2009. Joshua was stationed at Marine Corps School of Infantry from May 2010 until October 2014. While stationed with the School of Infantry he served as Platoon Commander for India Company, a Weapons instructor and the Simulated Marksmen Training Chief Instructor. Joshua joined PHWFF Winston-Salem Chapter February 2017. He is rated 100% permanent and total with the VA for spinal injuries, TBI, and shrapnel for injuries sustained while serving on active duty. Since joining the program he has found a place as a vet and helping volunteer, aiding his fellow vets. He volunteers with the Trout in the Classroom Program. He was part of the Smokey Mountain Grand Slam in October 2017 where he placed third in the tournament and received a plaque for completing a Grand Slam in the tournament. He has a great passion for building fly rods. Joshua has been approached by many of the vets and sponsors alike to help restore bamboo fly rods for them. PHWFF has given Joshua a positive place to open up and gave him a new passion. Since joining PHWFF Joshua has become more social and outgoing with a will to go out and explore new things to do with people he otherwise would not have done. He has made new life long friends and family to keep him and them in a better place of mind with a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie that most service members feel they lose when leaving service.

Mike Bertell U.S. Army| 1969-1971 Sepulveda Program/ Southwest Region Mike Bertell is a Vietnam combat veteran, who served in the U.S. Army from September, 1969 - August, 1971. His first assignment was with the 4/9th Battalion 25th Infantry Division. He was reassigned within two months to the 1/327th Battalion 101st Airborne Division. Most of his time in country was spent in the jungles of Vietnam. His unit suffered catastrophic damage from friendly fire on December 24, 1970. Mike was fortunate to survive the incident and receive an honorable discharge in August, 1971. For his service, Mike received the Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Air Medal. Mike works toward healing himself and others through his volunteer leadership of Point Man Antelope Valley (PMAV). He leads weekly meetings that allow military veterans of all ages to meet in a safe environment to share stories and help each other heal. As Outpost Leader, Mike attends local Stand Down events, participates in the High Desert Medical Group Annual Senior Expo, and assists at various veterans outreach programs. In 2015, he attended a Suicide Prevention Training program to assist him in his work with local veterans. Mike’s efforts enable local veterans to get the help they seek so they may lead productive lives. PMAV also provides financial support and family therapy. From 1992 through 2012, Mike was an active member of the Lancaster Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee which planned the annual National Day of Prayer event for the city. In 2004, Mike served as a technical advisor for a local production of the play “A Piece of My Heart”, the story of six women who joined the armed forced to help their country during the Vietnam War. Mike was an integral part in conceiving the idea to build a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. This labor of love took almost five years and raised $120,000 to build the mobile wall. It is the most accurate and nicest looking mobile memorial in the nation. As President of The Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall - AV Wall committee, Mike ensures that the AV Wall is on public display in Southern California at least twice a year. This allows Vietnam veterans to visit The Wall and to finally be properly honored by a grateful nation. It also allows family members to honor their fallen loved ones. The AV Wall Committee, under Mike’s leadership, has created an education component that allows veterans to interact with school children when the wall is on display. Essay contests, classroom visits and field trips encourage students to study and understand the Vietnam War and its effect on our local community. Mike is honored to be an “Adopted Son of San Mateo”, the only city to have a Homecoming celebration for Vietnam Veterans during the war. The City of San Mateo adopted his unit ABU Company 1/327th Battalion 101st Airborne in 1971. Mike stays connected with his Army brethren through semi-annual reunions that bring together all generations of ABUs. Since 2011, Mike has participated in Project Healing Waters, an organization that is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities. Mike attends bi-monthly classes and volunteers at fundraising events to encourage more veterans to participate in the outreach program. He retired four years ago from a 40-year career as the owner of The Upholstery Factory in Lancaster. In his retirement, Mike is enjoying fly fishing, traveling, and repairing and riding English motorcycles.

Shawn H. Denny United States Coast Guard | January 2002 – August 2010 Spokane / Rocky Mountain North West Shawn H. Denny was born in Sheridan, Montana August 28, 1974 and raised for the first 9 years of his life in Wisdom, Montana, Butte Montana and the Big Hole River Valley. Growing up in the Most beautiful Blue-Ribbon Trout country led to his addiction with fishing. Moving to Rathdrum, Idaho upon entering the 3rd grade he received his first fly tying kit and Scott Power-Ply Fly rod at the age of 10. Upon Graduation from Lakeland High School (Rathdrum, Idaho) in 1993 Shawn and his best friend took a week to fly fish the Moyie and Pack rivers in Northern Idaho. At the age of 18 Shawn became a Heavy Equipment Operator and Truck Driver. He worked in the Logging industry becoming partners in A Horse Logging Company which was dissolved after his partner became injured on the job. Shawn went back to Operating Heavy Equipment and was sought after for his skills and fearlessness. During this period Shawn Chased the Rodeo Circuit and Bounced at some Local Country Bars on the weekends. He Guided Hunting and Fishing trips for ST. Joe Hunting and Fishing Camp in 1995, Worked a 28,000-acre cattle ranch in 1996 and attended Montana State University Farrier Science Program winter of 1998. Shawn met his wife Sharon while Bouncing at Kelly’s Grand Old Opry (State Line, Idaho), they married in October of 2000. Soon they had A baby girl Charmaine that was born with Down Syndrome in June of 2001. At this time Shawn realized he needed a better career with stability and benefits. After being accepted by the U.S. Border Patrol the turned down two weeks later due to eye sight, he enlisted in the Coast Guard. Shawn entered the Coast Guard Boot Camp in Cape May, New Jersey on January 2002. His first Duty Station was the Coast Guard Cutter Alert WMEC- 630. Reporting to the CG Cutter Alert in Astoria, Oregon as an E-2 he completed 17 Deck Qualifications and was Frocked to E-4 Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class within 6 months of reporting aboard, proving that the military was a good fit. While aboard the CGC Alert Shawn took part in numerous Fisheries Patrols, Drug Interdiction and Homeland Security Patrols. During one such patrol Petty Officer Denny was injured while conducting a Fisheries Boarding in 15-foot seas when he slipped and was crushed between a Commercial Fishing Trawler and the Coast Guard small boat. Chocked full of adrenalin Petty Officer Denny completed the boarding only to start hurting later that evening. Complaining of Back, Neck and shoulder pain that slowly got better only to get worse in latter years. Shawn left the Cutter Alert after pinning on E-5 (Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class) only two years from entering the Coast Guard. Shawn reported to and stood up a Counter Terrorism Unit Maritime Safety and Security team 91109 onboard the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Upon being awarded Most valuable team member while training at The Coast Guard Special Mission Training Center on board Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Shawn returned to his unit as a Tactical II Coxswain conducting Force Protection Patrols, protecting infrastructure, Cruise ships and Navy Assets around the US. While deployed to Hurricane Rita Shawn picked up a Viral infection causing damage to his heart as he would learn later. A High Point of this unit is that on September 2, 2004 at Balboa Naval Medical Center Shawn’s son Ambrose was born. Shawn reported to Coast Guard Station Bellingham in 2006 Pinning on E-6 (Boatswain’s Mate First Class) becoming the 1LT in charge of deck force and the Command duty officer responsible for 80 members. This was a very high ops tempo unit conducting 480 Search and Rescue and 460 Law enforcement missions a year. While at this unit Shawn took a fall and broke his elbow clean in half after 3 surgeries and two years of physical therapy and no improvement A Medical Board was started during which time Shawn was diagnosed with Left Bundle Branch Block and Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy ending his career. Shawn was discharged in August 2010. After discharged Shawn and family moved back to Spokane, WA where he attended Spokane Community College and earned certificates in Welding and Machining. After working in the field for 4 years while vacuuming at his residence, Shawn Collapsed and was unable to move his legs it was determined that the spinal injury received while on the Cutter Alert caused a 6MM bone spur inside the spinal canal putting pressure on the spinal cord and shutting it down. After 6hrs of surgery it fixed the issues but left him unemployable in his field and was retired by the VA with a 100% Rating a culmination of all his disabilities. Shawn learned about Project Healing Waters through his VA Physical Therapist reuniting him with his love of Fly Fishing and Fly Tying. Project Healing waters has eased his depression and given him back a feeling of self-worth and camaraderie with like minded veterans. It also gave him the encouragement needed to become an instructor in Welding and Fabrication at the very college and program he graduated from a job that is low intensity and he can do with his VA disabilities. He enjoys helping others learn how to tie Flies and work on their custom rods. His greatest achievement was winning category 1 rod building last year after painstakingly teaching himself weaving and cross wrap techniques and receiving his dream prize of learning Bamboo Rod Building at Bamboo Bend. Thank you and as Shawn would say Fair Winds and Following Seas my friends. Semper Paratus (always ready)