Several FAOLers were present this past weekend for the Nabours and Friends (yes the spelling is correct and another story) fund raiser for Project Healing Waters up on the Caney Fork River at the Long Branch Campgrounds. A lot of photos were taken, the food was awsome, Warren was a big hit tying flys and I had a ball demonstrating furled leader making. Doublewide was somewhere back in the kitchen helping with the evening meal.
Weather wise it was not a great weekend. Tornados did considerable damage in Murfreesboro and several of the Vets were unable to attend.
One Vet, who had served in Vietnam with Leo and Mike (ohiotuber) did make it through the rain storms to attend. Now Billy, Leo and Mike served in the 1968 era but I had been there in 1963 so I was sort of blamed for starting the whole thing but after a couple of more beers I was forgiven.
There was some awsome entertainment Friday evening (remember Nashville is the “Music Capitol!!”) after dinner of burger and brats. It was cold, wet and windy but the pavilion offered enough protection that many stayed 'til late.
Saturday’s auction brought in several thousand dollars for Project Healing Waters. It was ironic and very fitting that the man that won Leo’s “Purple Heart” bamboo rod with a bid of $850.00 also won the NewCanoe Door prize!
Now during the Saturday afternoon activities this little scrawney sort of beatup looking old guy in cowboy boots and a totaly used up straw hat picked up the “Purple Heart Rod” and began to throw some of the prettiest casts I’ve ever seen! Well this ol’ beat up cowboy was Sam Tate a well know song writer and entertainer!
Sam told us the story of how he became involved with Project Healing Waters and is now the Nashville spokesman for them. The reason? Well just listen to this song. It sort of tells it all.
I saw a little piece on CNN about this organization over the weekend. It was part of the CNN Heroes and ran a clip with Ed Nicholson. You can see it at the link below to CNN. I am unsure if the link will post but you can copy and paste if needed.
Thanks Jack for report – was hoping it would be a success; so glad to hear it was – and that despite weather and especially tornados, glad to hear it went ahead and all had great time – my hats off to you Jack and all others who helped make Nabours and Friends possible – and raised valuable monies and awareness for Project Healing Waters – that’s a great song by Sam Tate too
Hi, I’ve been lurking here for a while and thought I’d chime in. I am in south central Wi and my TU group had our introductional meeting for Project Healing waters at Sublocki Med center (formally Woods army hospital) Milwaukee this past Thursday. We had over 60 staff and vets attend. We’ve been informed that ours is the first TU chapter to be the forming organization with this great project. Thanks for helping spread this thing of ours.
Zoanr
Thanks for the report. Carol Katz from PHW did a presentation at our FF club installation dinner awhile back. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when she was finished. One story she told was about a group of men who were helping vets learn to cast on the grounds of Walter Reed. A car passed, then turned around and came back to see what the heck was going on. A passenger in the car got out to ask questions. Turned out to be an avid flyfisherman from Montana. His job at the time… Vice President of the US. Yep, Dick Cheney. He invited them to practice at his place. He was called out of town and got a replacement to help out. Pres. GW bush. I can’t tell the story as well as Carol did but you get the idea. Project Healing Waters gets a lot of support because it is a good thing. I really hope we can get something going here with our Veteran’s Home in Barstow.
Thanks Jack. It was a great time Sat. It missed Friday and wished I didn’t. I was a great time, great people, great food, and a really great cause. I want to thank Mike Snow, for all his work. I hope it happens every year. Won’t miss a day next time.
