SAGUACHE COUNTY — Last week Saguache County Administrator Glen Simpson met with USMC/USMCR Ret Retired, CWO-5 Stan Price to ask him to bring the Healing Waters for Disabled Veterans Program to Saguache County.
In conjunction with the Saguache County Veterans Services Officer James Sheerin, Simpson requested Price put together a press release to bring the program to the attention of Saguache County disabled veterans who could benefit from the program and to involve other veterans and Saguache residents who would like to be a program volunteer.
Simpson said he feels it is important to enroll as many of the county’s disabled veterans into this program as possible, “because it has merit and would be an enjoyable way for Saguache residents to volunteer to help a good cause and their fellow disabled residents. My goal is to see Saguache County disabled veterans fly fishing in these healing gold metal waters for years to come.”
If the program is a success, Simpson said, — if they can show Saguache disabled veterans’ participation — then they could apply for county sales tax grants, veteran’s services or possibly other grant assistance in the future.
“Anytime I can find a worthwhile program with proven results that could help the residents of Saguache County, I will invite them in,” Simpson concluded.

Healing Waters for active duty, disabled vets
“We are pleased to announce the launch of a new Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. (PHWFF) program in Saguache County and the San Luis Valley of Colorado,” Price wrote in the opening paragraph of his news release. He then went on to explain the history and purpose of the program.
Established in late 2018, this dynamic new program will serve to provide physical and emotional recovery and rehabilitation to the areas disabled veterans and disabled active duty military service members.
“We’re finally here in Saguache County and the San Luis Valley and we’re dedicated to providing FUN therapeutic activities to ALL disabled veterans and active duty service folks that live here in the Valley, Price continued. “Everything we do for you is at no cost - we supply all the equipment and instructors for free.  No experience is required! Come give this great sport a try. It really is fun.”
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.
PHWFF has over 200 highly successful, volunteer-run programs in Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units, and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and clinics across the United States.  In 2017 alone, PHWFF served over 8,400 injured and disabled military service personnel and disabled veterans nationwide.
The Saguache and San Luis Valley Program meets regularly year-round for fly tying, rod building, fly fishing instruction, and outings - all offered at no cost to disabled veterans and disabled active duty military service personnel. Beginning in the early spring (weather dependent!) the program will begin hosting fly fishing outings to the areas many abundant fisheries.  
All outings and equipment also are provided at no cost to qualifying veterans and service members.  The program is supported by the local Trout Unlimited Chapter by providing mentors and expert fly-fishing knowledge and skills for the programs disabled veteran participants.
Interested volunteers and veteran participants should contact PHWFF San Luis Valley and Saguache County Program Lead Stan Price at [email protected].