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Veterans ‘Catch’ Some Relaxation in the Poconos

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP — Some wounded veterans were treated to a fly fishing outing in Stroudsburg Wednesday. Casting a line into McMichaels Creek on a bright ...

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP -- Some wounded veterans were treated to a fly fishing outing in Stroudsburg Wednesday.

Casting a line into McMichaels Creek on a bright sunny day takes Brian Conklin's mind off the years he spent in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

"We went over and back and you know I have friends that went over and never came back. I still miss them," said Conklin of Avoca.

Conklin is one of about two dozen veterans from the Wilkes-Barre VA and from Paul's House in the Poconos.

Who are spending the day with the non-profit group called Project Healing Waters.

"It is a very soothing process that helps them heal both visible and invisible wounds," said Heide Cebrick.

The group meets monthly and volunteers like Bob Evans help take vets' minds away from what happened on the battlefields.

"You know what I thought about today? Nothing. And that's why you go fishing," Evans said.

Project Healing Waters isn't just helping the dozens of veterans at McMichaels Creek, it's also helping those who are giving a hand.

"To be able to give back to those who make sure that we are safe and that we are happy is just unbelievable. It's wonderful. I love it," Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs President Ruth Ann Rocchio said.

The Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs helped organize this event with Ray Starner who owns the property. And as many veterans worked to catch one fish or just catch a breath of fresh air, they encourage others to do the same.

"They won't forget what happened, but it might help them in the future to get better like myself," said Conklin.

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