THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay has once again been chosen as the launch site of the third annual Healing On The Albany event scheduled for July 16 through the 23rd.
“After last year’s exceptional welcome, we did not even consider any other city from which to begin our Canadian adventure” said Mark Snyder, event coordinator for the organization Project Healing Waters. The non profit group was founded by a retired U.S. military officer – Ed Nichols – to assist wounded soldiers in their physical and psychological healing after battle field trauma. “Learning and practicing the art of fly fishing offers these soldiers a peaceful place to acquire the skills of angling” Snyder said.
In July 2008 and 2009 soldiers from both the U.S. and Canada were officially welcomed to Thunder Bay and then to Miminiska Lodge a Wilderness North Fly In Fishing destination on the Albany River.
The nine soldiers in this year’s event have all be selected by “Soldier On” in Canada and by Project Healing Waters in the U.S. to enjoy a week in the boreal forest of Northwestern Ontario, after suffering serious injuries in foreign wars.
“However, it’s mostly R&R” said Snyder as he reviewed his list of gifts from the public in general in the form of cash contributions, and from organizations like Orvis Company who donate the fly fishing tackle, and American Airlines who provide the flying for the U.S soldiers. Snyder goes on, “The key to the entire project is the gift from Wilderness North. Alan and Krista Cheeseman provide the wilderness flying, the lodge, the food and the boats and guides and their staff treats these soldiers like royalty.”
Tourism Thunder Bay is once again proud to support Project Healing Waters through media coordination and related services. “Thunder Bay has developed a phenomenal reputation as a warm and welcoming outdoor community and we want to extend that welcome to these brave Canadian and U.S. service personnel into our community and thank them for their service.” according to Paul Pepe, Manager of Tourism Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay’s Victoria Inn has once again donated rooms for the nine arriving soldiers on July 15, shuttle service and a welcome breakfast reception on the morning of the 16th at 9:30 AM
More information on Project Healing Waters can be found at www.projecthealingwaters.org.
