He helps veterans 'cast off' stress!

For many, fishing is a relaxing hobby. For wounded warrior Joe Kowalski, the sport proved more therapeutic than a visit to his VA counselor. It had such a healing effect, he decided to share his passion with other veterans

- Bill Holton

 

"Breathtaking!” retired Marine Sgt. Joe Kowalski sighed, admiring the scenery as he cast his fishing line from his boat on Connecticut’s Candlewood Lake. The sun was shining, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the fish were biting.

Steve would have loved today, Joe thought, recalling his childhood buddy, Steven Andrews. The two had fished together regularly, dreaming of the great trips they’d take after they both retired from the military. But when that day came, after just their first bass fishing trip, Steve had died of a heart attack. The loss of his pal hit Joe hard. And suffering with physical and emotional scars after his 13 years of service in the Marines, Joe grew stressed and angry.

The one thing that brought him calm and peace was fishing. The weight would just lift off his shoulders.

“You should do more of that,” his VA counselor advised…a prescription that proved to be Joe’s salvation.

Now, as his boat rocked in a gentle wake, Joe found himself pondering, If fishing makes such a difference for me, could it help other veterans who are suffering too?

Peace and tranquility 

Joe knew of programs that took groups of veterans out fishing for the day. Those trips made for a great memory, but Joe wanted to do more. He wanted to teach his fellow veterans about the therapeutic benefits of fishing, to have them experience fishing’s peace and tranquility, to have it become a tool for healing. And as he mulled it over, he got an idea.