I am writing this during Hanukkah, a minor religious holiday in the Jewish religion. Here it has become a Jewish analogue to the Christmas celebrations for they (usually) share the traditional American holiday season. In both traditions, the giving of gifts is customary, although among many Jews gift giving is for children and religious freedom is central to the holiday. This is a feature worthy of emulation by all.

Gift giving is problematic when plenty is the norm, which it clearly is for so many of us. What do we give to friends and relatives who have all they need and more?

Seek out people clearly in need or select organizations that specialize in this task, for example the Salvation Army. We can easily identify local organizations that focus on specific groups that address specific unmet needs, Habitat for Humanity or Eagle Mount for example. These are community organizations, the “little platoons” of citizens that contribute to America’s civic character.

Here’s a new organization that will benefit from your gifts—Warriors and Quiet Waters (WQW). I strongly recommend it as a worthy recipient. I admit favoritism for FREE was helpful in creating and is active in developing and offering this new program for wounded warriors, men and women severely injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The combat related injuries from this war include loss of limbs, burns, shrapnel, and traumatic brain injury. Modern body armor and unprecedented swift and effective medical care have produced a significantly improved survival rate among our wounded Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. Ironically, but predictably, this creates huge problems we can help address; a moral and practical necessity for prolonged, intensive therapy and rehabilitation. Committed and experienced fly-fishermen, guides, outfitters, and military retirees created this Bozeman-based foundation to contribute to the restorative need of our injured personnel.

WQW works with military hospitals to bring active military personnel to Montana as part of their rehabilitation programs. Recuperation involves far more than fitting prostheses and relearning mobility. It includes reintegration into the peace and joy of life.

The goal of WQW is to introduce these individuals to fly-fishing for wild trout, a demanding and rewarding sport of solace. From their hospitals they fly to Bozeman, an American trout mecca, to spend five days learning to fly-fish while exploring the Greater Yellowstone area. They are billeted together in a private home and lavished with care and attention, all volunteer.

The warriors spend the first day on our ranch and are introduced to the art of fly-casting by real and compassionate experts. Within two hours of throwing their first fly on our lawn, most have a large wild rainbow on their line. All soon do.

They visit Yellowstone Park, fish the classic big waters of the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin, and dine in such wonderful places as the Gallatin River Lodge. All this is free to them—and they leave with a full compliment of good fly-fishing gear: rods, reels, vests, and all that is necessary to continue this rewarding lifetime activity.

The candidates are primarily young enlisted service men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and still in rehab in the military hospital system. The participants are pre-screened by their hospitals and we accommodate their specific disabilities. An accomplished, compassionate guide, who provides assistance and camaraderie, accompanies each warrior. We accommodate amputees and those in wheelchairs. And yes, our eyes sweat a lot, as would yours.

This past summer we brought two groups to Bozeman, the first from Balboa Naval Hospital, the second from several medical facilities. Both groups had a great time. One soldier wrote, “I can't thank you guys enough for the wonderful fly-fishing trip. We can't stop talking about it, and we all wish we could still be there with all the wonderful people of Bozeman.” With your help, next summer we can bring 4 to 5 dozen more wounded warriors to Bozeman.

Contributing to this is a great reward. I hope you’ll help us with this effort by making a significant holiday gift to WQW—a VERY significant gift would be a large house around Bozeman to billet the warriors during their time in Montana. Please send your check to Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation, Box 1165, Bozeman 59771-1165.