Oak Ridge man wins regional award for helping wounded, disabled vets

 

Information from WYSH Radio

Steve Brown of Oak Ridge has been named Tennessee Valley Region Volunteer of the Year by Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, or PHWFF, for wounded and disabled veterans. The region comprises the whole state of Tennessee.

Brown is a longtime leader of Trout Unlimited in Tennessee and of the Clinch River Chapter TU, a partner organization of the Knoxville program of PHWFF since its beginning in 2012. He serves as Tennessee’s representative to the National Leadership Council of Trout Unlimited.

In nominating Brown for the honor, Steve Thompson, Knoxville program lead and deputy regional coordinator for PHWFF, wrote: “Since the inception of the Knoxville program, there have been a few critical components to the success of the program. One of those components is Steve Brown. Since October of 2012 Steve has been to almost every single outing, class, meeting or get-together and has played a pivotal role in the healing of many of our veterans. Steve has always given of himself more than most and as a veteran himself is very relatable to all of our participants.

“Steve has taught knot tying, rod building, casting, wading techniques, safety classes, fly tying, and general fishing knowledge,” Thompson said. “Steve is always prepared, in good spirits, and embodies what it is like to be a skilled outdoorsman and fly fisher.”

Brown also volunteers for Casting for Recovery, for Great Smoky Mountains Trout Adventure Camp, and for Clinch River Chapter events including Kids Fish Free Day, Big Clinch River Cleanup, and Women on the Water.

Trout Unlimited is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

PHWFF is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the emotional and physical rehabilitation of wounded and disabled military veterans and active military members through fly fishing. In the Knoxville area, there are two PHWFF chapters:

• Knoxville program, meeting the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the American Red Cross, 6921 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville.
• Maryville program, meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Fairview United Methodist Church, 2508 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville.

WYSH Radio in Clinton is an Oak Ridge Today news partner.