Whatever your view on the Iraq war, you surely want to help our wounded warriors. Fortunately, we have many opportunities, notably, the Bozeman based Warriors and Quiet Waters (WQW), a 501 c-3 foundation. Clearly, there are compelling needs for such good deeds.

Senator Tester recently held meetings with veterans at the Museum of the Rockies. He heard testimony from those with ailments ignored, neglected, or discounted by the Veterans Administration bureaucracy. Tester asserted, “It’s important we never break those promises” to those who served.

These promises are too often broken, accidentally or intentionally. There are two main reasons why, and while the VA’s resources are limited, money alone won’t fix the problems.

First, the term bureaucracy carries a crust of derision in every known language. Bureaucracies are run in accord with rules, and officials apply rules firmly. They are notoriously rigid and un-empathic by design.

There surely are exceptions that probe this rule, the Bozeman office of the Montana DMV for example, but it generally applies across time and cultures. The VA is no exception. And even the premier Walter Reed Army Hospital is beset by scandals.

Second, governments can’t institutionalize compassion. It is simply not possible for governments to create and operate large-scale organizations organized by compassion. The Salvation Army may well succeed, as do some other volunteer groups, but huge government agencies do not normally work in this manner.

Thus, there is a wide niche for organizations such as WQW. This is not to discount the excellent medical care the VA normally provides wounded warriors. Rather, WQW complements the VA’s rehabilitation efforts by providing fly fishing opportunities for military personnel in rehab programs.

This summer WQW has hosted two groups of wounded warriors, the first were Marines from Balboa Naval Hospital, the second, just last week, were from several military facilities. Here’s an introductory note from one, the first female to join us:

“Greetings Gentlemen,

I am sorry that I delayed in sending this information to you. I had [another] surgery pending and wanted to make sure it didn't interfere with the Montana dates before I gave anyone an update. The news is good. Surgery on 24 September.

I have spinal cord injuries but I do not require an ADA room. I travel with a wheelchair but do not need it full time.... I am walking better and better. I use a cane. I can wade while fishing because my balance is good from years of being a gymnast….

Sometimes I use a crutch for wading but I do not want to travel with a chair and crutches so I will not be bringing any. I will just not wade if it is a weak day [for me].

I wear a brace on my right wrist and hand right now. I wear one intermittently on my left. My wrists and left upper (tricep/bicep) arm are a little weak.

I have some vision loss so if the water is bright I cannot see if a fish is going to strike. (Too bad I can't train a dog to assist me with fishing!!!)

AS CPT Forsyth's son has pointed out to me...I am an ‘ARMY girl’ not a ‘GIRLY girl’ so...any accommodations will be OK and appreciated...even a tent would be fine for sleeping. :-)”

I can’t add to that testimony of courage—and besides, my eyes are sweating and it’s hard to write.

Last December 27 my New Year’s Eve column, “Let's Resolve to Reward Our Wounded Warriors,” previewed, and perhaps helped produce, WQW. I concluded with this, “[Ramona and] I’ll do the easy stuff: improve fishing access to our spring creek and ponds, offer our pavilion, and contribute modest sums. But we know the key to success is an entrepreneur.“

Fortunately, Bozeman is blessed with talented, highly motivated social entrepreneurs filled with compassion. As a result, Warriors and Quiet Waters is a functioning organization that has mobilized talented volunteers and modest financial support. We’d welcome yours. Please contact Eric Hastings at 406-581-1715 for more information on how you can help.

Give until it hurts. Wounded Warriors have. Although they don’t ask, and are proud to have served, we owe them a great deal.