He was deployed to the Middle East and the wounded with severe injuries. What followed was a journey of physical, emotional, and spiritual battles...suicidal at times. But a fly fishing trip changed the life of Lew Duckwall, and he tells us how he is pouring into lives of other veterans and first responders on this episode.
Lew is a retired combat Veteran, Purple Heart recipient and is the founder of North Texas Patriot Anglers. He has been an avid fly fisherman since his youth in upstate New York. Lew started North Texas Patriot Anglers in 2013 as a healing journey for himself and a few friends, never dreaming it would grow into what it is today. He deployed to the Middle East in 2002 as part of the eliete Red Horse combat engineer unit, a group had many great accomplishments in that war zone. Just prior to Thanksgiving 2002, on a Top Secret mission to build a two-story building, Lew was involved in a serious injury during the construction. He talks about how that moment and what was to follow would change his life and his purpose forever.
Through one-on-one guided fly-fishing outings, North Texas Patriot Anglers attempts to increase Veterans well-being, renew their sense of camaraderie, and enhance their desire to move forward with their healing process. To date, NTPA has assisted more than 3,200 Veterans, provided more than 60,000 volunteer hours, and conducted almost 30 annual trips.
Lew is married to retired CMSGT Nicole Duckwall, a Veteran of both Irag and Afghanistan.
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