We asked people to participate in Real American Stories and were astonished by the responses we received. From people we stopped on the sidewalk to household names eager to tell their unique and inspiring American stories.

 
Gator Wrestling – NEW

Gator Wrestling – NEW

Brave souls battle so-called fresh nasties in this extreme sport that actually saves gators’ lives.

Putting the Pieces Together – NEW

Putting the Pieces Together – NEW

Dr. Doreen is giving autistic children a world of possibilities.

Mutton Bustin – NEW

Mutton Bustin – NEW

Fast and furious, this American tradition features tiny tots riding woolly wonder beasts.

Kaotic Drumline – NEW

Kaotic Drumline – NEW

Jamie Poindexter’s drumline is bringing together a tough neighborhood with a joyful beat.

The Zumba Craze – NEW

The Zumba Craze – NEW

Beto Perez’s fitness party is changing the way people think about exercise.

The Gift of Life – NEW

The Gift of Life – NEW

A barista gives a kidney to a complete stranger, giving her the ultimate pick-me-up.

Rocket Man – NEW

Rocket Man – NEW

Raised by migrant farm workers, Jose Hernandez used hard work and a big heart to reach the stars.

Little Black Pearl – NEW

Little Black Pearl – NEW

Monica Haslip’s afterschool program is creating artists and serious entrepreneurs.

My Secret Radio – NEW

My Secret Radio – NEW

Jorge Gomez and Tiempo Libre dreamed of America from the rooftops of Havana.

Fallen Heroes Proj. – NEW

Fallen Heroes Proj. – NEW

Michael Reagan and his Fallen Heroes Project provides closure for the families left behind.

Elizabeth Sobol – NEW

Elizabeth Sobol – NEW

A gifted pianist gives up her dreams to champion other artists.

World Class Shine – NEW

World Class Shine – NEW

This shoe shine man is changing the world through his Clean Water Foundation.

A Perfect Fit – NEW

A Perfect Fit – NEW

Her parents left everything behind, so Mae Joo could follow her dreams.

A Family Legacy – NEW

A Family Legacy – NEW

Through hard work and perseverance, Mila Apostol created the little store that could.

Global Soap Project

Global Soap Project

A refugee survivor, Derreck Kayongo is saving the world, one bar of soap at a time.

Rachel Grusse

Rachel Grusse

A bi-lateral amputee, Rachel leads her teammates with a truly inspiring attitude.

Spread the Magic

Spread the Magic

A cancer survivor, Chad Juros performs miracles through the gift of magic!

Robledo Family Winery

Robledo Family Winery

Reynaldo Robledo turned a $12  job into a million dollar operation.

Tasty Pastry

Tasty Pastry

A harrowing escape from Iran, a fight for freedom, and the little bakery that could.

Kwame James

Kwame James

He went toe-to-toe with the shoe bomber and became a hero in the sky.

Back On My Feet

Back On My Feet

Anne Mahlum starts a running program that helps homeless men reclaim their lives.

Melinda Doolittle

Melinda Doolittle

This American Idol finalist defied all the odds on her way to stardom.

Air Guitar

Air Guitar

Some call air guitar part perf. art, pro wrestling and rock’n’roll. Whatever it is, it sure is fun!

The Phillie Phanatic

The Phillie Phanatic

This lovable mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies brings imagination to life.

Hyde/Model Rugby

Hyde/Model Rugby

A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.

Hyde/Model Rugby – (CC)

Hyde/Model Rugby – (CC)

A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.

Rick’s Picks

Rick’s Picks

Pushing the limits of pickling by bringing lots of taste to the traditional mason jar.

Project Healing Waters

Project Healing Waters

Bringing wounded vets fly-fishing to heal their mind and soul.

New Haven Pizza Wars

New Haven Pizza Wars

New Haven’s battle over brick oven supremacy.

Operation Proper Exit

Operation Proper Exit

Taking wounded vets back to Iraq to provide emotional closure.

The Sphinx Organization

The Sphinx Organization

Aaron Dworkin brings classical music to the inner city, and opens up a world of possibilities.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

This July 4th patriotic pig out is rooted in love of country.

Fireworks by Grucci

Fireworks by Grucci

A family’s unbelievable story of courage, love and perseverance.

Tova Friedman

Tova Friedman

A Holocaust survivor, she was one of five children that survived from her town.

Dogfish Head

Dogfish Head

Owner, Sam Calagione overcame adversity to create, a bigger, bolder American beer.

Pat’s and Geno’s

Pat’s and Geno’s

Can it get any more American than steak, onions and cheese whiz on a homemade bun?

Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner

He talks about his journey from homelessness to financial freedom.

Tom Clarke

Tom Clarke

He talks about seeing the last two 9/11 survivors being pulled from the wreckage.

James Martinez

James Martinez

An Iraq War veteran, James talks about surviving a suicide attack and serving our country.

Giuliana Rancic

Giuliana Rancic

She talks about coming over from Italy as a child and the chances America has given her.

Gary Szabo

Gary Szabo

A firefighter who helped with the rescue efforts at the WTC after the 9/11 attacks.

Ken Krimstein

Ken Krimstein

He took his son to his first day of Kindergarten in NYC on 9/11.

Tara Deckard

Tara Deckard

She’s following in grandfather’s footsteps, paying it forward, and living up to her good name.

Teuta Dedvukaj

Teuta Dedvukaj

Her parents left Albania so she could grow up with the freedom to live out her “American Dream.”

Wayne Hosmer

Wayne Hosmer

An Iraqi veteran, he talks about the price of freedom.

Jillynn Rasmussen

Jillynn Rasmussen

A 1st grade teacher talks about teaching the Pledge of Allegiance to her students.

Gidgett Lovingood

Gidgett Lovingood

She raised nine children and talks about overcoming adversity and following your dreams.

Fred & Tina Sayers

Fred & Tina Sayers

As devoted parents, they provided a safe and loving environment for over 40 foster babies.

Rachel Castaneda

Rachel Castaneda

She shares her ancestors’ sacrifices and struggles for the freedoms we enjoy in America.

Joe Dannenbaum IV

Joe Dannenbaum IV

Inspired by wounded soldiers, he’s in med school training to become a doctor in the U.S. Army.

Leeza Gibbons

Leeza Gibbons

Like her mother, she teaches her children that in America, anything is possible.

Military Wives

Military Wives

Julie Smith & Joyce Hogan have served our nation through their husbands’ military service.

Ken & Guen Williams

Ken & Guen Williams

They adopted two children from Russia and share how the experience changed their lives.

Charles Ward

Charles Ward

Vietnam Vet who talks about how service changed his life and his feeling for this country.

Val Lofgreen

Val Lofgreen

He looks back and remembers what NYC was like on the day they buried JFK.

David Tyree

David Tyree

He compares football to unity and talks about the importance of America coming together.

CEO Jack Welch

CEO Jack Welch

Chairman and CEO of GE from 1981-2001, he talks about following your dreams.

Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher

She’s a 3rd generation American who talks of fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers.

Anthony Lassiter

Anthony Lassiter

A Vietnam Vet, Anthony talks about surviving a vicious attack, and the costs of freedom.

Peter & Dea Bauer

Peter & Dea Bauer

The couple talks about raising their kids and the freedoms we cherish in this country.

Alp Gurpinar

Alp Gurpinar

He emigrated from Turkey to go to college and follow his dreams.

Launa Costley

Launa Costley

A teacher who credits her ancestors for giving us the freedoms we share in this country.

Jimmie Sue Blose

Jimmie Sue Blose

She remembers the Oklahoma City bombing and how Americans stand together.

Thais Prado

Thais Prado

A Cuban American who talks about how her father risked his life to bring his family here.

Walter & Janet Loy

Walter & Janet Loy

Married for 52 years, they talk about growing up and raising a family in a small town.

Oleg Haskel

Oleg Haskel

He’s a Russian immigrant who talks about coming to America and achieving his dreams.

Andria Mellon

Andria Mellon

She talks about her ancestors’ hard work and sacrifice emigrating here from Greece.

George Padavil

George Padavil

He emigrated from India and talks about the opportunities America has given him.

Utkarsh Sata

Utkarsh Sata

He came from India to become an engineer and is currently applying for U.S. citizenship.

Stella Kozanecki

Stella Kozanecki

Her family has celebrated a family reunion every year for the past 70 years.

Montgomery Gentry

Montgomery Gentry

The award winning country music group talks about performing for the troops in Iraq.

26 Responses to “Project Healing Waters”

  1. Don Harty said:

    Simply amazing. I have had the privilage of taking wounded warriors kayking with our business, what a joy it is to see these guys reconnect with themselves and other.

  2. zildjian crash said:

    This was a really nice post.

  3. sbobet said:

    amazing stuff thanx :)

  4. Rod Viator said:

    I volunteer with PHWFF at the Fort Hood facility in Texas and it is a great program made better by the diversity and eagerness of the volunteer staff that assist our soldiers. It’s comforting to see these wounded warriors treated better than we were when we arrived back home from Vietnam. Thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice with, Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Task Force, 25th Infantry Division, Pleiku, South Vietnam, 1966 and 1967.

  5. James Curtis said:

    Just standing on the grass practicing my cast, thinking of the time Jeff, Alan and Stan had invested in me. Appreciating quality time spent on me.

  6. Alberto Perez said:

    Excellent way to lean on God and to feel his healing precense, no matter what our troubles in life may be. Beautiful ministry, congratulations.

    God Bless You All
    Al. Perez

  7. heather said:

    thank you for this program and for making it known to everyone out here in cyber space…my prayers are with each of you…from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU

  8. Kevin Prichard said:

    What a great program. Regardless of your religious background, it’s got to be a great reentry for veterans of the Mideast wars.

  9. Casey said:

    God bless all those involved in this wonderful program. May god bless all of our troops.

  10. Michael A. Mancini said:

    So proud of my big brother love you with all my heart Brian!!

  11. Craig Holman said:

    I am a proud volunteer for the program. For anyone who wouldl like to get involved or state their own chapter please contact the national headquarters, their contact info can be found on the website. When I got involved I emailed them and they came back with a quick response and introduced me to some great people. Thanks for giving the cause some publicity, you would be surprised on the lack of cover local chapters garner. Please get involved if you are a fly fishing nut because little effort can make a huge difference.

  12. Charles K. Vena said:

    GOD BLESS you all,this old sailor (CVA-31) will always keep every one of you in my heart & my prayers.I pray for the day when all our fighting men & women come home.You will be in our thoughts this coming holiday season.I am a Stripper fisherman & I always feel a special calm when Iam out fishing. Best Wishes for all you guys ,maybe one day I might have the honor of fishing with some of you.Kenny Vena V-2 Div.USN

  13. realamericanstories said:

    Send them to realamericanstories.com. and ask them to join our facebook page. Thanks for your support.

  14. GARY LEE HEFNER II, LPN said:

    THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. JUST LIKE CHRIST, YOU ARE ALL PAYING A PRICE FOR ALL OF US. YOU ARE MY HEROES. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

  15. Tammy Wells said:

    Freedom is not free, lest we ever forget…
    God bless our American troops!

  16. Anthony Nguyen said:

    I really appreciated I came across this link.

    I would like to introduce this to my church too.

    Let me know how I can.

  17. JANE MORRISON said:

    THIS IS A WONDERFUL AND THOUGHTFUL PROGRAM AND IS IT NOT A PITY THAT OUR MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS TO GIVE EVERYTHING HE CAN THINK OF TO THE ILLEGALS AND NOT FUND A PROGRAM FOR OUR BOYS WHO FACE DEATH EVERY DAY AND MOST COME OUT SCARED .GOD BLESS YOU AND THIS PROGRAM

  18. Carson Foster said:

    I was deeply touched by this clip. What a wonderful ministry. My deepest gratitude to this organization.

  19. paul wilcox said:

    Ed, great program; to help start the healing from the inside out. I’ m responding to say thanks and to offer a little myself. My name is Paul Wilcox. I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I am originally from Port Sulphur, La. about sixty miles south west of New Orleans, La. We have some good salt-water fishing down here , along with some excellent off-shore fishing. I’ve never meet a stranger Ed just new friends. If you know of any of these great men or women veterans that would like to enjoy some good eating,fishing, and people, all you have to do is call me or email me. God Bless. 225-266-9554 PS Ed, this would stay under your cause and mission.

  20. James said:

    May the LORD bless every person behind these efforts, and those who receive the psychological and spiritual benefits therefrom. I thank you for your ministry.

  21. Chris Rowland said:

    I have been very fortunate to have been a volunteer for this fantastic organization for nearly 2 years now. I personally know and have spent time on and off of the water with all of the American Heros features in this story. The Veterans get so much out of this program, but, as a volunteer, I get to show my gratitude for their sacrifices and share my love for the sport of fly fishing. If you get a chance to volunteer for this organization, do it. It is well worth the time and effort that you put in!

  22. Rick Russell said:

    Wow, god reaches us in the most awful places and brings to his wonderful creation for us to enjoy.
    Thank you Lord!

  23. “It’s All About Relationships” « Incoraggiamento Per Tutti said:

    [...] All About Relationships” This is what Healing Waters founder Ed Nicholson says on this video about the ministry.  There is nothing about “Jesus” mentioned in these promos but I [...]

  24. LaVonne said:

    VEry cool! Thanks for sharing!

  25. william traver said:

    Awesome program and excellent message in your video. I’m a flyfisherman as well and understand the therapeutic process in what you’re doing. Excellent.

  26. Mike Smith said:

    What a wonderful program. Well done, ED. God Bless all the volunteers.

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