This year's festival is presented in memory of two Veterans that tragically lost their lives, Shawn Demenkow, MSgt, USMC (ret.) and Brian Mancini, SFC, USA (Ret.). Both of these patriots were Participants in Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. They were a pleasure to be around, and a gift to those that knew them. Our hearts go out to their families and friends.
Shawn Demenkow, Master Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, Retired
Shawn Demenkow was born and raised in a small town north of Boston MA on June 12th 1970. Growing up he fished with his dad for Trout in the cold North Waters of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. This became his passion and he always wanted to learn how to fly fish. In 1985 he met his wife Anne in High School and they remained together ever since. Shawn’s father, Paul, also served in the Marine Corps so he joined shortly after graduating High School. It was more than following in his dads footsteps; it was a dream to serve his country.
One year after his first son, Timothy, was born Shawn left for Parris Island in December of 1990. He graduated on March fourth, 1991 and his dream of becoming a Marine came true. During Shawn’s 23 years as a Marine Infantryman he would deploy 9 times, 4 of which were combat related. In June of 1997 Shawn and Anne had another son, Andrew. 2 years later came their 3rd child, Emily. In August of 2002 Shawn was in Jordan, attached to 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC) when he received a Red Cross message that his daughter was in a medically induced Coma. She was in extreme danger of renal failure. Emily had cancer. Shawn was flown home immediately and by his daughter’s side, but within 2 months Shawn would be deployed again.
Shawn left his wife and 2 sons by Emily’s side as she fought for her life. Shawn re-deployed to Basra, Iraq with the 13th MEUSOC and conducted combat operations along the Iranian border with the British Army. When Shawn arrived back in the States he accepted orders to Inspector Instructor Staff with Bravo Co 1st Bn 25th Marines so that he would be closer to his daughter. Emily was being treated at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital. Emily lost her battle with cancer on June 26, 2005. Shawn was redeployed to Fallujah within months of her passing.
He continued to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan were he conducted numerous combat operations. His last was Marjah Afghanistan. Shawn endured countless firefights, IED attacks and sniper attacks. The loss of his daughter and the combat deployments would eventually result in Shawn being diagnosed with severe PTSD, major clinical depression, and other service connected injuries. He was also battling a rare auto immune disease called Bechets. He suffered daily with haunting memories and nightmares, and the effects of his illness. After retiring from the Marine Corps, his hope had vanished and his PTSD and depression became worse.
His wife enrolled him in the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. Crystal Coast Program. On his first meeting he was greeted as a family member. He tied his first fly that evening and hope was re-established in his life. His dream to learn how to fly fish became true. Every fly he tied and every cast he made resulted in a bit more happiness in his life. When he attended the meetings to tie flies or go on a fishing trip it took his mind off of the negative thoughts and memories which helped him greatly.
One year after his first son, Timothy, was born Shawn left for Parris Island in December of 1990. He graduated on March fourth, 1991 and his dream of becoming a Marine came true. During Shawn’s 23 years as a Marine Infantryman he would deploy 9 times, 4 of which were combat related. In June of 1997 Shawn and Anne had another son, Andrew. 2 years later came their 3rd child, Emily. In August of 2002 Shawn was in Jordan, attached to 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC) when he received a Red Cross message that his daughter was in a medically induced Coma. She was in extreme danger of renal failure. Emily had cancer. Shawn was flown home immediately and by his daughter’s side, but within 2 months Shawn would be deployed again.
Shawn left his wife and 2 sons by Emily’s side as she fought for her life. Shawn re-deployed to Basra, Iraq with the 13th MEUSOC and conducted combat operations along the Iranian border with the British Army. When Shawn arrived back in the States he accepted orders to Inspector Instructor Staff with Bravo Co 1st Bn 25th Marines so that he would be closer to his daughter. Emily was being treated at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital. Emily lost her battle with cancer on June 26, 2005. Shawn was redeployed to Fallujah within months of her passing.
He continued to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan were he conducted numerous combat operations. His last was Marjah Afghanistan. Shawn endured countless firefights, IED attacks and sniper attacks. The loss of his daughter and the combat deployments would eventually result in Shawn being diagnosed with severe PTSD, major clinical depression, and other service connected injuries. He was also battling a rare auto immune disease called Bechets. He suffered daily with haunting memories and nightmares, and the effects of his illness. After retiring from the Marine Corps, his hope had vanished and his PTSD and depression became worse.
His wife enrolled him in the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. Crystal Coast Program. On his first meeting he was greeted as a family member. He tied his first fly that evening and hope was re-established in his life. His dream to learn how to fly fish became true. Every fly he tied and every cast he made resulted in a bit more happiness in his life. When he attended the meetings to tie flies or go on a fishing trip it took his mind off of the negative thoughts and memories which helped him greatly.
Brian Mancini, Sergeant First Class, United States Army, Retired
Brian Mancini was the President of the Honor House. In 2012 Brian co-founded the Honor House, a organization who's mission is to provide a complete transitional package, that utilizes the resources from the community to meet the therapeutic and transitional challenges of our Veterans affected by combat.
In 1998 two weeks post graduation from Alhambra High School in Phoenix, Arizona, Brian enlisted in The United States Army. He would serve as a Combat Medic with two tours in Iraq. During his over 12 years in Service he was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Air Assault Badge and Flight Medic Badge. In addition to his direct combat experience as a Medic, Brian worked as a Military Liaison to help wounded transitioning Veterans find Government jobs. He worked with The Potomac Workforce Education and Reintegration program helping wounded Veterans transitioning out of the Military into Government jobs at Indian Head Naval Facility, MD. He worked on projects that captured Electronic Health records for the Department of Health Information Management Systems and the Department of Defense. Brian also served as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of a Battalion Aid Station with the 1st Infantry Division, 1-28 Infantry Battalion, Fort Riley, KS and in Baghdad, Iraq. Brian served as a Treatment Squad Leader for the 1st. Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Medical Team at Fort Riley,KS and was the Medical Section NCO in Charge for the Arizona National Guard 860th Military Police Company in Baghdad, Iraq. Brian also served as a Flight Medic assigned to Soto Cano Airbase, Honduras. As a flight medic he was involved in operations that provided emergency medical evacuation support and coverage throughout Central and South America. Brian began his Army medical career as a young Ground Ambulance driver with the 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, Tx.
In July of 2007, Brian sustained extensive injuries during Combat Operations in Iraq. While recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Brian began his work to provide resources and help for returning Veterans. He was heavily influenced by the benefits of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and continued to be an advocate and supporter of the organization.
In April of 2011 he was medically retired from the United States Army. After retirement Brian devoted his time and energy to achieving the mission of the Honor House. He also volunteered his time as a developer and consultant to the Advancing Hero's Program, a thirteen week, comprehensive, outpatient program, integrating Complimentary and Alternative medicines, into a traditional behavioral health platform. The program is part of cutting edge treatment for Veterans being provided by Terros, a leading behavioral health organization in Arizona.
Brian was a founding member in the R4 Alliance. A membership of program's providing therapeutic and community based recreation to the Military Family.
He worked to create awareness of the needs of our returning Veterans by speaking to community leaders and organizations about this generation's combat experience and transitional challenges, locally and Nationally. Brian spoke to the Arizona Governors Council on Wounded Warrior Care, The Military Order of The World Wars, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Lukes-Behavioral Health; The Phoenix Police Department, The YMCA and numerous other agencies and businesses. He assisted the Phoenix Fire Department in development of a training video for First Responders.
In 2013 Brian was chosen as one of the Grand Marshall for The Phoenix Veterans Day Parade. He documented his Transitional Journey and his vision for the Honor House and returning veterans on "Shift Happens by Jonas Elrod" which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network, and "Operation Proper Exit Documentary" which aired on 60 Minutes.
News stories and video on Brian Mancini
CBS News: 60 Minutes
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563_162-20070153.html
Operation Proper Exit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuzbHh0No8I
Interview on OWN Network – In Deep Shift
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DzMMJJ0Kqc
In 1998 two weeks post graduation from Alhambra High School in Phoenix, Arizona, Brian enlisted in The United States Army. He would serve as a Combat Medic with two tours in Iraq. During his over 12 years in Service he was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Air Assault Badge and Flight Medic Badge. In addition to his direct combat experience as a Medic, Brian worked as a Military Liaison to help wounded transitioning Veterans find Government jobs. He worked with The Potomac Workforce Education and Reintegration program helping wounded Veterans transitioning out of the Military into Government jobs at Indian Head Naval Facility, MD. He worked on projects that captured Electronic Health records for the Department of Health Information Management Systems and the Department of Defense. Brian also served as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of a Battalion Aid Station with the 1st Infantry Division, 1-28 Infantry Battalion, Fort Riley, KS and in Baghdad, Iraq. Brian served as a Treatment Squad Leader for the 1st. Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Medical Team at Fort Riley,KS and was the Medical Section NCO in Charge for the Arizona National Guard 860th Military Police Company in Baghdad, Iraq. Brian also served as a Flight Medic assigned to Soto Cano Airbase, Honduras. As a flight medic he was involved in operations that provided emergency medical evacuation support and coverage throughout Central and South America. Brian began his Army medical career as a young Ground Ambulance driver with the 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, Tx.
In July of 2007, Brian sustained extensive injuries during Combat Operations in Iraq. While recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Brian began his work to provide resources and help for returning Veterans. He was heavily influenced by the benefits of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and continued to be an advocate and supporter of the organization.
In April of 2011 he was medically retired from the United States Army. After retirement Brian devoted his time and energy to achieving the mission of the Honor House. He also volunteered his time as a developer and consultant to the Advancing Hero's Program, a thirteen week, comprehensive, outpatient program, integrating Complimentary and Alternative medicines, into a traditional behavioral health platform. The program is part of cutting edge treatment for Veterans being provided by Terros, a leading behavioral health organization in Arizona.
Brian was a founding member in the R4 Alliance. A membership of program's providing therapeutic and community based recreation to the Military Family.
He worked to create awareness of the needs of our returning Veterans by speaking to community leaders and organizations about this generation's combat experience and transitional challenges, locally and Nationally. Brian spoke to the Arizona Governors Council on Wounded Warrior Care, The Military Order of The World Wars, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Lukes-Behavioral Health; The Phoenix Police Department, The YMCA and numerous other agencies and businesses. He assisted the Phoenix Fire Department in development of a training video for First Responders.
In 2013 Brian was chosen as one of the Grand Marshall for The Phoenix Veterans Day Parade. He documented his Transitional Journey and his vision for the Honor House and returning veterans on "Shift Happens by Jonas Elrod" which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network, and "Operation Proper Exit Documentary" which aired on 60 Minutes.
News stories and video on Brian Mancini
CBS News: 60 Minutes
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563_162-20070153.html
Operation Proper Exit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuzbHh0No8I
Interview on OWN Network – In Deep Shift
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DzMMJJ0Kqc