Standing on a small pier overlooking a private pond on Bent Mountain, James Beheler casts his fly rod into the water. On his first cast, he expertly hooks a trout.
Gently scooping it into a net, Beheler holds it up for others to see before slowly releasing it back into the water. Afterward, he looks over his shoulder and smiles at his mentor and friend, Bob Crawshaw.
Behelerâs journey here began 10 years ago when he was serving in the Navy and had been deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan.
âItâs something thatâs going to be with us for the rest of our lives,â Beheler said of the combat he and his comrades witnessed. âSome [deaths] stick with you, especially the innocents, the civilians.â