Published:
4th Annual Adaptive Water Sports Festival Offers Wounded Soldiers Opportunities to Water Ski, Scuba and Sail
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the Wounded Warrior
Disabled Sports Project, a partnership between Wounded Warrior Project and
Disabled Sports USA, severely wounded soldiers from the ongoing war on terror
will have the opportunity to learn adaptive water skiing, scuba diving and
other water sports as guests at the 2008 Adaptive Water Sports Festival.
Specially trained volunteers from the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY)
will be on hand to teach these sporting skills to those with amputations and
other severe injuries. Activities for this year include water-skiing, scuba
diving, sailing and fishing. The Adaptive Water Sports Festival will take
place inRockaway Point (QUEENS), New York from July 10-13, 2008.
The Rockaway community was one of the hardest hit on Sept. 11, 2001 and
ravaged again by the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 just two months
later. Yet, the community proved resilient and responded with a surge of
empathy, and charitable endeavors. Most notably, the Graybeards were formed, a
non-profit dedicated to helping those in need. It is through the Graybeards,
Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA, that this event is again
possible.
"Each year I am amazed to see these wounded soldiers water-skiing and
scuba diving," stated Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director John Melia.
"Many able-bodied people are not brave enough to take on this challenge and I
am filled with pride to see our wounded service men and women once again
acting courageously and pushing their bodies to the limit."
"A real camaraderie has built up between our wounded warriors and the
members of the Fire Department of New York. Both know, first hand, what it is
like to put their lives on the line for their country and community. We are
honored to be working with the New York communities as they help us rebuild
the lives of our brave wounded warriors through sports" said Kirk Bauer,
Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA and a disabledVietnam veteran.
The weekend will kick off on July 10 at 4:45 p.m. with the annual parade
throughStaten Island.
Wounded Warriors and key personnel from Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled
Sports USA and the Graybeards are available for comments and interviews. Photo
opportunities are available but certain events require scheduling due to
boat/water access.
2008 sponsors include: Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled Sports USA,
Graybeards, FDNY, AIG, BGC Partners, Inc, HUB Financial Charities, Genatt
Associates, Non Commissioned Officers Association, National Park
Service/Gateway National Recreation Area, DEMA Scuba Tour, Fire Family
Transport Foundation, Rockaway Point Yacht Club. Staff from Lakeshore
Foundation and STRIDE, Inc., chapters of Disabled Sports USA will teach
adaptive water skiing and sailing.
For information please contact, Julia Ray, Disabled Sports USA,
Tel: 301-217-9840.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization whose mission
is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and
enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and
women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and
to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more
information, please call (904) 296-7350 or visit
www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
About Disabled Sports USA (Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project)
The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project is a partnership between
Disabled Sports USA, its chapters and the Wounded Warrior Project, providing
year round sports programs for severely wounded service members from theIraq
andAfghanistan conflict and the Global War on Terrorism. Thirty-seven years
of experience has shown early intervention with active sports results in
successful rehabilitation, leading to employment. The "Wounded Warriors" and
their family members are provided these opportunities free of charge,
including transportation, lodging, adaptive equipment and individualized
instruction in over a dozen different winter and summer sports. Programs take
place at sites throughoutthe United States of America offering Wounded
Warriors the opportunity to integrate as participants and mentors in their
home communities. www.dsusa.org.
About The Graybeards
In the aftermath of the worst act of terrorism committed againstthe
United States of America, (September 11, 2001) and the devastating crash of
American Airlines flight #587, a group of men inRockaway Beach, who at the
time were loosely tied together through a basketball league known as the
Graybeards, recognized the positive impact they as a diversified group could
offer the community and stood together to formally create a non-profit
organization known as the "Graybeards". In that spirit we dedicate this
organization's name and further declare our purpose to enhance our lives and
the lives of others; to promote friendship and fellowship among its members;
to hold meetings and have social gatherings for its members; to promote an
interest in our community; to help those in the community in their time of
need, to promote the development/education of the youth of the community and
to promote a deeper appreciation of Americanism in the community.
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project
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Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze,
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