Their Spirit Inspires

Honoring wounded warriors returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

As part of a week of skiing and celebration, 25 active-duty U.S. soldiers and marines will hit the slopes March 17, March 19 and March 20 for the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp at Disabled Sports USA Far West, located at Lake Tahoe’s Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, for ski and snowboard lessons.

The Wounded Warrior Ability Ski/Snowboard Camp was established during spring, 2009 through a partnership between the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project and Disabled Sports USA Far West.  For a second year, soldiers disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan will visit Disabled Sports from the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System; the Naval Medical Center, San Diego; and the Naval Health Clinic, Hawaii at Pearl Harbor – three major rehabilitation centers for service members who have been injured or disabled.  Ski and snowboard instruction at Disabled Sports is part of their rehabilitation program.

“It’s important that we reach recently disabled service members early in the rehabilitation process,” said Haakon Lang-Ree, Program Director at Disabled Sports.  Disabled Sports specializes in ski/snowboard instruction for students with physical and mental disabilities; and the visiting military students have all incurred disabilities during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan ranging from limb loss to brain trauma.  “It’s important to expose them early to what they can do.  Last spring was the inaugural Wounded Warrior Camp at Alpine Meadows and the soldiers and marines who participated were skiing and snowboarding like pros by the last day.  We’re excited to host another camp this March,” Lang-Ree added.

A full week of Disabled Sports USA Events
In addition to the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp, Disabled Sports has scheduled a full week of skiing, snowboarding, racing, and parties – all open to the public – from March 16 through March 21.

Friday, March 19 – The Phil Bocks Memorial Ability Challenge ski race will team donors, sponsors, and disabled skiers for a fun day of ski racing and on-hill activities.  An après ski party and awards presentation follows in the Alpine Meadows Base Lodge.  A former resident of Truckee, California, Marine Corps Sergeant Bocks was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2007.  “The Phil Bocks Memorial Ability Challenge race is our way of recognizing the ultimate sacrifice made by Phil as well as all fallen warriors,” Lang-Ree stated.  Race registration is open to all.

Saturday, March 20 – The 17th Annual Ability Bash will offer guests an evening of gourmet cuisine, live music, and a silent auction starting at 7pm at the Alpine Meadows lodge.  Individual tickets are $100; and V.I.P. tables for 10 can also be purchased.

For more information about the Disabled Sports USA at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, visit DisabledSports.net or call 530.581.4161.  To learn more about the Wounded Warrior Project, visit WoundedWarriorProject.org.