Wounded Warriors Project: Part One

Every year, once, twice, or sometimes even more, I have the blessing of working with Wounded Warriors. In December there’s the big shebang out in Breckenridge, Colorado that brings hundreds of vets from many different nations, and even more volunteers together to ski. I’ve gone to this gathering in Colorado once, to this Ski Spectacular. I must say, the camaraderie I’ve seen amongst these guys and the strength they’ve got within them is phenomenal.

What they do overseas makes them heroes. What they do when they come back really makes them stand out more to me. The truth of the matter is that most of the soldiers I know are wounded vets, and they’ve got some of the best attitudes I’ve ever seen. To loose so much of themselves, literally, while fighting for out country, I am proud to be a part of helping them to be able to find a new passion and ability with the new challenges they have.

Chris Williams, our Vet Aaron, and I on the first
day at Bretton Woods.

The New England Adaptive Sports Coalition (God, that’s a mouthful guys) has hosted this for longer than I’ve been mono skiing, and every year I’ve been with NEDS I’ve been a part of it. Ability Plus at Waterville, Bretton Woods, and New England Disabled Sports at Loon make up the coalition and co-host all parts of this three day event.

We weren’t just teaching guys to ski this week, most of them already knew how to ski and get down the mountain. We were teaching independence, capability, and confidence, and I think everyone skied away with more. Everyone fell. Everyone had a good time. There was a sense of simplicity that we were all just skiers exploring the mountain together. At one point, Chris’ and my lesson left us in the dust, loading the chairlift independently, and skiing down to the racecourse. While he might not have realized it, he passed a milestone. 

The whole group: Veterans, families, volunteers, and sponsors

There was close to a hundred volunteers during this Wounded Warriors Program this past week. Volunteers from mountains across the east, Veterans from across the country,  army, navy, marines, all coming together to give each other hand, a “HOOAH” I was proud to be a part of. 

All Photos are copyright of Ken Watson at MediaTell.com