National Veterans Tee Tournament 2010

Sept 8 & 9 I had the honor of spending time with blind and disabled Vets in Riverside, Iowa at the National Tee Tourney. This event is for Vets that are blind and/or disabled through service to their country or by life's circumstances. Some are amputees, some have MS, some have been victims of war. All are remarkable, courageous heroes! Each Vets is paired with a non disabled person as their "buddy", as a buddy you help your Vet golf by driving the cart, placing the ball and directing the golfer. Most don't need much direction, as golf is a sport they enjoyed earlier in life and they know what feels "right" when they swing! Other activities Vets were able to participate in were horseshoes, kayaking, casino night where they won incredible prizes with pretend money, and group dinner parties. I was able to participate in all the activites and meet some amazing people! I spent over an hour talking..well listening...to a WWII Vet-Ralph, and also was able to be his golf buddy. However, despite his loss of vision, he still was very aware of my lack of golfing skills! Luckily he had a great sense of humor! I met a group of men from Tampa (the Tampa Boys!) who were amputees...they actually won the golf tournament, along with Mark from the East coast! They taught me more than they will ever know! They opened my eyes to adaptive sports and to never letting life get you down. The outlook on life every one of these 181 Vets has is like nothing I have ever experienced. They have lost limbs, vision, control of some muscles, their normal lives and sometimes their hope. The one thing they all said to me... that at a certain point after they became disabled, they had to CHOOSE how they were going to live...sad and lonley and bored...or "get over it" and move on! I would expect nothing less from soldiers! They are moving on! I was able to be the "eyes" for some...escorting them to dinner, the elevator, to golf. The trust they put in others, or their sight dogs, is amazing. My eyes, were opened the most by Ray. Ray is blind and has been for years. He and I were able to talk for a couple hours... we shared stories about everything and his wisdom brought me clarity on a situtation that has bothered me for almost 2 yrs. He reminded me that sometimes God brings people into your life you didn't know you needed. Ray, I am proud to call you my brother! I also met Jersey Jean and Mark....they travel the United States participating in the Wheelchair Olympics, The Summer and Winter Games for Disabled Vets and any other activity they can! They both used special golf carts that rotate and lift the person so they can golf. I didn't even know they made these. I got Jersey Jean interested in coming back to Iowa next July for RAGBRAI-a bike ride across the state of Iowa! I can't wait to see her again! James taught me that even though he is an amputee...he enjoys surfing, yoga,sailing,handcycling,horseback riding,scuba and billards. WOW! He also spends his time mentoring others and encouraging them to be active. James you are an amazing example to everyone you meet!
Thanks to Glen and Kathryn, I was able to visit every hole and take a picture with all the Vets at the Riverside course. (They also have golfers at local courses). The best part was all the hugs! I have never had so many hugs in my life and so many people telling me thank you for being a "Voice for Veterans". Every day now, I think of all these amazing people....Veterans that sacrificed for us, and I work even harder to reach my goals. They taught me there are no excuses in life when you want something bad enough. I arrived the 1st day clueless on what to expect..I left at the end of the 2nd day against my will...and the clock. I made so many new friends, learned how sports can still be an option no matter what life brings you and learned life is unfair, and very tough sometimes. But in the end...get over it...and move on! I will be back next year to support my new friends, and as James told me..."Elaine, we will be back too...so you better take some golf lessons"! James... I will work on that! I am grateful to everyone I met, from the Veterans to the staff and 100s of volunteers that make this event possible. I can't possibly mention everyone I met that made an impact on me in such a short time, but I will never ever forget any of you.... my heart will never let me. Please enjoy my photos and see what I mean.....