Wounded Warriors Head To Mammoth For Summer Fun

Through the cooperation of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, the Disabled Sports USA Wounded Warrior Project and generous donations from the Mammoth Lakes community, disabled soldiers from four different forces including the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines will be spending time trying their hand at various summer activities in the Eastern Sierra for Operation Mountain Sports, June 4-8.

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, which brought six young men to the Wounded Warrior Project in Mammoth in January, is presenting an intrepid summer adventure. A full summer experience with adaptive equipment will include kayaking, fishing, hand-cycling, mountain biking and rock climbing. Three of the soldiers visited Mammoth this winter and are returning to experience summer fun. One soldier is a double amputee who will be visiting with his wife and 18 month baby for their first 'vacation' since his injury.

The Wounded Warrior Project is designed to empower these military personnel to adapt to life with their war injuries," said Kathy Copeland, Executive Director of Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra. "We are rolling out the red carpet to these military personnel who have sustained various injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan to show them there definitely is still lots of fun to be had," said Copeland. "We're thrilled many of our friends are coming back, because it gives them a chance to experience summer sports as well as winter, plus we're excited to make new friends."

The project is possible thanks to help from volunteers and generous donations from area establishments including the Holiday Inn, Breakfast Club, Crowley Lake Store, both Mammoth Rotary Clubs, TJ's, Burgers, Whoa Nellie Deli, Pita Pit , Craig and Ann Knoche, Caldera Kayaks, Footloose, Sierra Mountain Guides and fishing guides; Mark Spieler, Fred Weatherly, Bob Waggoner, and Harry Blackburn.

With 37 years of experience, the Disabled Sports Wounded Warrior Project has proven that 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. Programs in over a dozen winter and summer sports take place at sites throughout the U.S., offering Wounded Warriors the chance to re-build their lives through sport. For more information visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org and .www.dsusa.org