Veterans wheelchair Games

I started this post a week ago, so the Thursday and Friday are actually July 7th and 8th.

Over my weekend, Thursday and Friday, I had the pleasure to volunteer at the 26th Annual Veterans Wheel Chair Games. I filled out an application weeks ago to participate, and my schedule was made by one of the organizers. They did an incredible job of organizing, by the way. Although I didn't schedule myself, couldn't have had a better schedule.

Thursday night I worked security at the "block party" in downtown Anchorage. It was an exciting event for all involved. A bird rehabilitation center had brought out an owl, hawk, and a couple of bald eagles to show the veterans. The multiple Iditarod champion Martin Busier was there with a few of his dogs. There was also a collection of classic cars from one of the local hot rod clubs. There were several live singers/bands, and a great looking catered dinner in the middle of 5th Avenue.

In the middle of the block party, the bird rehabilitation people released a rehabilitated bald eagle from atop a fire truck. It was a sight to see, and an appropriate gesture. We had gathered to honor men and women who had served proudly served our nation, and who had befallen injury that required extensive rehabilitation. These courageousagous men and women have not allowed their injuries to defeat them, and have continued to charge on in life in true military spirit. In honor of the courage of these individuals a magnificent animal, the very symbol of our nation, was released after undergoing its own rehabilitation.

Friday was a really slow day for security. I was scheduled to work during the swimming events at one of the local high schools. There was really no need for security at the venue, as everyone in attendancedence was there to support the athletes. I pretty much just watched the events, and walked the venue about every half hour.

Out of the events that I watched, the swimming was the most moving for me. It was amazing to see people with paralyzed or amputated limbs moving through the pool. The first race of the evening was quadriplegic swimmers. There were several participants who had very little use of their upper limbs. It took two of them a vary long time to cross the length of the pool, but none of them gave up. That was a common theme among the athletes, I never saw one of them give up.

After the swimming event was over, I headed to the Sullivan arena for the championship basketball, power soccer, and quad rugby games. I was really looking forward to seeing the quad rugby, as I had recently seen Murderball for the first time.

None of the events let me down. I was surprised to see the intensity of the basketball players, and the level of contact involved in their sport. The participants in the power soccer (a game developed by the NVWG for those unable to use man powered wheel chairs, it is played in motorized wheel chairs) had a surprising level of control their chairs. Even those unable to use hand controls with thier chairs were able to excel in the event.

The quad rugby game was the most exciting event of the night. The participants poured thier hearts out into the competition. There was a considerable amount of contact, and several flipped chairs. Early in the game it looked as though one team would simply run away with the game, but an impressive come back was staged, and it wasn't clear who would win until the end.

The crowd threw its support behind the veterans at every step.
It didn't matter who scored, the crowd still cheered. The organizers had done a wonderful job getting the word out about the games, and Anchorage did a good job of turning out to provide support.

Brandon