Celebrating the 43rd National Veteran Wheelchair Games

We are beyond proud of our three amazing participants: William LaFitte, Jacob Robertson, and David Wainwright, along with our dedicated coaches from the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center.

Over the past week, our participants had the opportunity to join in a wide variety of sporting events, with two of our Veterans competing as novices. A huge congratulations to William LaFitte for winning a gold medal in table tennis in his class! Jacob Robertson's enthusiasm has soared, and he's now eager to participate in even more events, including wheelchair softball, powerlifting, and the slalom challenge. David Wainwright has also found new passions and is looking forward to nine-ball, cornhole, boccia, and bass fishing again.

The smiles and determination on our Veterans' faces while competing are something that our coaches and staff will cherish forever. The experience has been so inspiring that our two novice participants are already looking forward to next year's games!

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports and rehabilitation event solely for military veterans. The event demonstrates the unstoppable character of veterans and seeks to foster wider respect and opportunities for all people with disabilities. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is open to all U.S. veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis, or other central neurological conditions who require a wheelchair for athletic competition. Every year, hundreds of American heroes from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the post-9/11 era compete in this celebration of sport, courage, and camaraderie. 

This year’s competition featured 21 adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball, swimming, cycling, powerlifting, rugby, and soccer. For the first time in the history of the games, cornhole was also a medal event.

The 2024 games, co-presented by VA and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), were hosted by the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System and the Bayou Gulf States PVA Chapter. This marked a special return to New Orleans, which last hosted the games in 1990.

Join us in celebrating these remarkable athletes, William, David, and Jacob.