New Jersey Veterans roll into Detroit, Mich. for the annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games

An annual adaptive sports competition co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) for Veterans who require the use of a wheelchair for athletic competition.

Seven local Veterans from New Jersey will participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) event, July 9–14. 

Name               Bib #*    Age     City        State   Service Branch

Julia Torres    319         59    Fort Lee    NJ        U.S. Army

James Bellamy    661    73    Newark    NJ    U.S. Air Force

Jefferson Sanders    261    73    Newark    NJ    U.S. Marine Corps

James Hunter    356    79    Plainfield    NJ    U.S. Army

Kenneth Keitt    2    69    East Stroudsburg    PA   U.S. Marine Corps

Jeffrey Grant    336     70    Plainfield    NJ    U.S. Marine Corps

Patrick Price    473    65    Perth Amboy    NJ    U.S. Army
 

The five-day event, with its focus on demonstrating the unstoppable character of Veterans, offers competitors the opportunity to showcase their talents through events such as basketball, softball, and wheelchair rugby. Approximately 500 Veterans from across the country are expected to participate and will be supported by around 3,000 volunteers and sponsors. 

“The Wheelchair Games epitomizes the strength, courage, and determination of our Veterans.” Said Dave Tostenrude, Director of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. “I’m excited for them to have this impactful experience as part of their health care journey.” 

The first Wheelchair Games was held in 1981. For 45 years, the event has empowered Veterans to live more independent and active lives through adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation. World-class instructors and recreation therapists help Veterans experience the full potential of rehabilitation and sports medicine as a tool to adapt and overcome perceived barriers in our communities, travel, and in life beyond the perception of “disability”. 

To view content from the event, follow and tag @Sports4Vets on X, Instagram, and Facebook and search #wheelchairgames. B-roll video and photos will be available during the event at https://www.flickr.com/photos/veteransaffairs/albums/with/72177720326323748.

*Photos will be updated each day of the event, beginning July 10 and can be searched by bib number at https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/MI/Detroit/USNationalVeteransWheelchairGames.

For more information or to request an interview contact damian.mcgee@va.gov or call .