Local Veterans bring home gold, silver, and bronze medals from this year’s 41st National Veterans Wheelchair Games

Over 340 Veterans, representing 39 states including Puerto Rico and Great Britain, competed in over 22 sports and competitive games at the national competition.

“The overall goal of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games is to provide Veterans with an opportunity to engage in sports, make connections, and create special memories that will last a lifetime,” said Section Chief and Medical Director of the Integrative Health and Wellness Center, OVAHCS, Dr. Alicia Williams. “We are very proud of this year’s competitors.”

Local Veterans: Tim Wolfe of Casselberry, Fla. received gold in bocci and air rifle, James “Eddie Hawks of Sandford, Fla. received bronze in softball and took 5th place in air rifle, Glenn “Ike” Fretz of Umatilla, Fla. brought home bronze in wheelchair basketball, Jimmy Green of Ocala, Fla. took silver in discus and bronze in softball and Haywood “Charlie” Merritt of Edgewater, Fla. received gold for participating in at home adaptive eGaming.

“The OVAHCS was well represented at this year’s National games,” said OVAHCS Director/CEO, Timothy J. Cooke. “I’d like to especially thank our staff Recreation Therapists, Barbie Van Camp who coached the Orlando Team and Christina Lafex for assisting as a referee at this year’s games. These special opportunities provided to our Veterans would not be possible without the support of our staff.”

Each year, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games moves from city to city to introduce new Veterans, partners, and volunteers to the event and the world of wheelchair sports. For more information about the 41st National Veterans Wheelchair Games, please visit: Tempe 2022 – Wheelchairgames. 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Office of Public Affairs
Orlando VA Health Care System
407-840-6967 I vhaorlpublicaffairs@va.gov