Resilient Warriors: Honoring Our Veterans with Every Move
Tomah VA Veterans Recognized for their Participation and Dedication to Health and Wellness Through Adaptive Sports and VA National Events.
On January 28, 2025, Tomah VA Medical Center Veterans were recognized for their participation and dedication to health, healing, and wellness through Adaptive Sports and VA National Events during an annual awards ceremony. Veterans were invited to attend this ceremony to celebrate their individual accomplishments, successes, and determination while also sharing their fears and challenges along the way. Through these specialized rehabilitation programs, Veterans have developed purpose, camaraderie, healing, and connection.
The eleven Veterans in attendance participated in local sports clinics held at the Tomah VA or VA National Events. Local clinics include air rifle, archery, pickleball, cycling, golf, and the National Adaptive Sports Clinic. National Events include National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, National Veterans Golden Age Games, National Veterans Wheelchair Games, National Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, and National Veterans Golf Clinic.
Veterans not in attendance were recognized for their accomplishments through presentations and rounds of applause from peers and staff.
Veterans present and awards received include:
Marvin Bailey - National Veterans Wheelchair Games, air rifle, cycling, and National Adaptive Sports Clinic
Becky Fitzpatrick - National Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, National Veterans Golden Age Games, National Veterans Creative Art Festival, and all local clinics
Douglas Korslin - National Veteran Golden Age Games, air rifle, archery, and National Adaptive Sports Clinic
Carol Stevens - National Veterans Golden Age Games, air rifle, pickleball, and National Adaptive Sports Clinic
John Lukesh - local golf and archery clinics
Julie Humphrey - National Veterans Golden Age Games, air rifle, archery, pickleball, and National Adaptive Sports Clinic
Shawn Belisle - National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (Two - 1st place National Performing Arts, and one 2nd place)
Ernie Renkert - National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (Two - 1st place National Performing Arts, and one 2nd place)
Bill Figueroa - National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (1st place National Performing Arts)
James Nickel - National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (1st and 3rd place in National Visual Arts)
Scott Humburg - National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (2nd place National Visual Arts)
The Adaptive Sports and VA National Events awards ceremony is important to acknowledge the amazing work that Veterans are doing for themselves through sports and art. These events showcase how sports and art can connect those Veterans who are able-bodied and disabled and bridge the gap.
Seeing Veterans awarded for their accomplishments and hearing their positive experiences during the awards ceremony may also encourage other Veterans interested in Adaptive Sports or VA National Events to get involved.
If Veterans are interested in any of the Adaptive Sports and/or Creative Arts offerings, please reach out to Marissa Dos Santos for Adaptive Sports and Bethany Riedel for Creative Arts by calling Tomah VA Medical Center at 608 372-3971.