Wounded US veterans find healing in sports
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Losing his legs during a rocket attack in Iraq seven years ago left Heath Calhoun unable to fulfill his desire to serve his country.
Representing the United States at the Paralympic Winter Games is helping fill that void.
An Alpine skier, Calhoun was the U.S. flag-bearer at the opening ceremonies in Vancouver a week ago, and he finished eighth in the sit-ski Super-G on Friday.
"My military service was kind of left incomplete; it was taken out of my hands by the explosion that took my legs," Calhoun said. "So being able to represent my country on the world's biggest stage is huge for me. It can also give me some closure from starting in the military to finishing up here as a Paralympian." -->-->-->
Soule's triumph testament to the healing powers of sport
Injured war veterans are proving to be the real stars of the Paralympics, writes Daniel Lewis in Vancouver.
What would Franz Wendl make of Andy Soule and the Winter Paralympics? Would he be proud to see a fellow disabled war veteran grab a medal at an event now so popular it gets broadcast around the world? Or would he be angry because, more than half a century after his own terrible experience, young men are still being sent to war to be horribly maimed?
The Vancouver Games website says that it was German World War II veterans such as Wendl - men with amputated or crippled limbs - who pioneered disabled skiing. They organised their first documented competition in Germany in 1948. -->-->-->
Akaka receives ‘Advocate of the Year’ award
MEDIA RELEASE
The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) has presented U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka with its Advocate of the Year award in recognition of his work for veterans, their families, and their survivors.
NASDVA honored Akaka with the award March 18 following a Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by a group of public servants who are striving to help veterans on a state-by-state basis. They know well the challenges we have overcome and the work still in progress. I am grateful for this honor and look forward to continuing our shared advocacy,” said Akaka, Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and a veteran of World War II. -->-->-->
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