West Point Cadets made veterans day at West Palm Beach Medical Center

Vietnam War veteran gets special visit from West Point cadets

Palm Beach Post
By Jodie Wagner
Posted Feb 13, 2019

Pembrook, who was a three-time NCAA tournament qualifier while at West Point and remains the only golfer to be inducted into the academy’s Sports Hall of Fame, was overjoyed to be able to spend some time with the cadets.

Members of the West Point golf team stopped by the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center on Tuesday to visit with Army veteran and West Point alum Stephen Pembrook, who is recovering from a stroke.

WEST PALM BEACH — At their final stop on a five-day swing through Palm Beach County, the United States Military Academy golf team brought a little Valentine’s Week cheer to an ailing Vietnam War veteran.

Stephen Pembrook, an All-American golfer and former team captain at West Point in the 1960s, has spent the past two months at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center’s Community Living Center, where he is recovering from a stroke.

In an effort to cheer him up during National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, Pembrook’s wife, Mary, and his close friend, George MacClary, arranged for the West Point golfers to stop by.
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Golf Course Dedicated to Disabled Veterans

Golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus for wounded and disabled veterans is coolest in Pacific Northwest
Seattle Times
Matt Calkins
June 4, 2016

“They dedicated their lives to save us, so why can’t we give something back to them? When I brought Jack aboard, something like this was in my dreams, and now here it is.” Ken Still

Jim Martinson, a bilateral above-the-knee amputee, chips on the new portion of the American Lake Veterans Golf Course.

(Peter Haley)

TACOMA — The coolest golf course in the Pacific Northwest isn’t Chambers Bay or the Home Course.

It won’t host a major or become a “must play” for bucket-listers, either.

It does, however, offer one of the most incredible sights in golf, and we’re not talking about an ocean view.

No, we’re talking about the people.

Welcome to American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Tacoma — the only golf course in the nation designed specifically for the rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans. Nowhere else in the U.S. will you find 18 holes set up for those who lost arms, legs, or whatever else fighting for their country.

The course, which opened in 1957, has helped countless vets find sanctuary while inspiring hundreds of volunteers. Among those giving their time? Jack Nicklaus, the best to ever play the game.

You see, 15 years ago, Nicklaus’ friend Ken Still — a three-time PGA Tour winner from Tacoma — joined the board at American Lake. He said that the instant he saw the golfers playing he knew he wanted to be a part of it. And one night during a meeting, the board concluded that it should add nine holes to the nine-hole course, which would require a designer.
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Iraq Veteran's Home Robbed 3rd Time

Thieves Target Iraq Veteran’s Home Three Times 
CBS
Steve Pickett
July 29, 2015

Bowden also struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Golfing became therapy — until burglars stole the golf clubs.

FORNEY (CBSDFW.COM) – Kevin Bowden’s garage is his late night sanctuary. “When I don’t sleep, I’m here,” he said, pointing to one of two patio chairs stationed at opening of the garage of his Forney home.

Sleep is an apparent rarity for the Iraq War veteran. Disabled after sustaining an injury to his brain after a roadside bomb detonated under his military Humvee, the former Army Sergeant takes refuge in his garage, filled with tools, lawn equipment and a home security system.

Missing from the inventory are drills, a leaf blower and Bowden’s treasured golf clubs.
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Amputee Iraq Veteran Golfing Again

Iraq War vet off the sideline, on the links after leg amputation 
KSL Golf
By Rod Zundel
May 1, 2015

HERRIMAN — Bryant Jacobs of Herriman is an Iraq War veteran who was hit by a roadside bomb in 2004. He eventually lost his leg, but that hasn’t stopped him from enjoying the game of golf he loves.

Jacobs almost enlisted right out of high school, but went to college briefly and “absolutely hated it,” he said.

After the events of Sept. 11, he and a friend quickly joined the Army. “I think that patriotism came out of everybody,”
Jacobs said.

“Whether it was joining the military or gaining a new respect for our country, we really focused on what our country was about and what we do.”

Jacobs was stationed in Hawaii, but the day he got to his unit, they left for Iraq.

He was a combat engineer, or in other words, a fancy way of playing with C-4 every day, he said. 

“Our main objective was taking care of IEDs and caches that we would find,” Jacobs said. “We would dispose of it and blow it up. We got to blow stuff up every day. It was a great job.”

Nearly 11 months into his tour, Jacobs’ unit was clearing the roads before a mission when he got hit by a roadside bomb in December 2004.

They were traveling 50 miles per hour, and then chaos ensued.
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Army Captains Move Wedding After Commander-in-Chief Planned Golf Game in Hawaii

Soldiers Relocate Wedding to Accommodate Obama's Golf Game
Bloomberg News
Michael C Bender
Dec 29, 2014

An unusual RSVP from the commander in chief leads to an unforgettable moment for Army newlyweds.

Natalie Heimel and her fiancé, Edward Mallue Jr., a pair of captains in the Army, were walking from their wedding rehearsal on Saturday at the 16th tee box at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course in Hawaii when they were informed they'd have to move their wedding, scheduled for the next day.

President Barack Obama wanted to play through.

It was the second time that day that the couple heard from the nation's commander in chief, whose affinity for golf has, at times, caused political headaches for the White House.

Stationed in Hawaii and knowing the president spends his Christmas holiday on the islands, they invited him to their ceremony on a lark. They had received a letter earlier on Saturday saying Obama regretted he couldn't come and wishing them happiness on their wedding day.

“He apologized and congratulated them,” McCarthy said, adding that it was a “wonderful talk.”

“We were all there, it was perfect,” she said. “Made their day.”
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Three Tour Iraq Veteran, Critical Condition After Being Shot

UPDATE

Antioch: Community members raise funds for war vet shot near home

IRAQ VET WHO SERVED THREE TOURS OF DUTY, SHOT IN ANTIOCH
ABC7 San Francisco
By Laura Anthony
Friday, August 01, 2014

ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) -- Brandon Del Fiorentino is in critical condition after being shot on Golf Course Road in Antioch early Friday morning. It's the fourth shooting in Antioch in 48 hours.

"It's horrible that that would happen to him here. that he would survive his tours of duty and then come here and get shot," said Dorothy Harden, a neighbor who lives across the street from him.

The Marine veteran and Purple Heart recipient was shot multiple times while walking near his Antioch home.

Del Fiorentino served three tours in Iraq as a scout sniper instructor. He received a purple heart after suffering a severe head injury from an IED explosion.
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Combat Medics in Afghanistan Have More Balls

Flint Township business donates 1,500 golf balls to Flushing soldier in Afghanistan
The Flint Journal
By NICOLE WEDDINGTON
February 10, 2014

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan — U.S. Army medevac helicopter pilots stationed in a mountainous area of Afghanistan soon will be working off their stress whacking golf balls donated by Flint Township's King Par Golf.

Brendan "B.J." Coleman has played golf his entire life and plays as much as he can when he comes back to the States. The 33-year-old Flushing High School graduate is a medevac helicopter pilot in the Army. Currently serving in Afghanistan, the chief warrant officer 2 and his unit enjoy hitting golf balls in their spare time.

"One of the first things that B.J. asked me to send him when he went to Afghanistan was golf balls," laughed Coleman's mother, Andi Willman.

"We like to hit golf balls because it is fun and relieves stress. We have only been able to hit a few balls because we only have a few and some get lost. Some of us play golf back home, but some have never swung a club. It's good to share new skills and show others another way to pass the time on those slow days," said Coleman in an email to The Flint Journal

This is Coleman's 10th year in the Army and second year as a medevac pilot. "He is making a career out of it," said Willman, 61, of Flushing. He is currently completing his degree in aeronautics and has an 11-year-old daughter who he visits as often as possible when he is at his base in the states.

"They built a mini course and a driving range (in Afghanistan). But they are running out of golf balls," said David Stanley, Coleman's stepfather. He said he was talking to Coleman one night when he mentioned that he needed some more golf balls. "He said they like to hit at things that don't shoot back," laughed Stanley.
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Terminally Ill Burn Pit Veteran Needs Help to Golf

Veteran with terminal illness finds new passion
KVVU News
Written by Elizabeth Watts
Posted: Jan 14, 2014

LAS VEGAS (FOX5)

Retired Staff Sgt. Daniel Meyer served in Iraq and Afghanistan. While there, he said he was exposed to burn pits.

The pits are used to dispose of the military's trash. Items burned include everything from paint cans to tires. Meyer said he breathed the toxic air in while living next door to the pits.

"I suffer from a disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. It's a terminal progressive illness," the 29-year-old said.

One day he won't be able to breathe and will need a double lung transplant. He also has bilateral masses on his legs, confining him to a wheelchair.

He's not alone.

"I know other guys who were at the same base as me at the same time, and they have the same lung disease," Meyer said.

In 2012 Meyer was invited to a golf camp for wounded veterans. The Harmon's Heroes Foundation gave him custom-made Titleist golf clubs and exposed him to the links.

"It was an event that definitely changed my life," Meyer said.
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Orlando area veteran's events from Cathy Haynes

UPDATES for Orlando area veteran's events from Cathy Haynes

Veterans Outreach Foundation, Inc. (VOF) is hosting their 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Haley House Fund, Inc. of Tampa. Sat. May 18. The fund provides assistance for temporary housing and transportation to families of critically wounded service members being treated at the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa – one of only five military Polytrauma Rehabilitation Units in the country. Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge (Panther Lake Course). 7am registration, 8:30am tee time, 4-man scramble, shotgun start, $100 per player. On-course events include farthest drive, closest-to-pin, and hole-in-one with a grand prize of a 2013 Honda Accord! Sponsorships are available, 100% of proceeds benefit the charity. Entry fee includes golf, lunch, giveaways, and entry to silent auction. For more information or to register a foursome, contact Brandan Holbrook at 407-437-5922 or email VOF777@bellsouth.net.

I am volunteering at this. Are you?
Seminole County Homeless Veterans’ Stand Down on Sat. May 18, (Armed Forces Day) at the Seminole County Health Department. Stand Downs typically provide services such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling; as well as referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. Volunteer registration can be found on their website at HSNCFL. 400 W. Airport Blvd. Sanford.

6th Annual Memorial/National Armed Forces Day Event and Freedom Ride – Sat. May 18; Activities begin at 10am at Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson at 2480 U.S. 27, Clermont, 34711. $10pp tickets benefitting DAV. Live music, free lunch and “Freedom Isn’t Free” event pin to first 300 who register. See website for list of events. Ribbon signing which will be placed on wreath, at abt. 2pm Police escorted Freedom Ride to Bushnell National Cemetery for patriotic ceremony. Bring unwanted cell phones to donate to Wounded Warriors Outdoors. Stormy Hill Harley, click ‘News and Events’ or call Peggy at 352-787-8050 or cell 352-267-3190

Vietnam Veterans Recognition Celebration – Sat. May 18. Parade starts at 10am on Main Street Main Street and Disston Avenue, Tavares, 32778 in Lake County. Recognition and Honor Ceremony at 12noon in Wooten Park – notable keynote speaker is Capt. Charlie Plumb, USN(R) - a POW in Vietnam for six years. Info on website: http://vvr2013.org POC: George Wanberg at 352-250-9728 georgew@vvr2013.org Free and Sponsors welcomed!!!

The Museum of Military History in honor of Armed Forces Day presents their first annual Military Appreciation Weekend on Sat. and Sun., May 18 and 19 at Mac Overstreet Regional Park, 5271 Pleasant Hill Rd., Kissimmee, 34746. (South of Kissimmee on Co Rd 531) The event will be highlighted by a WWII battle re-enactment and weapons demonstration on Saturday. Local historian and re-enactor will attend in Civil War uniform to share information about the war that almost divided our country. Sunday: The 463rd Cadet Squadron Civil Air Patrol and Sea Cadet units will present the colors and participate in competitive events. Also a special concert of WWII and USO era music by the Bahia Dance Band. The program opens at 9am on Sat. and is open to the public. Admission is free but there is a parking fee of $7 to offset event expenses. Food vendors, booths, radio controlled airplane demonstrations, displays, and children’s activities will be available both days. Details: 407-507-3894 MuseumofMilitaryHistory.com

3rd Annual Pars and Stripes Forever Golf Tournament Camaraderie Foundation MONDAY May 20 at the Country Club of Orlando, 1601 Country Club Dr., Orlando, 32804. Assist our current military, veterans and their families through mental health support and counseling. Currently, Camaraderie has 59 people getting active counseling assistance. These are active duty personnel, veterans, spouses and their children seeking to strengthen troubled areas in their lives such as adjusting to home from the battlefield, Post Traumatic Stress and other issues. The organization gives scholarships to these brave families to assist them quicker/more timely than other resources. 407-841-0071

Sgt. Shawn Whitmore dazzled PGA Tour players

WTU golfer Whitmore comes full circle at Walt Disney World
October 31, 2011

By Tim Hipps (IMCOM)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Despite being told twice by doctors that he would never play golf again, Sgt. Shawn Whitmore dazzled PGA Tour players at the 2011 Children's Miracle Network Classic.

Whitmore, a two-time survivor of bouts with mortar rockets and improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan, held his own with PGA Tour golfers on the Palm and Magnolia courses at Walt Disney World Resort on Oct. 20-21.

"With the golf and the people and my wife and kids here, this is probably one of the best days and best weeks of my life," Whitmore said after ending two rounds of pro-am play with a birdie putt. "And that's the least I can say about it. It's just the epitome."

Whitmore teamed with pro David Duval on Thursday for a round of 1-under-par 71 on the Magnolia course. With his handicap, Whitmore scored 2-under after finishing with a bogey on No. 18. Davis Love III was the other pro in the group.

Whitmore is "a really good player," Love said. "He made a lot of pars. He talked about his kids, his service, and everything he's done. He's an amazing guy, very humble, and it was great to be out with him.
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Adaptive wheelchair gives wounded warriors chance to play golf

Adaptive wheelchair gives wounded warriors chance to play golf
Green2Green is a nonprofit working to bring the game of golf to wounded warriors, and now they're not letting a handicap or injury get in the way.
Posted: 6:27 PM Jul 22, 2011
Reporter: Katie Beasley

News 12 at 6 o'clock / Friday July 22, 2011

EVANS, Ga. -- Most people take the simple use of healthy, working legs for granted, but many wounded warriors come home with injuries that take away the use of one or both legs.

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Now, one local group is trying to give those men and women a little hope in the form of a unique wheelchair.

Green2Green is a nonprofit working to bring the game of golf to wounded warriors, and now they're not letting a handicap or injury get in the way.

Specialist Danny McGowan was injured last year in Afghanistan. He's confined to a wheelchair and says playing golf hasn't been much of a priority.

"We were hit by an IED and it damaged my truck. I sustained multiple injuries to my back and to my legs," McGowan said.

But thanks to a special wheelchair, McGowan can hit the greens again.

"It's been a long time for me, and doing it today, it felt great, it really felt great," he said.

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Adaptive wheelchair gives wounded warriors chance to play golf

Homeless Veteran Refuge Turned Into Private Golf Course

Golf is a game played by a different class of people, usually upper income folks. Homeless veterans are another class, usually thinking of other people more than themselves even when they don't have a place to live. There is something really wrong with this country!

Donations allow wounded vets to take a golf swing

Donations allow wounded vets to take a golf swing

By DANIELA FLORES
Associated Press Writer


TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Brian Coleman was never in the service and has no ties to the military. But when he began looking for a cause to support after his retirement, he decided helping wounded veterans was the way to go.

Now the 62-year-old, who splits his time between Madison and Bradenton, Fla., spends anywhere from 35 to 70 hours a week running Golf Supports Our Troops, a nonprofit that raises money to donate golf equipment to military hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

"My intent was not to teach these guys to be golf pros," Coleman said. "It was to have some fun, maybe get golf into their recovery, but it was the health benefits of the equipment that I thought would be interesting."

Coleman retired from the graphic arts/printing field eight years ago, but after two years of boredom, decided to start a small golf company. Then, a year and a half ago, he decided he'd had enough. Left with a huge inventory, he thought he could do something good with it and Golf Supports Our Troops was born.
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Bush didn't tell the truth about golfing either

This morning on CNN, they were talking about Bush's claim he gave up golfing out of respect for the fallen. Turns out that is not exactly true.

Inside BASS
President Bush, Alton Jones enjoy a round of golf
By Tim TuckerAug. 27, 2003(Archive)
Updated: September 2, 2003, 6:56 PM ET
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Nine years ago, veteran Texas pro Alton Jones guided then-Gov. George W. Bush on a fishing trip to Lake Aqilla. The pair was recently reunited in the great outdoors.

Alton Jones shakes hands with President Bush after a friendly game of golf.This time it was on the first green of the Ridgewood Country Club near Waco, where Jones lives, and Crawford, which serves as the President's southern White House while visiting his home state.
It was on the golf course that a gracious President Bush greeted Jones and Charles Pack, a mutual friend who hosts a local television fishing show. Pack had pre-arranged the meeting with the President, who fishes his own 80-acre stocked bass lake on his Crawford ranch.
"It was probably the most amazing thing I've ever experienced," Jones said. "He remembered all about our fishing trip, and I was surprised to learn that he follows the (CITGO Bassmaster) Tour. He knew that I had had a real good season.
"It was a thrill to talk with the president. He is a genuinely nice, sincere person."
When Jones and Pack arrived on the course (after submitting to a government background check), President Bush recognized them and waved to them to join him and his entourage (which included 19 golf carts). As they ducked under the security barrier, they were immediately confronted by Secret Service agents. The President instructed the agents to allow them to continue toward the green.
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/columns/story?page=bass_col_tourney_trail_030827

Bush Shoveling Out Iraq Happy Talk
Associated Press Writer Scott Lindlaw contributed to this report, 10.13.03.
WASHINGTON – President Bush, annoyed by what he considers the “filter” of news reporting, will seek to go around the press on Monday through television outlets that do not routinely cover the White House.
Bush was giving a series of interviews to make the case that the situation in Iraq is getting better.
The Commander-And-Sneak George W. Bush shows off his military skills at the Andrews Air Force Base Golf Course in Maryland, using golf club to command troops to “Charge!” Bush acquired his knowledge of tactics and strategy watching John Wayne cavalry movies in his childhood. He has told the press that he receives direct orders from God on military matters (such as invading Iraq).
http://www.williambowles.info/gispecial/gi-113.html

Yesterday I posted how he made the claim of giving up golf because of the fallen troops but managed to do a stunt for the video he presented for laughs at the correspondents dinner. I brought up the fact of how many lost their lives looking for the WMD Bush managed to joke about looking for on this tape. This morning one of the panel on CNN raised the fact that maybe he should have taken care of the wounded out of respect instead of giving up golfing. He was right.

The conditions at Walter Reed were known by his administration in 2004. He did absolutely nothing. We've have years of members of his administration hiding data on the wounded, the suicides and the backlog of claims, yet Bush seems to think that his golfing is so damn important that the imagine of his sacrificing it for the troops would be of any value to anyone! Well turns out that wasn't true either. Above are just two pictures of him enjoying golfing. Who knows how many more are out there on the net?

This just came out on Raw Story

Bush's last round of golf as president dates back to October 13, 2003, according to meticulous records kept by CBS news.

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Bush_I_quit_golf_over_Iraq_war_05132008.html

In the interview he said he gave up golfing in August. Looks like one month is just like anyother to him.

Hurt vets golf with Hootie and the Blowfish

Hurt vets golf with Hootie and the Blowfish

By Pete Iacobelli - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Apr 11, 2008 19:27:41 EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. — J.P. King was an avid golfer who played whenever he could, enjoying a break from his job as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Army.

All of that changed in 2005, when the 46-year-old injured his back in Iraq. With a lengthy rehab recommended, the last thing on King’s mind was returning to the links.

However, King and other veterans got involved in a program that helps wounded soldiers return to golf. And when organizers of Hootie and the Blowfish’s Monday After the Masters event heard about the program, they invited King and five other injured veterans to play among the celebrities at Myrtle Beach.

The program, known as Salute Military Golf Association, was partly founded by Jim Estes, a former PGA Tour player who now teaches golf at Olney Golf Park in Maryland, only a few miles from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_hootiegolf_041108/