Palm
Beach, FL -
Far away from
the battlefield,
members of the
Achilles FREEDOM
TEAM of Wounded
Veterans,
including 5
local veterans
from the VA
Medical Center,
will have an
opportunity to
enjoy the view,
the spectacular
cuisine, and
most
importantly,
golf the
“Championship
18” of Trump
International
Golf Club, on
Friday, December
5, 2008,
courtesy of
Donald J.
Trump.
Successful in
business, he
still has a lot
of heart for our
troops this
Thanksgiving.
“Thanksgiving is
about giving
thanks, and I am
grateful for all
the men and
women who have
allowed me to
live in freedom
in this
wonderful
country. I
personally thank
each and every
one of you for
what you have
done for me and
for this
nation. Your
sacrifice is not
in vain nor is
it unnoticed,”
says Mr. Trump
Master Pro Dr.
Gary Wiren will
provide golf
lessons to the
wounded
veterans, most
who are amputees
preparing as a
team to compete
in the Dec 7th
Marathon of the
Palm Beaches.
After the Friday
morning lesson,
there will be a
buffet lunch on
the outdoor
terrace for all
the “TEE-OFF
with the VETS”
tournament
golfers, vets,
and their family
members who are
here with them
to witness their
athletic
achievement over
the weekend; on
the greens and
two days later,
the 26.2 mile
course of the
Marathon of the
Palm Beaches.
Patriotic events
are planned
prior to the
12:15 Shotgun of
this inaugural
tournament.
Other Palm Beach
supporters
include Jana &
John Scarpa,
Alfons Schmidt,
Howard & Michele
Kessler, Robert
Garvy of Intech,
David McCourt,
Hall of Famer
Jim Palmer, JC &
Marty Meyers,
George Cloutier
& Tiffany
Spadafora, Phil
Byrnes and John
Biondo.
The evening at
Trump offers an
opportunity for
all others in
the community to
‘meet and greet’
the wounded vets
at the Evening
Welcome
Reception
Benefit
beginning at
6PM. There will
be a light
dinner buffet,
wine bar
courtesy of
Southern Wines,
special
entertainment
from United We
Sing and an
opportunity to
hear from a few
of the FREEDOM
TEAM members.
All evening
reception
tickets are
$375. To
reserve, call
561-659-0873.
On Sunday,
December 7th,
twenty-nine
athletes with
disabilities
from Achilles,
including
severely wounded
veterans from
Iraq and
Afghanistan of
the Freedom Team
will line up
early to
demonstrate
their strength
and courage in
the Marathon of
the Palm
Beaches. Many
without limbs,
or suffering
from paralysis
will be in the
handcrank
wheelchair
division that
starts off early
at 5:50 am, ten
minutes before
the regular
start of the
able-bodied
runners.
At least five of
the veterans
joining the
FREEDOM TEAM
this year are
from the local
VA Hospital on
Blue Herron. “This
year we’re very
excited about
integrating more
local veterans
into the FREEDOM
TEAM” says
Mary Bryant, who
is the Founder
and Director of
the team, and
Vice President
of Achilles
International.
“Previously,
most of our
members came
directly from
the major
military
hospitals, such
as Walter Reed,
yet now we’ve
opened the
Achilles program
up to the local
VA since the
community of the
Palm Beaches is
so supportive of
our efforts!”
Along with
Achilles South
Florida regulars
from Miami,
Lance Benson (a
successful
commercial
real-estate
broker with Grub
& Ellis born
without legs
competes on a
skateboard) and
Juan Carlos Gil
(mobility and
visually
impaired),
you’ll find
Achilles members
from Boynton
Beach, Palm
Beach Gardens,
and Greenacres!
For them, it
will be a first
time experience
to take on a
full marathon.
RSVP: 561
659 0873
Ticket Price -
$375
About Achilles
Achilles
International,
is dedicated to
enabling people
with all types
of disabilities
to participate
in mainstream
athletics,
thereby
promoting
personal
achievement,
enhanced
self-esteem, and
the lowering of
barriers between
able-bodied and
disabled people.
Founded in 1983
as a running
club, this
worldwide
organization is
represented in
over 70
countries.
The “Achilles
Freedom Team of
Wounded Vets” is
comprised mainly
of young men and
women from
Walter Reed Army
Medical Center,
Brooke Army
Medical Center
and Balboa Naval
Hospital who
have been
wounded in Iraq
or Afghanistan.
Achilles
provides for
race training
and entries,
financial and
educational
support, and
encouragement
and team spirit,
and its members
participate in
wide variety of
athletic events
such as
marathons, runs,
biathlons,
triathlons, bike
races and tours
and swimming
meets around the
nation and the
world.
For more on the
FREEDOM TEAM and
Palm Beach
events, visit