Out riding today with my wife, I met the VP of an organization I had no idea existed. Rachelle Vyas USMC Ret. approached me to ask about CVMA and in our discussion, she also told me about the wonderful thing she is doing to help disabled veterans in our community. Apparently there is a hockey league and every player has a service connected disability. We have our own team in the DMV area - The District Warriors!
The District Warriors are a veterans' ice hockey team that is dedicated to helping veterans and disabled veterans heal invisible wounds and prevent veteran suicide by rebuilding bonds similar to active duty.
There is never enough help out there for our service men and women. Thank you to the members and staff for giving their time, sweat and tears. Programs like this are things that build stability and the sense of belonging. Things many veterans feel as if they no longer have once they leave the service.
I encourage you to go take a look at the website here, and their Facebook page here. If you are interested in joining the league or just interested in helping them make a difference in a veterans life, go ask some questions and find out about it.
About Warrior Hockey
USA Hockey’s Warrior Hockey Discipline is dedicated to injured and disabled US Military Veterans who have served our country and play the sport of ice hockey. As one of the Disabled Hockey Section's newest disciplines, Warrior Hockey is quickly growing across the country. While some of the participants played hockey prior to being injured, many try it for the first time for therapeutic reasons. To be eligible to compete in the Warrior Hockey Discipline, participants must be or have been Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard), with former Members required to have been discharged under honorable or general conditions. For full eligibility criteria, see the Warrior Hockey rules below. USA Hockey thanks the men and women of the armed forces for their service.
You must meet one of the following criteria for eligibility:
Purple Heart.
VA rating of 10% or greater.
Medically discharged from active, reserves or National Guard. Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service.
Post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service.
Any Veteran with a disability that did not occur during Military Service and meets discharge eligibility.
Comments