It was a beautiful July weekend, perfect for friends and family to gather for food, fun, and water sports at the scenic Rockaway (New York) beachside.

The occasion was the second year of the Annual Adaptive Water Sports Festival, July 6-9, hosted by DS/USA, and its partner, the Wounded Warrior Project. Four days of waterskiing, fishing, scuba diving, and sailing for wounded service men and women and their families was made possible by the sponsorship and support of Graybeards, Ltd.; the Fire Department of New York (FDNY); and the Adaptive Sports Foundation, a chapter of DS/USA. Additional sponsors included: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Atlantis Mega Yacht, DEMA Scuba Tour, FDNY Family Transport Foundation, Rockaway Point Yacht Club, NYPD, Breezy Point, Rockaway Beach, and several other chapters of DS/USA. Atlantis Mega Yacht provided the Friday evening dinner cruise in New York Harbor. Kawasaki Motors Corp. donated 60 life jackets for use not only at the Rockaway event, but in its other adaptive water sports programs throughout the U.S.

"...if I let it keep me down, the insurgent that shot the RPG at me,
he winds, so I try to live my life normally..." -Spc. Dean Schwartz

Residents of Rockaway opened their homes to host 30 Wounded Warriors – soldiers, Marines, and Guardsmen severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rockaway, home to many New York City firefighters and police officers and the families of those killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, honored the heroes who went to war for them with a parade, a street party, and a Catholic Mass at the Breezy Point 9/11 Memorial.

“I am so excited that I am here in this world, and that God has given me a second chance at life. I am glad to be a part of such a wonderful organization that helps people overcome the challenges that life has given them,” said John Jones, U.S. Marine Corps, who is a double leg amputee. “The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project has given my family the opportunity to see that I can still do anything, no matter what the challenge.”

The event began when the Wounded Warriors rode into Rockaway on antique fire trucks, escorted by the NYPD, including NYPD choppers, and the FDNY. Traffic came to a standstill along the Staten Island Expressway as people watched the procession. Overpasses along the route were filled with supporters, more fire trucks, and banners. Firefighters in dress uniform and work uniform stood in salute as the parade passed. Then, after meeting their host families at the Beach Club in Rockaway, the soldiers and Marines prepared for a weekend of sailing, fishing, waterskiing, and scuba diving. They were assisted by 25 New York City firefighters and volunteers from the
Adaptive Sports Foundation, a chapter of DS/USA, who received special
training in adaptive water sports instruction.

“Facing the challenges of a disability can be an overwhelming experience,” said Kirk Bauer, DS/USA’s executive director, and a disabled Vietnam War veteran. “With the New York City firefighters volunteering to teach at the
Adaptive Water Sports Festival, it sends a powerful message to everyone with
a disability that all challenges can be faced and overcome with courage, perseverance, and support from others. It’s heartwarming to see the
firefighters supporting the Wounded Warriors and to witness all of these heroes working together in the face of adversity.”

Purple Heart recipient Sgt. Mike Meinen lost his right leg from a rocket-propelled grenade near Falujah in August, 2003. He is now waterskiing.
“I really feel like I conquered something this weekend,” he said.

Sgt. Christian Valle, who became a double amputee last October after an explosive device hit his convoy near Balad, Iraq, was learning the basics of scuba. “I don’t have legs, but I can still float,” he said. Sgt. Orlando Gill, an above-knee amputee, also trying scuba for the first time, joined him. “It’s just so cool to move around with no problem,” he said.

Staff Sgt. John Borders, a bi-lateral lower limb amputee, said, “It’s unreal to see that anyone can just get up on skis. The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project does so much for us; it’s amazing.” Staff Sgt. Borders also was awarded a Purple Heart.

Spc. Dean Schwartz, Purple Heart recipient, was a Virginia Army National Guardsman, when he became an amputee after he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. “My philosophy is, if I let it keep me down, the insurgent that shot the RPG at me, he wins, so I try to live my life normally, and just stay happy.”

The event may best be summed up by Capt. Ryan Kules, an arm and leg amputee, who said, “I don’t feel sorry for myself. That would be too disrespectful for two of my men who didn’t make it in the attack.”

SSG John Borders and wife Mollie expressed, “This was absolutely the best weekend I’ve had since being injured. The Rockaway and Breezy Point communities are full of beautiful people who couldn’t have done any better had they tried. I think our new friendship [with our host family] will last a lifetime! The way it all worked couldn’t have been better. Thank you for this opportunity!”

Photos courtesy of Ken Watson