Philadelphia To Host Veterans Wheelchair Games In August 2014
By Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - As we get ready for Veterans Day, more details are unveiled about the 2014 National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which will be held here in Philadelphia.
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be here next August, with everything from basketball to bowling, softball to swimming. Last year's games in Tampa were the first for Senior Airman and below-the-knee amputee Sean Johnson, but coming out of West Philly, he's looking forward to next year's games on his home turf, and he hopes people will come out to cheer on support the athletes.
"What better way to help a veteran -- our local veterans -- than to get behind something that's going to ultimately get us back on track, and show us new path of life."
About 600 athletes will take part. Among them is Sonny Wimberly who got the Purple Heart in Vietnam. But it was Multiple Sclerosis that put him in a wheelchair. Now, the games mean the world to him.
"I have something I can do other than just sit in a chair," Wimberly says.
He says it's about friendships, camaraderie and rivalries, especially as next year's games will be in his backyard.
"There's a lot of smack-talk like in any sport. And I'm looking for a couple of people coming this way."
And he hopes his city will come out to support the games.
"If you like to see people compete, and put their heart into what they're doing, come out and take a look."
The games will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and other venues in the area August 12-17 next summer, and they're looking for volunteers, sponsors and people to get involved.
For more information and to find out how to volunteer, go to pva.org.
