DAV Partners with USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DAV announced today a partnership with the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program based in Rockville, Md. The partnership, along with a grant awarded to the team by the DAV Charitable Service Trust, represents a shared mission between two organizations committed to supporting those injured in service to our nation.

“We really value the interest that DAV has taken in our program”

“The USA Warriors and DAV share a common mission to offer services to our nation’s injured veterans,” said National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. “An important piece of this partnership is that both organizations are proud to welcome all veterans who have service-connected injuries, no matter their service era, whether or not you can see the scars of their service.”

The USA Warriors program for rehabilitative standing and sled hockey was formed in 2008 for active duty service members and veterans who have sustained an injury or incurred an illness as a result of their service in the nation’s military. This includes visible injuries like amputations or disfigurement, as well as “invisible” injuries like traumatic brain injury, internal organ damage, unseen physical illness and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Recently, the team began working closely with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., to offer monthly sled ice hockey clinics as part of the physical and mental rehabilitation for patients.

“We feel our partnership with DAV will enable us to help more and more injured and disabled service members and veterans in their rehabilitation by offering them a chance to play the great game of hockey,” said USA Warriors President Thom Hirsch. “There is something about ice hockey, including sled hockey, that is so beneficial to individuals with disabilities. We also hope that, with DAV’s support, we will be able to expand our ice hockey program into other locations throughout the country.”

The partnership also places focus on educating the public about the service and sacrifices of veterans. USA Warriors team members play several public games per year and have taken part in National Hockey League intermission shoot-out competitions to help build player confidence, as well as raise public awareness.

“We really value the interest that DAV has taken in our program,” said Hirsch. “DAV’s interest validates to our players, and our volunteers who support them, that we are doing the right thing by offering ice hockey programs to those service members and veterans who have made and are making major sacrifices as a result of their efforts to keep us safe and to protect our liberties. We look forward to building a close and long-term relationship with DAV which has impressed us with its dedication to serving our nation’s veterans.”

DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them, fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with 1.2 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.

The USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that offers sled and standing ice hockey programs to injured, ill and disabled service members and veterans. The USA Warriors program is the 2012 Recipient of the Director’s Creative Humanitarian Achievement Award from the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Program in Physical Therapy Education. Founded in 2008, the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program practices at the Rockville Ice Arena in Maryland. For more information go to www.usawarriorshockey.org and www.facebook.com/usawarriors.