This Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 15 wounded warriors will gather at Utah’s Snowbird Resort for the Soldiers to the Summit at Snowbird event that will include skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. From non-profit World T.E.A.M. Sports, the event is the follow-up to the organization’
The Snowbird event includes veterans like Marine William Beard of Vicksburg, Miss., who was severely injured in March 2008 when his Humvee was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. The resulting explosion resulted in numerous injuries, including the loss of both index fingers. Amanda Brewer, a 21 year veteran from Cabot, Ark., was injured in the June, 1996 terrorist attack on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. Despite numerous injuries, she remained in the Air Force for another 14 years, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ed “Koz” Kozlowski from Land O Lakes, Fla. toured the world during his 24 years in the Air Force. Currently working with a defense contractor, Kozlowski suffers from combat-related PTSD. Charles Register of Santa Ana, Calif., joined the Navy in 1963. Stationed on various naval vessels, he served during the war in Vietnam. He reports that his disabilities “stem from Agent Orange exposure while on the base at DaNang.” He has had a kidney transplant, is legally blind and is a below the knee amputee.
Sponsored by Snowbird Resort, the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird, Wasatch Adaptive Sports and American Airlines, the Soldiers to the Summit at Snowbird event will provide these American heroes with an opportunity to learn and experience winter sporting activities. For some of the veterans, it will be their first time on snow. For all participants, their days at Snowbird Resort will allow them to create new, positive relationships with other veterans through teamwork and cooperation.
“At American Airlines, supporting U.S. service members, veterans, and their families is an extremely important, long-term commitment,”
More information about the event is available at http://worldteamsports.org/
About Snowbird Resort
Named Outside Magazine’s #1 winter ski resort for North America in 2008, Snowbird Resort is located in the scenic Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Little Cottonwood Canyon, one mile down canyon from Alta. Only 29 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, Snowbird averages about 500 inches of snow each winter. Featuring a vertical drop of over 3,200 feet, and 2,500 skiable acres, the resort has a top elevation of 11,000 feet. Terrain at the resort is 73 percent intermediate and expert, with the longest run at 2.5 miles. Open since December 1971, the resort was host to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
About the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird
The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird opened for business in 1973, and has had several major renovations in the decades since its opening. Offering Snowbird Resort’s only ski-out, ski-in accessibility, the Lodge serves as the flagship hotel for the resort. Located in the hotel are three restaurants, two lounges, two swimming pools and four hot tubs. An 11 story atrium in the Cliff Lodge offers superb views of the mountain. The hotel offers 512 rooms on 13 floors.
About Wasatch Adaptive Sports
Wasatch Adaptive Sports was founded in 1977 and helps provide affordable recreational and educational programs for children, veterans, and adults with special needs. A 501(c)3 foundation, Wasatch Adaptive Sports provides full or partial scholarships so all interested persons can participate. The organization’
Regional organizations participating in the Wasatch Adaptive Sports programs include Primary Children’s Medical Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Rehabilitation Center at University of Utah Health Care, the VA Medical Center, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the greater Salt Lake Area.
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection®
AMR Corporation and certain of its United States-based subsidiaries, including American Airlines, Inc. and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation, filed voluntary petitions on Nov. 29 for Chapter 11 reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. More information about the Chapter 11 filing is available on the Internet at http://aa.com/
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For more than 20 years, the non-profit World T.E.A.M. Sports has used athletics to challenge disabled and non-disabled men, women and children to accomplish goals they never thought possible. At all our events – whether mountain climbing, biking, white water rafting or many other sports – four things always happen: (1) Disabled participants build self confidence and physical fitness; (2) The disabled provide a role model for other disabled citizens, encouraging them to take up athletic activities; (3) The disabled provide a moving inspiration to other participants and to spectators when they see disabled individuals can reach goals and meet challenges beyond anyone’s imagination;
