Norfolk, Virginia After a day off Monday, the team continued through Wytheville, Virginia where they were met with an outpouring of community support. Three Rivers Media, WXBX 95.3 FM was onsite broadcasting live as well as live-streaming the fast-paced and supercharged game.  The team had a number of fans waiting to get autographs and photos with the USA Patriots Amputee Softball Team members. The team was humbled and honored by one of their biggest fans, a 92 year old World War II Veteran and Wytheville resident in the crowd who joined in for a team photo. The team would later take him to dinner where he declared “I feel like I won the lotto and was the best day of my life”.  The team continues through Virginia making a stop in Strasburg before heading on to Lynchburg, Bedford and ending in Salem this week.

“We are so grateful for the overwhelming show of support by the communities throughout Virginia and we appreciate folks coming out to share their stories and tell us how we have impacted their lives, it’s what we hope to do as USA Patriots” said retired Marine Sergeant and team member Saul Monroy of El Paso, Texas. The team would like to thank both the Tazewell Moose Lodge and the Wytheville Moose Lodge for their hospitality and support.

The USA Patriots team is made up of men and women, both veterans and active duty soldiers, from all service branches, who have sustained injuries resulting in amputation. Through extensive rehabilitation, they have become competitive athletes again, playing against able-bodied teams in competitive, celebrity, and exhibition games across the country.

In addition to functioning as an outlet for veterans and active duty soldiers to compete athletically, the USA Patriots use these cross-country games to raise funds for their annual Kids Camp, medical research, and rehabilitation equipment. Now in its fifth year, the USA Patriots Kids Camp seeks to empower young boys and girls with amputations. The camps are led by USA Patriots Amputee Softball team members who work as coaches and mentors, helping teach not just softball skills, but more importantly life skills as well.

You still have some time to attend a few more games in Virginia at the following locations.

May 2nd – Lynchburg, VA

May 3rd – Bedford, VA

May 4th – Vinton/Salem, VA

The team will take a short break after the Tour of Virginia, and continue their season in June beginning with Closter, New Jersey along with two stops in North Dakota including The McQuade, the world’s largest softball tournament.  June will also include what has become an annual Long Island, New York tradition jam packed with outings and a celebrity All Stars night. To find out more details about their entire season, and this year’s Kids Camp, and to follow along with their journey please visit their new website at https://usawwast.orgor Facebook/Instagram: @usawwast

To find out how you can support the USA Patriots, America’s Amputee Softball Team, please contact Executive Director, Desiree Ellison at desiree@thewwast.org.

About the USA Patriots, America’s Amputee Softball Team

USA Patriots, formerly known as Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to inspire and educate others while enhancing the health and welfare of wounded Veteran Amputees. The USA Patriots represent some of our nation’s bravest and most determined heroes, soldiers and veterans. These men and women have sustained severe injuries resulting in amputation, and through extensive rehabilitation, they have become competitive athletes again, playing against able- bodied teams in exhibition games across the country. Their armor now includes prosthetic legs and arms, along with extreme perseverance and attitude, allowing them to continue Serving Beyond The Uniform®. Together they are the USA Patriots, America’s Amputee Softball Team.

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