2018 WWAST Games!
Area servicemen, Warriors play softball for charity
Resilience,adversity on full display
by LILY MOORE-EISSENBERG | BLADE STAFF WRITER
Published on May 26, 2018
photo/THE BLADE/KURT STEISS
An outpouring of support kept spirits high Saturday as a downpour of rain finally forced members of the Wounded Warriors softball team to take a break during their second game.
“We’re getting a little rusty in the dugout,” Lance Cpl. Josh Wege told spectators. Not satisfied with the smattering of laughter that followed, he gave the audience a nudge.
“That’s an amputee joke, everybody.”
Marking their third trip to Toledo, members of the Wounded Warriors, a softball team and public charity comprised of veterans and active duty servicemen with amputations, faced off against three teams: Toledo Police Department, Sylvania Senior Softball Veterans and Local Celebrities, and Clean Planet Senior Softball Team. Family, friends, and supporters gathered in the stands at Central Catholic’s Mercy Field to cheer on the Warriors and pay tribute to servicemen’s sacrifices on Memorial Day.
The pouring rain during the second game fit the symbolism of the event-resilience in the face of adversity. Although the crowd thinned when the rain started, the players only paused the game once, and dedicated fans stayed in the stands.
One player's parent called the event "spiritual."
"Everybody's on the same page," John Dillard, father of Cpl. Saul Bosquez, said. "Everybody's having a good time. that's what it's all about."
Corporal Bosquez lost his left calf and two toes when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device six months into his first deployment in Baghdad. As the Wounded warriors team captain, he said his fellow players inspire him.
For the warriors, the game isn't just about overcoming physical obstacles. It's grit.
"Most people who see us playing, they see the physical therapy, but for us it's more the mental therapy," Corporal Bosquez said.
His words undescored the team's slogan: "Life without limbs is limitless."
That's the thought behind the team's annual softball camp for children who have also lost limbs. Once a year, the players trade their jerseys for whistles and become camp counselors, coaching young amputees in more than sofball.
"Softball is the superficial layer. We treat them to adapt and ovecome as we did , and we lead by example," Corporal Wege said. "We get them out there and we teach them to conquer their circumstances, not play the victim."
Four years ago, those lessons changed the way Connor Bell, 13, viewed himself and his abilities. A cancer survivor whose left knee was amputated when he was 5, Connor attended the Wounded Warriors' softball camp in 2014. He had never been around other amputees before, and the experince gave him newfound confidence.
"They show you that you can do anything you want," Connor said of the Warriors.
Vonnie Bell, Connor's mother, recalled that her son seemed "lifted up" when he came back from camp.
"He came back just so inflated. He wasn't the lone ranger," she said.
The plyers' can-do attitude sets an example for both children and adults, amputees or not, said Annita Avanda, a former school teacher of Corporal Bosquez's. But for children like Connor and their parents, the thinking fores, ability can be a choice.
"The only limits Connor has is what he chooses not to do," Mrs. Bell said. "And most of the time he chooses to do. so he can do anything he wants."
WWAST golf fund-raiser!
27-Teams compete at Heatherdowns
photo/JIM SCHNEIDER
Greg Mclean won the award for "closest to the pin" on hole #13 at the WWAST golf outing.
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photo/JIM SCHNEIDER
Jeff Weills won the award for the "longest drive" in the men's division at the May 6 WWAST golf outing at Heartherdowns.
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photo/JIM SCHNEIDER
Maureen Goodremont won honors for the "longest drive" in the women's division at the Heathedowns May 6 Golf Outing.
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by Darren Axon
On Sunday, May 6, Sylvania Senior Softball held a golf outing at Heatherdowns Country Club to benefit the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. Around noon, organizers, volunteers and golf course staff began making the final preparations to host 26 teams of golfers(104 attendees in all). As the golfers arrived at the facility to register and warm up, mother nature cooperated and provided us with mild weather to start the event. Recognition was given to the outstanding efforts of Linda Fox, Vicki Schramm and their team of volunteers for helping to make the outing a huge success. SSS veteran and board member Jay Schramm was recognized for his tireless efforts over 6 years to make the WWAST events an integral part of the leagues focus. Also recognized were attendees Dr. Richard Paat and Dr. Andy Torres, who have combined to perform nearly 200 medical missions around the world, providing medical care to over a half million people with no access to medical care.
Finally, it was time to tee it up! Organizer and host, Darren Axon led all the teams out to the course to begin their rounds. In between just a few random and unexpected raindrops, there was some pretty impressive golf being played. As the wind kicked up and conditions became more difficult, it was clear that it would be a tight competition down to the last hole. With the match heating up for the teams, the skills challenges were being contested as well. The long drive champion for the ladies was won by Maureen Goodrement, while the men's long drive champ was Jeff Weills. The closest to the pin award on the 13th hole was captured by Greg MacLean whose tee shot came within a few inches from going in the hole for an ace. The putting contest was won by Lance Crosby who was able to get the putt closer than any of the other competitors throughout the day.
As the team completion was finishing up and the score cards were being handed in, the tension was starting to mount in the clubhouse. In the end the top 7 teams were separated by only four strokes. The team of Michael Ellerbrock, Ryan Babcock, Marty Whalen and Paul Matei wound up on top with a score of 10 under par. Finishing right on their heels at 9 under par was the team of Dan Nagle, Jim Curcio, Ron Stough and Dan Streb.
The biggest winner of the day, however, was the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball team, as the event raised over $3,000 to help them fund their great work with children. A big thank you goes out to everyone who participated, volunteered or donated to this event. Hope to see you all again next year!
St. Elias Church hosts WWAST fund-raiser
photo/JIM SCHNEIDER
DINNER/FUND-RAISER committee members joined together to make the WWAST special event, held at St. Elias Church a huge success. Over 150 attended the fund-raiser that featured speakers, entertainment and a silent-auction. Back row, l-r, Darren Axon, Dave Bell, Jay Schramm, WWAST chairman, DJ Don Zellers, Gary Walton & Rick Glover. Middle row, l-r, Aurora Axon, Becky Schramm Diaz, Vicki Schramm, Marcy Berger, Andrea Zolciak & Gabe Barrow. Front row, l-r, Linda Fox and Fred LeFebvre. The exhibition softball games are scheduled for May 26 at Mercy Health Field, Holland-Sylvania Rd. Entertainment and special events began at 1:00 p.m.