United States Department of Veterans Affairs

VA Boston Healthcare System

2011 N.E. Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans

Written by Brian Kiernan

The 14th annual New England Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans was held at Mt. Sunapee N.H. the week of January 10, 2011.

Resting atop the mountain 
Co-founders Ralph Marche, Chief Voluntary and Recreation Services VA Boston Healthcare System, and Tony Santilli USMC Retired, worked tirelessly side by side with 137 volunteers to host the event which enabled 53 veterans to participate.

Veterans with varying levels of disabilities are able to partake in activities such as skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, air rifling, wheelchair basketball, ski mobile rides and swimming. Our sincere thanks go out to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tom Kersey and New England Handicap Sports Association (NEHSA), Mount Sunapee, our corporate sponsors, volunteers and participants and all those who, through generous donations, make it possible for us to provide our Nation’s Heroes with “Rehabilitation Through Sport”.

Camaraderie on the court A snowy day
A group poses with their snowboarding gear The thrill of a successful run!
Snowboarding...with just a little help  A veteran and his brother make a break for the basket