MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Laura Beardsley, lbeardsley@disabledsportseasternsierra.org, 760.934.0791
Operation Mountain Freedom brings Wounded Warriors to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
January 22nd to 26th, 2018
Wounded, injured, and ill service members and veterans from across the country will participate in adaptive skiing, snowboarding, and community programs.
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, in partnership with Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, will welcome 58 participants to Mammoth Lakes, including recovering active duty and retired service members and their companions. Athletes ranging from 21 to 88 years old will alpine ski, snowboard, and Nordic ski over the course of four days at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center. Private adaptive ski and snowboard lessons for all athletes, taught by dedicated staff and volunteer instructors, will be complimented by fun, group activities like tubing and community meals with guest speakers.
“This particular blend of active duty and veteran athletes offers an incredible opportunity for mentoring – both in regards to life in their new bodies and reintegration into the civilian world,” says Maggie Palchak, Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra’s Programs Director.
Operation Mountain Freedom helps athletes move forward into healing by challenging them through outdoor recreation with family and friends and through shared experiences with other military athletes in the pristine Eastern Sierra.
On Thursday, January 25, the entire Mammoth Mountain community is invited to come together to recognize all participating athletes with a ceremonial Arch of Honor (9:00am at the Gondola Building at Main Lodge). Then at 12:00pm, a private luncheon dedicated to participating service members and their families will be hosted by Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. The luncheon’s guest speakers include Brigadier General Kevin Killea, of Camp Pendleton, and Mammoth Resorts COO Mark Brownlie, who will acknowledge the sacrifice and devotion to duty our Wounded Warriors made to protect our nation and our freedom.
During their time in Mammoth, Wounded Warriors stay at the Westin Monache Resort and are graciously welcomed by many Mammoth Lakes businesses and community members. The Mammoth Lake Fire Department will host a welcome dinner for the athletes and their companions emphasizing the bond between first responders and the various branches of the military. Other dinner programs include an introduction to Canine Companions for Independence at Burgers Restaurant; a quiet, reflective evening with local families; and a farewell for athletes to share their experiences throughout the week hosted by the Good Life Café.
For a complete schedule of events and more information about Operation Mountain Freedom, a camp for Wounded Warriors, please contact Laura Beardsley at 760.934.0791 or email lbeardsley@disabledsporteasternsierra.org.
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is a nationally recognized adaptive sports program that offers year-round instruction for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. Based in and around beautiful Mammoth Lakes, CA, we create inspiring challenges, provide expert instruction, and rally the community to comfortably accommodate people with disabilities. Since 2007, DSES has developed lessons and programs specifically for military athletes. We are currently working on an initiative to build a comprehensive National Wounded Warrior Center to support military athletes in Mammoth Lakes throughout the year. Visit us at: www.disabledsportseasternsierra.org
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