RETURNING THE SERVE United States Association Outreach to Military Service Members, Veterans and Families

VOLUME 9, SUMMER 2013 Emirates Airline US Open Series Holds Military Appreciation Events Throughout North America

Military Appreciation events took place Vice Chairman of this summer all along the road to the US the Joint Chiefs Open. The Emirates Airline US Open Series ADM Sandy featured tributes to both U.S. and Canadian Winnefeld, WTA heroes and their families at the following star player Sloan Stephens and tournaments across North America: BB&T Coach Wayne Bryan Open in Atlanta, Ga.; CitiOpen in joined Military Washington, D.C.; Families at the in Carlsbad, Calif.; Winston-Salem Open in CitiOpen July 2. Winston-Salem, N.C.; New Haven Open at Yale in New Haven, Ct.; Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio; Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada. The USTA and Tennis Canada partnered with our friends at organizations such as the Tribute festivities at all tournaments USO, Armed Forces YMCA, and Dept. of included color guards, anthem singers, Veterans Affairs to get the job done. Thank coin tosses by flag officers, wounded you to the Emirates Airline US Open Series warriors performing the first ceremonial for paying tribute across North America to serve, and complimentary tennis clinics and our military heroes and their families. tournament tickets for military families. USTA 1st VP Katrina Adams and USTA Southern Executive VP Paula Hale greet military families at the BB&T . Tennis Becomes a Part of the 33rd Annual National Veteran Wheelchair Games

This July, the USTA sponsored a tennis clinic The NVWG are sponsored by the Department and exhibition at the 33rd Annual National of Veteran Affairs at a different location Veteran Wheelchair Games held in Tampa, each year, attracting more than 500 veteran Fla. More than 60 veterans signed up for the wheelchair athletes from across the country. first-ever event at the games, and were treated They compete in sporting events ranging from to a day of tennis ranging from beginner to wheelchair softball, basketball, slalom, bocce accomplished player. Two USTA national and many more. Plans are to include tennis wheelchair coaches and four local coaches as an exhibition sport next year and a medal Wheelchair athletes learned the basics of tennis and were on hand to drill, instruct and lead the sport in 2015. were connected to programs where they call home to fun! An army of volunteers led by Judy Foster continue the pathway. of the Sun Coast Tennis Foundation were on hand to lend racquets, shag balls, fetch water and play in up-down doubles Wilson Sporting Goods provided all of the transitional balls for the event. All participants are being connected to tennis programs where they call home.

The USTA took part in the 33rd National Veteran Wheelchair Games in Tampa, Fla., thanks to local coaches and USTA volunteers. SDDTA and Balboa Tennis Club Host 2nd Annual National Wounded Warrior Tennis Camp

The San Diego District Tennis were diverse, from double amputees The positive Association (SDDTA) and Balboa to those which are invisible. feedback from the Tennis Club, in partnership with Naval participants has The positive feedback from the Medical Center San Diego, hosted the been overwhelming, participants has been overwhelming, 2nd Annual National Military Tennis with many with many commenting that tennis is commenting that Camp for Wounded, Ill, and Injured changing their lives for the better, and tennis is changing Service Members and Veterans from in some cases, has saved their lives. their lives for the June 11-16, 2013. better, and in some Grant funding for this program During the camp, 40 wounded, cases, has saved was awarded by U.S. Paralympics, their lives. ill, and injured service members a division of the U.S. Olympic and veterans from all the military Committee, through funding provided branches, along with caregivers, by Veterans Affairs. The grants are participated in 16 hours of tennis provided to facilitate the growth instruction and friendly competitions of Paralympic-sport programming designed to improve their physical for disabled Veterans and disabled and emotional well-being. Group Participants from 18 states and ranged in age members of the Armed Forces. from 22 to 65. evening activities provided additional The USTA’s national charitable opportunities for socializing, tennis equipment, social events and foundation, USTA Serves, also camaraderie and re-integration into incidentals. awarded a grant of $10,000. Dozens the community. of local businesses, community The San Diego District Tennis The participants came from 18 support organizations and recreational Association and Balboa Tennis Club states, as far away as New York and tennis players provided additional are grateful for the opportunity to Florida, and ranged in age from 22 to financial and in-kind donations. As support our nation’s heroes and their 65. More than 70 percent had served a result, all the participants’ costs families through tennis, and sincerely in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, and a few were covered, including airfare, appreciate the many contributions had served in Vietnam. Their injuries lodging, meals, local transportation, that make it possible. USTA Holds Tennis Clinic for Wounded Warrior Project The USTA, USTA Georgia and Southern Crescent Tennis Association teamed up with the Wounded Warrior Project this spring to hold a tennis clinic for 50 wounded service members who attended this year’s Atlanta Soldier Ride. The ride is a three-day biking event sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project, with Each service member received a free racquet to Lisa Krupp, lead pro at the Charlie Norwood VA other sports and activities sprinkled in. take home, compliments of Wilson Sporting Goods. Medical Center wounded warrior tennis program This was the first tennis clinic held in in Augusta, Ga., was on hand to guide the pro that evening about how they never conjunction with a Soldier Ride, but team from Peachtree City Tennis Center as they thought that they could play tennis hopefully just the first of many. served this special population. and how they want to continue playing. “There are only a handful of events We look forward to working with you we work where the volunteers `get all again next year when we come more than they give’...this was truly back to Atlanta for Soldier Ride!” one of those events. During the event, Elaine Hamilton, Executive Director I was asked what we did to be so of USTA Georgia, also commented lucky to receive this opportunity. The on the experience, saying, “All the partnership between Wounded Warrior warriors participated, and they did Project, USTA, USTA Georgia and Southern Crescent Tennis Association volunteers great on the court. They were pretty SCTA really worked and I hope we served lunch, cleaned up and picked up balls tired after the bike rides, but lunch get to work together again very soon,” during the event. gave them a little more energy. Once said Sharon Greiner, President of the they hit the courts, they became Once the ride was over, the USTA Southern Crescent Tennis Association. energetic tennis warriors. I’ve never connected the individual soldiers with “I wanted to send a note to show seen a more engaged or competitive tennis programs wherever they call my appreciation and gratitude for group of adults! Southern Crescent home. Many CTAs even offered up a everything you did to make yesterday’s volunteers were fantastic! They couple of free lessons to help them tennis clinic a huge success!” served lunch, cleaned up and picked get started at home, and each soldier said Amanda Becker, Soldier Ride up balls for almost two hours. The received a free tennis racquet at the Specialist for Wounded Warrior Peachtree Tennis Center pros, led by event, compliments of Wilson Sporting Project.“The warriors had an incredible Ben Maes, did an excellent job with Goods. There are 17 Soldier Rides time and so many of them were talking the on court activities.” held around the country each year. 29 Palms in Full Swing!

A new program has started at 29 Palms Marine Corp Base. Beginning this spring, Tom Fey, Director of Tennis at Indian Wells Tennis Garden took three other USPTA pros/volunteers and conducted a seven-week, four-hour instruction program for the Marines and their families. The program was divided into “Red, White and Blue” for the elementary, middle and high school kids and “Stars and Stripes” for the adults. Each Saturday, between 40 to 50 people attend the clinics. All instruction and equipment was provided at no charge, and once the session 29 Palms Red, White and Blue participants formed a team to compete in the 2013 BNP Paribas Open Kids Day competition. was over 29 Palms put a team together and entered the 2013 field. The Marines played modified BNP Paribas Open Kids Day tennis games using low-compression 10-and-under competition. balls. The USTA representatives Plans are underway to renovate handed out T-shirts and caps. the tennis courts at 29 Palms “It is an honor and a privilege to this summer in tandem with participate in the Wounded Warrior the USTA’s Facility Assistance Family Games,” said Gideon Smith, Program.“This is going to be a great President, Morongo Basin Tennis project, and we’re looking forward to Association.“The Marines, families helping out,” said Maiysha Warren, and our coaches were magnificent.” USTA National Manager, Tennis This is the second year the USTA has Facilities & Development. been a part of the Wounded Warrior Family Games. Tennis coaches from the Morongo Basin and the USTA Southern “I can’t tell you the effect Tom Fey and his instructors are having on the California section participated in the Wounded Warrior Family Games on Marines and family members taking tennis instruction on Base! Tom is really May 1 at the Del Valle Recreation good and all 50 or so folks showing up religiously for his classes are getting Center aboard the Marine Corps better by the week...Thank you so much for providing this opportunity to our Air Ground Combat Center at 29 Marines and their families.” Palms. Portable tennis nets were Very Respectfully, set up in the outfield of a softball Col G. C. Aucoin USMC, Chief of Staff, 29 Palms, CA

Volunteers set up portable nets and hosted Wounded Warrior Family Games for the second year in a row. Military Faces and Places Serving It Up to Deployed Families in Japan As part of a partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of America at military installations, the USTA conducted pilot program trainings in Iwakuni and Yokosuka, Japan. USTA staff introduced 124 elementary school kids at Iwakuni to 10 and under tennis. “It is incredible the work that is done on these bases and the opportunity to touch the lives of so many U.S. kids and families meant so much.” said China Fanning, former USTA National Manager, Education and Outreach. “The day after the tennis `festival,’ kids would pass by during our adult training and yell out that they want to play tennis. This base is hooked!”

Scoops for Troops In partnership with USO North Carolina and the Town of Cary, the Western Wake Tennis Association and Cary Tennis Park pros participated in the 2nd annual “Scoops for Troops” celebration this July, offering a free tennis clinic for kids. The purpose of the event is to honor military families in the area and to educate the civilian population about the great things our heroes do for us day in and day out.

Free Tennis for Military Kids at Frank Veltri Tennis Center At the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in Plantation, Fla, children of deployed or active duty military can attend a two-week tennis camp free of charge. Thank you to Mark Morgenstern and his faithful group of volunteers for providing this unique opportunity to military families in the Broward County area.

Adopt-A-Unit News... From the Battlefield Members of the 1/215 SF-AAT used tennis to strengthen their bond with Afghan soldiers while on deployment in Afghanistan. SSgt Lones, Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan stated “To anyone who says you need good weather and thousands of dollars in equipment to get the job done, well this just goes to show that all you need is a common idea.”

Valor Games Held in North Carolina Thank you to all our military partners USTA North Carolina partnered with Bridge II Sports and the Orthotic and Prosthetic Activity Foundation (OPAF) to bring and volunteers for making a tennis to over 40 veterans as part of the Valor Games, a difference in the lives of service men competitive adaptive sports competition for wounded veterans. and women across the globe.

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