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Emirates Airline US Open Series Holds Military Appreciation Events Throughout North AmericaMilitary Appreciation events took place this summer all along the road to the US Open. The Emirates Airline US Open Series featured tributes to both U.S. and Canadian heroes and their families at the following tournaments across North America: BB&T Atlanta Open in Atlanta, Ga.; CitiOpen in Washington, D.C.; Southern California Open in Carlsbad, Calif.; Winston-Salem Open in Winston-Salem, N.C.; New Haven Open at Yale in New Haven, Ct.; Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio; Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada.

Tribute festivities at all tournaments included color guards, anthem singers, coin tosses by flag officers, wounded warriors performing the first ceremonial serve, and complimentary tennis clinics and tournament tickets for military families.

The USTA and Tennis Canada partnered with our friends at organizations such as the USO, Armed Forces YMCA, and Dept. of Veterans Affairs to get the job done. Thank you to the Emirates Airline US Open Series for paying tribute across North America to our military heroes and their families.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs ADM Sandy Winnefeld, WTA star player Sloan Stephens and Coach Wayne Bryan joined Military Families at the CitiOpen July 2.

USTA 1st VP Katrina Adams and USTA Southern Executive VP Paula Hale greet military families at the BB&T Atlanta Open.

Tennis Becomes a Part of the 33rd Annual National Veteran Wheelchair GamesThis July, the USTA sponsored a tennis clinic and exhibition at the 33rd Annual National Veteran Wheelchair Games held in Tampa, Fla. More than 60 veterans signed up for the first-ever event at the games, and were treated to a day of tennis ranging from beginner to accomplished player. Two USTA national wheelchair coaches and four local coaches were on hand to drill, instruct and lead the fun! An army of volunteers led by Judy Foster 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 NVWG are sponsored by the Department of Veteran Affairs at a different location each year, attracting more than 500 veteran wheelchair athletes from across the country. They compete in sporting events ranging from wheelchair softball, basketball, slalom, bocce and many more. Plans are to include tennis as an exhibition sport next year and a medal sport in 2015.

The USTA took part in the 33rd National Veteran Wheelchair Games in Tampa, Fla., thanks to local coaches and USTA volunteers.

Wheelchair athletes learned the basics of tennis and were connected to programs where they call home to continue the pathway.

R E T U R N I N G T H E S E R V EUnited States Tennis Association Outreach to Military Service Members, Veterans and Families

USTA Holds Tennis Clinic for Wounded Warrior ProjectThe 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 other sports and activities sprinkled in. This was the first tennis clinic held in conjunction with a Soldier Ride, but hopefully just the first of many.

“There are only a handful of events we work where the volunteers `get more than they give’...this was truly one of those events. During the event, I was asked what we did to be so lucky to receive this opportunity. The partnership between Wounded Warrior Project, USTA, USTA Georgia and SCTA really worked and I hope we get to work together again very soon,” said Sharon Greiner, President of the Southern Crescent Tennis Association.

“I wanted to send a note to show my appreciation and gratitude for everything you did to make yesterday’s tennis clinic a huge success!” said Amanda Becker, Soldier Ride Specialist for Wounded Warrior Project.“The warriors had an incredible time and so many of them were talking

that evening about how they never thought that they could play tennis and how they want to continue playing. We look forward to working with you all again next year when we come back to Atlanta for Soldier Ride!”

Elaine Hamilton, Executive Director of USTA Georgia, also commented on the experience, saying, “All the warriors participated, and they did great on the court. They were pretty tired after the bike rides, but lunch gave them a little more energy. Once they hit the courts, they became energetic tennis warriors. I’ve never seen a more engaged or competitive group of adults! Southern Crescent volunteers were fantastic! They served lunch, cleaned up and picked up balls for almost two hours. The Peachtree Tennis Center pros, led by Ben Maes, did an excellent job with the on court activities.”

Once the ride was over, the USTA connected the individual soldiers with tennis programs wherever they call home. Many CTAs even offered up a couple of free lessons to help them get started at home, and each soldier received a free tennis racquet at the event, compliments of Wilson Sporting Goods. There are 17 Soldier Rides held around the country each year.

SDDTA and Balboa Tennis Club Host 2nd Annual National Wounded Warrior Tennis CampThe San Diego District Tennis Association (SDDTA) and Balboa Tennis Club, in partnership with Naval Medical Center San Diego, hosted the 2nd Annual National Military Tennis Camp for Wounded, Ill, and Injured Service Members and Veterans from June 11-16, 2013.

During the camp, 40 wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans from all the military branches, along with caregivers, participated in 16 hours of tennis instruction and friendly competitions designed to improve their physical and emotional well-being. Group evening activities provided additional opportunities for socializing, camaraderie and re-integration into the community.

The participants came from 18 states, as far away as New York and Florida, and ranged in age from 22 to 65. More than 70 percent had served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, and a few had served in Vietnam. Their injuries

were diverse, from double amputees to those which are invisible.

The positive feedback from the participants has been overwhelming, with many commenting that tennis is changing their lives for the better, and in some cases, has saved their lives.

Grant funding for this program was awarded by U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, through funding provided by Veterans Affairs. The grants are provided to facilitate the growth of Paralympic-sport programming for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. The USTA’s national charitable foundation, USTA Serves, also awarded a grant of $10,000. Dozens of local businesses, community support organizations and recreational tennis players provided additional financial and in-kind donations. As a result, all the participants’ costs were covered, including airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation,

tennis equipment, social events and incidentals.

The San Diego District Tennis Association and Balboa Tennis Club are grateful for the opportunity to support our nation’s heroes and their families through tennis, and sincerely appreciate the many contributions that make it possible.

Participants from 18 states and ranged in age from 22 to 65.

The positive feedback from the participants has been overwhelming, with many commenting that tennis is changing their lives for the better, and in some cases, has saved their lives.

Each service member received a free racquet to take home, compliments of Wilson Sporting Goods.

Southern Crescent Tennis Association volunteers served lunch, cleaned up and picked up balls during the event.

Lisa Krupp, lead pro at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center wounded warrior tennis program in Augusta, Ga., was on hand to guide the pro team from Peachtree City Tennis Center as they served this special population.

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 was over 29 Palms put a team together and entered the 2013 BNP Paribas Open Kids Day 10-and-under competition.

Plans are underway to renovate the tennis courts at 29 Palms this summer in tandem with the USTA’s Facility Assistance Program.“This is going to be a great project, and we’re looking forward to helping out,” said Maiysha Warren, USTA National Manager, Tennis Facilities & Development.

Tennis coaches from the Morongo Basin and the USTA Southern California section participated in the Wounded Warrior Family Games on May 1 at the Del Valle Recreation Center aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at 29 Palms. Portable tennis nets were set up in the outfield of a softball

field. The Marines played modified tennis games using low-compression balls. The USTA representatives handed out T-shirts and caps. “It is an honor and a privilege to participate in the Wounded Warrior Family Games,” said Gideon Smith, President, Morongo Basin Tennis Association.“The Marines, families and our coaches were magnificent.” This is the second year the USTA has been a part of the Wounded Warrior Family Games.

“I can’t tell you the effect Tom Fey and his instructors are having on the Marines and family members taking tennis instruction on Base! Tom is really good and all 50 or so folks showing up religiously for his classes are getting better by the week...Thank you so much for providing this opportunity to our Marines and their families.”

Very Respectfully, 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.

29 Palms Red, White and Blue participants formed a team to compete in the 2013 BNP Paribas Open Kids Day competition.

Providing sustainable world-wide tennis support, training and programming options to America’s Service Members, Families and Veterans

usta.com/militaryFor information on supporting or benefitting from these efforts contact military@usta.com

© 2013 USTA. All rights reserved.

Thank you to all our military partners and volunteers for making a difference in the lives of service men and women across the globe.

Valor Games Held in North CarolinaUSTA North Carolina partnered with Bridge II Sports and the Orthotic and Prosthetic Activity Foundation (OPAF) to bring tennis to over 40 veterans as part of the Valor Games, a competitive adaptive sports competition for wounded veterans.

Serving It Up to Deployed Families in JapanAs 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 TroopsIn 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 BattlefieldMembers 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.”

Military Faces and Places