Memorial Day: More Than Just Picnics & Parties

Memorial Day: More Than Just Picnics and Parties.

 

In honor of Memorial Day; I recently had the honor of assisting the (WWTP) Wounded Warrior Tennis Program’s Annual National Tennis Camp in San Diego. This program offers Tennis lessons and skills training for wounded, ill, and injured military veterans. They also provide tennis clinics every Tuesday at the Balboa Tennis Club of which tennis isn’t the only thing this program is about.

Tennis is an activity that provides a means for many lessons, in both sport and life. The participants in the camp came from many different backgrounds to share an experience of a lifetime together. It was a week of activity and exercise; from dancing to yoga and eye-hand coordination to on-court aces! There was sportsmanship and competition as well as camaraderie and double faults. Whatever the challenge, the veterans learned how to deal with it and continue on with the game.

I saw passion and devotion by instructors, volunteers, and campers alike. It was an extraordinary sight to see. Instructors sharing their knowledge of skills and love for the game of tennis that was equally matched by the veterans who played with all heart! Massage therapists gleamed with honor as they provided healing recovery for the players.

Volunteers anxiously await the arrival of the campers every morning offering hugs and smiles to start the day of tennis. You can clearly see that these volunteers would not have wanted to be anywhere else in the world but here with nothing but their hearts, smiles and hugs.

The annual camp also provided many opportunities for social interaction and fun activities for all involved. From the dinners and conversations together to getting up close and personal with the zebra’s and giraffes at the zoo. Sometimes stepping out of their comfort zones and the incredible interaction and bonding of these military veterans, instructors and volunteers paved the path to helping build confidence, friendships, and hope. See more photos here:

The WWTP Annual National Tennis Camp offers one stand out warrior an inspirational award every year. The Lam Le Award is named in honor of Sgt. Lam Le, US Marine veteran who after experiencing deployments and duties of protecting our country, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

The Lam Le Award is named in honor of the late SGT Lam Le. Annual National Tennis Camp – Wounded Warrior Tennis Program. AKA: Spike II

Le was a patriot who loved tennis and had an upbeat attitude and personal warmth that was undeniable. This is how those who knew him described Le accompanied by tears and smiles as they share stories about him.

Le passed away in 2013 and left emptiness in the warrior tennis clinics and the annual camp. From what I learned about Le recently, those lucky enough to have known him would say he exemplified honor, hard work, overcoming challenge and adversities. He also had passion and a desire to improve his quality of life, which is where tennis comes in. Holley Anne; Le’s widow, describes this honorable award inspired by her husband, as “This award recognizes those who live out their lives genuinely, fearlessly, fully.”
Please see the presentation of the award and special heart felt video by Le’s widow, Holly Anne below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hkhds15sdsjg7bu/Holly%20Anne%20Video.mp4?dl=0

So as you might imagine, the farewell banquet for the annual tennis camp is a night of laughs and smiles, as well as tears and honor. This year’s recipient of the Lam Le Award went to Adam Navarro from Chicago.

Lam Le’s memory continues to inspire family, friends, warriors throughout the tennis community. Le’s memory thrives through close friend and tennis instructor Spike, and Steve Kappes; co-founder of the Wounded Warrior Tennis Program, San Diego; as well as fellow warriors and annual campers. Please see the farewell video that captured the entire week of the camp below:

For me, the Wounded Warrior Annual National Tennis Camp was quite an extraordinary experience. Witnessing remarkable things such as camaraderie, friendships, laughter, competition, and a lot of passion and heart definitely touched a chord in me! This year, Memorial Day brings a little different meaning for me. Remembering those who made unimaginable sacrifices and feeling pretty darn thankful for the freedoms I get to enjoy every single day. Thank you for reading.
To learn more about the program, please visit:  sdwoundedwarriortennis.org.