3rd Annual Adaptive Water Sports Festival Offers Wounded Soldiers Opportunities to Water Ski, Scuba and Sail

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, a partnership between Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA, severely wounded soldiers from the ongoing war on terror will have the opportunity to learn adaptive water skiing, scuba diving and other water sports as guests at the 2007 Adaptive Water Sports Festival. Specially trained volunteers from the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) will be on hand to teach these sporting skills to those with amputations and other severe injuries. Activities for this year include water- skiing, scuba diving, sailing and fishing. The Adaptive Water Sports Festival will take place in Rockaway Point (QUEENS), New York from July 12-15, 2007.

The Rockaway community was one of the hardest hit on Sept. 11, 2001 and ravaged again by the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 just two months later. Yet, the community proved resilient and responded with a surge of empathy, and charitable endeavors. Most notably, the Graybeards were formed, a non-profit dedicated to helping those in need. It is through the Graybeards, Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA, that this event is again possible.

"With the war in Iraq and Afghanistan continuing, it is more important than ever that we all step to the plate to provide whatever is needed to care for and support our service men and women who are being severely injured while serving our country," said Kirk Bauer, Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran. "Disabled Sports USA and Wounded Warrior Project are helping to meet that need at the Adaptive Water Sports Festival. Our Wounded Warriors deserve no less."

"To witness wounded soldiers water-skiing and scuba diving is an amazing feat," stated Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director John Melia. "Many able-bodied people are not brave enough to take on this challenge and I am filled with pride to see our wounded service men and women once again acting courageously and pushing their bodies to the limit."

The weekend will kick off with the Heroes in the Harbor Voyage on Friday July 13 at 6:30 pm. The dinner cruise on the luxury yacht Atlantis is in memory of Michael D. Glover, Lance Corporal, USMC killed in combat on August 16, 2006. For a full schedule of events, please contact Kathy Celo at 412- 427-9618.

Sponsors of the event include: Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled Sports USA, Graybeards, FDNY, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Atlantis Mega Yacht and DEMA Scuba Tour. Staff from Lakeshore Foundation and STRIDE, Inc., chapters of Disabled Sports USA will teach adaptive waterskiing and sailing.

About Disabled Sports USA (Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project)

The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project is a partnership between Disabled Sports USA, its chapters and the Wounded Warrior Project, providing year round sports programs for severely wounded service members from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict and the Global War on Terrorism. Thirty-seven years of experience has shown early intervention with active sports results in successful rehabilitation, leading to employment. The "Wounded Warriors" and their family members are provided these opportunities free of charge, including transportation, lodging, adaptive equipment and individualized instruction in over a dozen different winter and summer sports. Programs take place at sites throughout the United States of America offering Wounded Warriors the opportunity to integrate as participants and mentors in their home communities. http://www.dsusa.org/.

About Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization aimed at assisting those men and women of the United States armed forces who have been severely injured during the war on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world. Beginning at the bedside of the severely wounded, WWP provides programs and services designated to ease the burdens of these heroes and their families, aid in the recovery process and smooth the transition back to civilian life. For more information, please call (904) 296- 7350 or visit http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

About The Graybeards

In the aftermath of the worst act of terrorism committed against the United States of America, (September 11, 2001) and the devastating crash of American Airlines flight #587, a group of men in Rockaway Beach, who at the time were loosely tied together through a basketball league known as the Graybeards, recognized the positive impact they as a diversified group could offer the community and stood together to formally create a non-profit organization known as the "Graybeards". In that spirit we dedicate this organization's name and further declare our purpose to enhance our lives and the lives of others; to promote friendship and fellowship among its members; to hold meetings and have social gatherings for its members; to promote an interest in our community; to help those in the community in their time of need, to promote the development/education of the youth of the community and to promote a deeper appreciation of Americanism in the community.