Golfers Help Families Of Wounded Warriors

Golfers Help Families Of Wounded Warriors

Leesburg Today

05.09.11

Scores of golfers are enjoying a sunny day at Lansdowne Resort today, but it will be the families of injured war veterans who will benefit from their play.

The 8th annual Fisher House Golf Classic got underway this morning with a dramatic fly-in by the Obligated, Dedicated and Determined Ranger Group Veteran Parachute Team. The group includes Dana Bowman, a retired Army Sergeant First Class who was a Special Forces soldier and a member of the U.S. Army's elite parachute team, the Golden Knights. He lost his legs in an accident during the annual Golden Knights training in 1994. Nine months later, he became the first double amputee to re-enlist in the Army.

The Fisher House Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers, where family members of veterans can stay free of charge to be close to a loved ones undergoing hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center. Annually, the Fisher House program serves more than 11,000 families, and has made available almost three million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990.

The golf tournament will conclude this evening with a fundraising auction and awards diner at the resort.