The 43rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) parade of athletes was a vibrant spectacle of creativity and spirit
People dressed as dancing toilets and crazy Laissez Boys chairs, pageant queens, bead throwers, “Who Dat” fans of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and even a Grammy-nominated big brass band swaggered and strutted across the stage at the 43rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) athlete parade Thursday night. There were costumes galore.
They sure made it “laissez les bons temps rouler,” or let the good times roll in Cajun French, inside the New Orleans Ernest M. Morial Convention Center.
That’s just what Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Bayou Gulf States Chapter member and NVWG torch bearer Julius Lee hoped would occur.
“Give everybody a taste of the bon ton roulette,” says Lee, an Air Force veteran who served from 1980-97 in medical logistics and has a C5 spinal-cord injury.
Army veteran and PVA California Chapter member Isaac Romero thought it did. Romero served from 1977-81 in intel communications and is a left below-the-knee amputee.
He thought the opening ceremony, which included the Hot 8 Brass Band with a member dressed as a dancing alligator, was different. But for him, the Games offer him hope, encouragement and a reason for meeting up, coming together and celebrating with his veteran family.
“Being able to go beyond your means after injury. And, you know, the encouragement of other veterans, female and male, being injured and not quitting and being able to show our families that we still have worth in us,” Romero says.
Veteran wheelchair athletes showed up in droves this year.
Co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and PVA, this year’s NVWG not only totaled 591 registered athletes, but a record 187 novices — the most in the Games’ history. The Games officially kicked off Thursday with a wheelchair football exhibition, along with adaptive fitness, archery, wheelchair basketball and a new medal-sport, cornhole. The Games run through Tuesday.
VA Undersecretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, MD, along with VA Undersecretary for Benefits Josh Jacobs, VA Southeast Louisiana Health Care Medical Center Director Fernando Rivera, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Rep. Troy Carter (2nd Congressional District) and PVA National President and Chair of the Board Robert Thomas Jr., each spoke.
Elnahal has served in the position for the last two years, leading the largest health system in the nation. And in his first year, he oversaw the Veterans Health Administration’s implementation of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act, which expanded VA health care benefits for veterans and their survivors who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. It marked one of the largest expansions of VA health care benefits ever.
Elnahal, though, focused on the impact adaptive sports have on veterans, mentioning others who have attended the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colo., and other athletes who have been impacted by participating in adaptive sports.
“And one thing that I know will happen during these Games is that you will get close to other veterans,” Elnahal says. “The incredible athletes here will have an even better and greater support network. And there is nothing better than that.”
Jacobs, who started his role last year, reminded veterans how important their help is to one another and that they can make a difference in another veteran’s life.
“Each of you here is an ambassador in your own way. And your participation here is not just about the competition, it’s about comity, it’s about connection and it’s about support,” he says. “So, on behalf of the Veterans Benefits Administration, I want to say thank you. You inspire us with your never-quit attitude and your willingness to give to others.”
Thomas, meanwhile, mentioned he knows firsthand how important the Games are to veterans’ physical and mental well-being. And the Army veteran and PVA Buckeye Chapter member wanted veterans to make sure they feel the Games’ impact.
“Embrace every moment, make new friends and soak in the spirit of Games. If you’re anything like me, you look forward to this all year. And I hope it lives up to your expectations,” Thomas says. “This is your time to shine, to push your limits and to be proud of everything you’ve accomplished. Let’s kick off the 2024 National Veterans Wheelchair Games with a bang. May we celebrate every achievement, big and small, and make this week a moment to remember.”
