Photo By Brittany Bangert | USA Warriors coach Mike Vaccaro (center) explains drills to the Wounded Warriors at...... read more read more
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ROCKVILLE, Md. - While the path to recovery for Wounded Warriors sometimes seems daunting, the USA Warriors Hockey program offers a road back to regularity and success.
The USA Warriors is an ice hockey program that provides a recreational, therapeutic, and educational experience for those wounded in defense of the United States.
The Warriors offer hockey opportunities for Wounded Warriors recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and the staff consists of a group of volunteers that the Warriors inspire every day.
“You see these men training so hard with the injuries they have and then you look at your life,” said Mike Vaccaro, USA Warriors coach. “You realize that you can handle life’s problems if they can handle what they have been through.”
Miroslav Kazimir, a Marine originally from Slovakia, joined the Marine Corps in 2007 because of the World Trade Center attacks in 2001. He joined the Warriors in 2011 after hearing about the team at Walter Reed.
While serving in Iraq in April 2011, Kazimir was on patrol with his 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines when their ambush-protected vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device. Kazimir suffered severe leg and spinal injuries.
The explosion, which killed two of Kazimir’s best friends and wounded two other Marines in the vehicle, started Kazimir on a new path to rebuild his body and his life.
Since the explosion, Kazimir has had 57 surgeries at Walter Reed Medical Center, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and the National Naval Medical Center.
“Life’s starting to get back to normal,” said Kazmir. “I’m still learning every day. Learning how to maneuver my body and shift weight differently in the sled."
Adjusting to sled hockey is a challenge, but Vaccaro works with the sled teams every Wednesday with drills to improve their coordination and ability to maneuver.
“When I’m on the ice with all military guys, it’s like we are a fire team in a battle,” said Vaccaro. “It’s inspiring to see the guys on the ice and not be worried about their disabilities. They continue to train and get better. Nothing can stand in their way.”
Vaccaro grew up in a tough neighborhood in New York and hockey helped him surpass challenges growing up.
“Hockey meant everything to me growing up in a city, and a tough neighborhood. Hockey is all I had. I’m trying to pass that on to these guys,” said Vaccaro.
Kazimir grew up loving hockey as well and joining the Warriors offered an opportunity to help life get back to normal.
“These guys have been through all of the same experiences and we understand each other,” said Kazmir. “We’re like each other’s shrink and I enjoy playing with my buddies from the Marines, Army, and Navy.”
Kazimir had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet one of this hockey idols, Marián Hossa, on a trip with the Warriors to Chicago in March. Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.
“It was the best day of my life – besides meeting my wife, of course,” said Kazimir.
“We talked about everything and he thanked me for my service. He even told me that ‘Because of brave men like you, we have freedom,’” said Kazimir. “It meant a lot to hear that from my hero. We’re each others heroes.”
The team travels throughout the country to meet with professional hockey teams and gets the opportunity to face-off against teams throughout the world.
“We may not always be the fastest team out there, but we’re definitely the toughest,” said Kazimir.
The team will face off against the Women’s Canadian National Hockey Team in May.
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.07.2014 14:22 |
| Story ID: | 129032 |
| Location: | ROCKVILLE, MD, US |
| Hometown: | BALTIMORE, MD, US |
| Hometown: | BETHESDA, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 70 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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