IOWA CITY, Iowa — As other army veterans entered the club’s headquarters at the Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Iowa City on Wednesday, Michael Shanahan continued to play and decided to finish his long-delayed game before going to lunch.
The field was filled with veterans from the U. S. Army, Navy, and National Guard. But all they had was their love for golf.
Shanahan, who served in the Navy, is one of more than a hundred disabled veterans who arrived in Iowa City this week to attend the annual National Golf Clinic for Disabled Veterans, which was postponed two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Occasion took position in two places: Riverside Casino and Golf Course and Pleasant Valley.
The occasion began 20 years ago as the Tee Tournament and has grown into a week-long annual occasion held in many cities across the country.
“It’s an opportunity to have veterans who felt like they couldn’t do things, or that they didn’t have opportunities, to be able to come and enjoy golf and also enjoy other activities,” said Judy Johnson-Mekota, VA director. Iowa City. Health care.
Johnson-Mekota, whose father is a veteran, said the event began through a VA organization other people looking to help veterans outside of classic physical care. Iowa City is the only place where the national event is held at the same venue. yearly
“People are content to be back and meet face to face and have that connection and definitely have the opportunity to see old friends and meet new friends,” Johnson-Mekota said.
Shanahan has wanted to attend the event since 2020 but has been unable to do so due to the pandemic.
After serving in the Navy, Shanahan began a career in the medical field, but soon moved into the global business and did not look back.
On the golf course, Shanahan’s organization known as “Party Central” because they sang as they crossed the course. Shanahan accompanied her son.
Trainer Callender returns to the Iowa City event. Callender served two years in the Army National Guard and 3 years in the Army. After her service, Callender was an instructor in Minnesota and recently retired.
“The camaraderie among veterans is like anything else, even that of a brother or sister. . . You’re as docile with veterinarians as you are docile with civilians,” Callender said.
Each in Iowa City featured golf but also other activities for veterans such as chair yoga, water aerobics and cycling.
Douglas Kistner, an army veteran, and his wife Margarita Kistner, who is also a veteran, have participated in golf, water aerobics and cycling.
Kistner was stationed for 2 1/2 years in Germany, where he met his wife. After his service, he returned to Ohio. Kistner liked to play golf, but had not been able to do so since he lost his sight.
“They said they could help me, which they did and gave me a lot of advice. I learned a lot here,” Kistner said.
Each veteran interacted with a volunteer “golf buddy” who helped the veterans with the activities. This year, the occasion featured more than 250 volunteers. Volunteers come from all over the country, such as Callender’s girlfriend, Heather Zwilling, who is also from Minnesota.
Zwilling is an occupational therapist at va St. Cloud, where she works with blind and visually impaired veterans.
“It still provokes a little bit of anxiety, but after the first few days and the moment, I feel like you’re getting to know your veteran and running to start finding the rhythm of what works,” Zwilling said.
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