Reese Hines, Ben Mitchell, Nick Salerno, John Mitchell, Scotty Fura Jr, Kai Schjang Brent Nadjadi, Dan Lope, Josh Wege and Saul Monroy. (Photo by Ed Shin)
Nearly 20 veterans of the post-9/11 era have come together to form the WWAST, the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, also known as the USA Patriots.
The team has been featured on HBO, ESPN, CBS Evening News, and Sports Illustrated, just to name a few. The team was formed in 2011, and they play all over the country on weekends.
Each player comes from a different place across the country — Wisconsin, Texas, California. They fly in on a Friday and are back home Sunday night. They spread their message that anything is possible with games and events, school, hospital, and veteran visits.
This was their seventh visit to the New York City/Long Island area. Their games are always free.
USA Patriots Amputee Softball Team. (Photo by Ed Shin)USA Patriots Amputee Softball Team. (Photo by Ed Shin)USA Patriots Amputee Softball Team. (Photo by Ed Shin)USA Patriots Amputee Softball Team. (Photo by Ed Shin)USA Patriots Amputee Softball Team. (Photo by Ed Shin)USA Patriots Amputee Softball Team. (Photo by Ed Shin)Long Island Abate. (Photo by Ed Shin)Long Island Blue Star Moms NY 6. (Photo by Ed Shin)Members of the Leathernecks and Rolling Thunder NY 6. (Photo by Ed Shin)Margaret Nicosia, Daniel Murphy, Father of Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy, Thomas Ronayne and Joe Cuminale. (Photo by Ed Shin)Long Island All Stars Softball Team. (Photo by Ed Shin)Chris Beckhans and Thomas Ronayne, Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency Director. (Photo by Ed Shin)Joe Bart and Lisa Cohen. (Photo by Ed Shin)Chris Beckhans, president of Long Island Abate, and Desiree Ellison, executive director of USA Patriots. (Photo by Ed Shin)
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