![]() Oct 31st Glenn Isaac Fretz, US ARMY Veteran
My name is Glenn Isaac Fretz. My Family is from Alabama,Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. I moved to Missouri to attend high school. I went to Neosho High School in Neosho, Mo. While attending high school I went to Crowder College and Vo Tech. I studied drafting along with my high school curriculum. While in high school I worked on my Grandpa's ranch. Upon graduation from high school I went into the delayed entry program for the United States Army. Serving from 1989 in a delayed status through 1994 on an active duty status. I served as an evacuation specialist on a two man team. I earned the Army Achievement Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, Two Good Conduct Medals and other Citations. I am a Desert Storm Veteran. During Desert Storm I was injured during an evacuation mission. I had to change Military jobs and went into Quality Control. Upon leaving the United States Army I began a new journey. Having to learn and heal from the injuries sustained in Desert Storm. Seven years post injury a recreational therapist noted the athleticism necessary for my job. In 2001 I began the life I live now in adaptive sports. By 2002 I was competing at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Which is the largest annual sporting event for wheelchair athletes. I competed in power lifting, wheelchair slalom, wheelchair basketball. Each Year since I have added a sport. Now I am competing in wheelchair bowling, basketball, softball, and hand cycling. This Year I am attempting to do a triathlon at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The Army taught me to be all that I can be. At the National Veterans Wheelchair Games I have been a mentor. I have won several Gold Medals. Adaptive sports has opened many doors. I received a Scholarship to the University of Oklahoma in 2004 to play wheelchair basketball. While in college I was a member of Student Congress. I was a volunteer coach at a middle school in Norman , Oklahoma during this time. As a Wheelchair Athlete I was voted to receive the Sam Bass Award for citizenship and athleticism by the opposing coaches. This is one of the highest awards. I Graduated in 2008 with a Degree in History. During this time my Father was dying. I took a sabbatical from wheelchair basketball. Only to compete at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. In 2012 I was invited to participate in the Long Road Home Project. Hand cycling from Ocean Shores Washington to Washington DC. The purpose was Veterans Advocacy, Awareness for Veterans Homeless, and to Honor the Fallen. In 2015 I returned to playing wheelchair basketball on a National Level. Playing Championship Division which is the highest level of wheelchair basketball in America. When I compete I am Honoring Many. That is my motivation. When My Father asked me to make a promise in 2008 I promised to always be my best. I promised to play again. Now I am using adaptive sports to have a voice. My actions speaking for those without a voice. |
![]() ![]() GOT ROKU ADD Freedom in America to your Roku Channel Selection Sign up and add owner.roku.com/add/BIGVFIA01 GET ROKU To Watch The Villages Tea Party on your TV After you sign in to your Roku account, it should take you to the "ADD CHANNEL" area. Failing that, sign into your Roku account and go to this page: https://my.roku.com/account/add The code is BIGVFIA01 Enter it in the space and then hit ADD CHANNEL. You might have to reboot your Roku device to get it to install. Some do, some don't. When you get it, it will be at the very bottom of your channel list. You can move it by hitting the '*' function button and move it to where you want it to be. ![]() |
PA Inspires Veteran to Make Cross-Country Bike Ride
Posted by crougeau In 1991, a physician assistant in Iraq made an impression on a young soldier suffering head and hand injuries. The PA took the young man under his wing, visiting the soldier while he was recovering in the hospital. He encouraged the injured solder, telling him that he still had something to live for despite his injuries.“He didn’t have to visit me in the hospital,” Glenn Isaac “Junior” Fretz, U.S. Army Ret., 41, told a group of PAs and students he met with on Oct. 14. “He never gave up on me; he told me there are no boundaries.” Fretz has been trying to pay it forward ever since. He was among the group of inspiring veterans who rode bicycles across the country as part of the Long Road Home Project. Casey Miller, a civilian, led five veterans including Fretz on a trek across the United States to heal their wounds, reach out to veterans and raise awareness of veteran needs. The 4,200-mile journey began on July 15 in Aberdeen, Wash., and concluded in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and AAPA staff were there to welcome the riders to D.C. |
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