By Megan Cotton Gully

President, AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Young Professionals

Patriotism and resilience were on display at the USA Patriots Amputee Softball Game hosted by the Association of the United States Army Young Professionals, September 16 at Toyota Field in Madison, Ala.

The USA Patriots, a team of wounded veterans that travel around the country playing able-bodied teams, beat Team AUSA, 17-9 in nine innings. This was the team’s fourth time at Toyota Field as the annual event has grown since the team’s first trip in 2012 to the Metro Kiwanis Plex off Patton Road.

“It’s a blessing to come here,” USA Patriots third baseman Brent Nadjadi said. “Huntsville puts on a great show for us every year. The brotherhood and camaraderie of our team keeps us motivated and inspired and that keeps us moving forward.”

The USA Patriots play competitive and exhibition softball games to inspire communities nationwide. The team is comprised of competitive, athletic veterans who have lost limbs in combat or have non-combat related injuries and their mission is to bring athletic and veteran amputees together to promote the benefits of inclusive sport and therapeutic recreational activities.

Through the game and generous donations by local sponsors, including presenting sponsor Intrepid, AUSA was able to donate $15,000 to the Patriots’ Kids Camp which brings 20 children with amputations or limb loss for a week-long camp, all expenses paid. During the camp, the Patriots serve as coaches and mentors for these children, teaching them adaptive techniques and life lessons.

“I think there’s no better place to finish up our year as USA Patriots than Huntsville,” Josh Wege, an outfielder who lost his legs in southern Afghanistan in 2009 to an improvised explosive device blast, said. “There aren’t many places that we go every year but Huntsville is one of them. Most of the time it’s every other year. But Huntsville it’s been such a solid event, it’s a cool place to end the year.”

An estimated 500 people attended. The All Veteran Group parachute team, from Raeford, North Carolina, jumped in before the game. Future Soldiers Tyler Best-Livermore and Matthew Rodriguez took the oath of enlistment from Army Materiel Command Chaplain Col. Stanton Trotter. 

 “It was a great night,” AUSA coach Rob Griffin said. “They’re a good team and we love coming out and playing with these guys.”