Veterans for Vets
In 2019/2020 Dynamic Discs started the Veterans for Vets program to raise money for Veteran organizations around the country. Anyone can host an event, and they run from November 11 to March 1 each year. From their website, Dynamic says, “Following in the footsteps of the Trilogy Challenge, Veterans for Vets is a new event designed to meet three goals. First, it gives disc golfers a chance to play in an organized event during the winter months. Second, it provides an awesome environment for a disc golfer without any tournament experience to play in an organized event. Finally, it provides an opportunity for a local disc golf community to raise money that gets returned to that same community to organizations tasked with serving veterans!”
This week I was able to talk with Aaron Stain, a veteran who has been hosting the Veterans for Vets events in Northeastern Illinois. The 50-year-old Fox River Grove resident played his first round of golf on July 4, 2020. He describes his playing style as, “intermediate recreational, and I primarily throw right-handed backhand.” Aaron served four years in the Navy, “doing fleet logistic support in Southwest Asia and the Persian Gulf.”
Aaron is also the President of the Veterans Network Committee of Northern Illinois. “We are an all-volunteer non-for-profit group that gives back to local Veterans in many ways. Our main program is the McHenry County-Rockford Honor Flight, which is a 4-day trip to DC to honor those that served for the heroes that they are. Another program that we run is the Field of the Fallen, where we honor and remember all the Illinois soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives while in battle from beginning of the Golf conflict to the present. As of right now we have 350 names we remember”, Aaron says.
Aaron discovered disc golf and the Vets for Vets program around the same time. He recalls, “In my first year of playing disc golf I became infatuated with the sport and could not get enough. I stumbled on a tournament that was being held in Kirkland, IL and contacted the tournament directors, Danielle Broege and Antonio Diazdeleon, to discuss with them what the tournament was about. I explained to them my passion for helping Veterans, and what my organization does for the local Veterans in our community. I offered to them if I could help bring their tournament a patriotic presence and help them give back to local Veterans. Since then, we have done 3 tournaments together. After our first partnership with them, they showed us how to run our own in Cary at Fel-Pro RRR, and now we are excited to host our 3rd at Fel-Pro RRR!”
When I asked Aaron why he’s been so passionate about running these events, he says, “We really try to bring the essence of our organization into the disc golf community. We start by making sure that each tournament has a presence with banners, signs, American flags, as well as all the service flags at each tournament location. Our goal is to make sure that we do not forget those who served. Last year at Fel-Pro RRR we started, and will continue this year, to read all 350 names of the fallen Illinois soldiers throughout the tournament. This is to ensure that they are never forgotten. At each starting tee time, we will read a set of the names, ring a bell, and ask for a moment of silence before the first throw happens.”
Aaron and his organization partner with many local businesses, as well as many major disc golf companies, that donate items to the event to maximize the amount that goes back to the Veterans. “Because of their donations, we can offer great raffle prizes and CTPs on every hole. This also includes one of the best player packs, in my opinion, that shows support for Veterans”, Aaron says. It is important to note that all proceeds go towards sponsoring local Veterans to join the 4-day Honor Flight to Washington each year. Aaron says, “Last year the two tournaments raised enough money to send 5 Veterans!”
For Aaron, disc golf and support for vets are synonymous. He says, “We love what we do to help our Veterans, and love to give back to the Disc Golf community. Last year we were able to donate the practice basket to the Fel-Pro RRR course and bring lots of new players into the sport who were not previously avid disc golf players.” And disc golf is a great form of therapy for vets. Aaron says, “Honestly, we would like to get more Veterans involved in the sport and to participate at our events. I think it would be very beneficial for them both physically and mentally.”
In closing, Aaron says, “We feel that the mission of Veterans for Vets Disc Golf Tournament is not just about Veterans playing the sport but to honor and remember Veterans for what they have done for us. Most of the people that play in our tournaments are not Veterans but getting them involved to help the Veteran community and making them aware of our programs means a lot to me and what the mission of our organization stands for. I love that what we do is bigger when an entire sport band together to honor our heroes.” Thank you, Aaron, for your service and for your contributions in helping to grow the sport.
