Veterans enjoy skiing, carnival week
Heriberto Vidro of Sayreville, N.J., and his son Eddie, 14, arrive with the Wounded Warriors at Glacier Park International Airport on Wednesday. The Patriot Guard provided a welcome to the special visitors.
Bob Bell of Ronan and other Patriot Guard members prepare to welcome Wounded Warriors on Wednesday.
Five injured men and women from the national Wounded Warriors Project, along with their companions, are enjoying Whitefish Winter Carnival festivities today as part of an annual skiing trip and visit to the Flathead Valley.
The wounded service members include four New Jersey residents: Pamela Smejkal of Manchester Township, Raul Renteria of Dover, Shane Ugliono of Hawthorne and Heriberto Vidro of Sayreville. The fifth visitor is Ian Lennon of Jacksonville, Fla.
They served in various branches of the armed forces and suffered injuries including burns, gunshot wounds, blast injuries, severe head injuries and post traumatic stress disorder.
Since arriving Wednesday, the warriors have participated in several days of skiing, fine dining and a public reception.
Their schedule for today includes a brunch at the Whitefish VFW, observing the Penguin Plunge and riding in the Winter Carnival parade on a Patriot Guard float.
Sunday’s plans call for skiing, snowmobile tours of Whitefish Mountain Resort and a Super Bowl party and dinner at Craggy Range. The five are slated to
return home on Monday.
Many Whitefish businesses, including Whitefish Mountain Resort, Talus Outdoor Technologies, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Cafe Kandahar, McGarry’s Roadhouse, Loula’s and the Bierstube, have donated money, services and meals for the soldiers’ trip.
People interested in learning more or donating to this effort may do so at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.