Latest news with #ValorGames
Business Wire
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Valor Games Southeast Celebrates ‘13 Years Strong'
BUSINESS WIRE)--Bridge II Sports (BIIS) is honored to bring the spirit of Valor Games Southeast (VGSE) to the Triangle for the 13th year with the continued support of presenting sponsor MetLife and its employees. The theme of this year's Valor Games is 'Undaunted, Undeterred. Undefied.' Since 2013, VGSE has engaged over 1,000 Veterans with disabilities through the power of adapted sports competition and camaraderie. This year's games will consist of a three-day event with eleven competition sports at several locations, with closing ceremonies to be held at the MetLife Global Technology Hub in Cary. 'Over the years, I have witnessed lives heal through Valor Games SE, giving hope for a future that is impacted by the storms of war,' said Ashley Thomas, Founder & CEO, Bridge II Sports. 'As a person who lives with disability, my biggest joy is seeing people find their way, engaged with their families and community, living life well with limitations instead of living disabled. It is an honor. I am thankful to our premier sponsor and the many other sponsors.' This life-changing event is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and support from several community and corporate partners. For the 10th year running, MetLife is serving as a presenting sponsor of VGSE. Beyond providing generous financial support, MetLife has engaged a strong core team of employees, predominantly Veterans, who have committed more than 5,000 volunteer hours over the years to assist with planning and supporting this event. 'As one of the world's leading financial services companies, MetLife plays an important role in being committed to the communities where we do business,' said Tony Granata, MetLife Valor Games Executive Sponsor and a US Navy Veteran. 'We are honored to be able to partner with BIIS to present the Valor Games, a one-of-a-kind, inspirational week of events, focused on the men and women who served our country.' For more information on Valor Games Southeast 2025, visit Valor Games Southeast 2025 Schedule Monday, May 19 Athlete Check-in, and Opening Ceremony 6:00pm DoubleTree Hotel, Page Creek Lane, Durham Tuesday, May 20 Athlete Competition 8:30am - 3:00pm Air Rifle, Sitting Volleyball, Boccia University of North Carolina — Rams Head Recreation Center Wednesday, May 21 Athlete Competition 8:30am - 3:00pm Powerlifting, Indoor Rowing, Wheelchair Basketball, Table Tennis Duke University — Cameron Indoor Arena, Wilson Gym, K-Ville Thursday, May 22 Athlete Competition 8:00am - 11:30pm Kayaking, Cycling, Archery, Shot Put Lake Crabtree County Park Note: All media interested in covering this event will need to be in the park by 7:30am and will be unable to leave until approximately 12:00pm due to the closure of the road for the cycling race. Closing Ceremony 12:00 – 1:30 pm MetLife Global Technology Hub, Cary IMPORTANT: MEDIA COORDINATION Media interested in covering the event(s) are REQUIRED to: RSVP with a proposed time and duration of visit to: Bridge II Sports – ericw@ NO WALK UPS ALLOWED. BIIS will send confirmation. Limit attendance to a maximum of 2 individuals. Review and sign Bridge II Sports Media Policy and check in for credentials on-site. About Bridge II Sports Bridge II Sports is a North Carolina non-profit organization dedicated to developing and implementing opportunities for youth, adults, and Veterans with physical disabilities to realize their potential through sports participation. Through sports programming, special events, awareness initiatives and team development, Bridge II Sports empowers persons with physical disabilities to 'Find the Player Within' and challenge perceptions of disability. It is the power of adapted sports that builds healthy bodies, minds, impacting the community with strength. For more information on Bridge II Sports visit About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ('MetLife'), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Valor Games Southeast Celebrates ‘13 Years Strong'
Adapted sports event for Veterans with disabilities hosted by non-profit Bridge II Sports, and supported by presenting sponsor MetLife DURHAM, N.C., May 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bridge II Sports (BIIS) is honored to bring the spirit of Valor Games Southeast (VGSE) to the Triangle for the 13th year with the continued support of presenting sponsor MetLife and its employees. The theme of this year's Valor Games is "Undaunted, Undeterred. Undefied." Since 2013, VGSE has engaged over 1,000 Veterans with disabilities through the power of adapted sports competition and camaraderie. This year's games will consist of a three-day event with eleven competition sports at several locations, with closing ceremonies to be held at the MetLife Global Technology Hub in Cary. "Over the years, I have witnessed lives heal through Valor Games SE, giving hope for a future that is impacted by the storms of war," said Ashley Thomas, Founder & CEO, Bridge II Sports. "As a person who lives with disability, my biggest joy is seeing people find their way, engaged with their families and community, living life well with limitations instead of living disabled. It is an honor. I am thankful to our premier sponsor and the many other sponsors." This life-changing event is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and support from several community and corporate partners. For the 10th year running, MetLife is serving as a presenting sponsor of VGSE. Beyond providing generous financial support, MetLife has engaged a strong core team of employees, predominantly Veterans, who have committed more than 5,000 volunteer hours over the years to assist with planning and supporting this event. "As one of the world's leading financial services companies, MetLife plays an important role in being committed to the communities where we do business," said Tony Granata, MetLife Valor Games Executive Sponsor and a US Navy Veteran. "We are honored to be able to partner with BIIS to present the Valor Games, a one-of-a-kind, inspirational week of events, focused on the men and women who served our country." For more information on Valor Games Southeast 2025, visit Valor Games Southeast 2025 Schedule Monday, May 19Athlete Check-in, and Opening Ceremony 6:00pmDoubleTree Hotel, Page Creek Lane, Durham Tuesday, May 20Athlete Competition 8:30am - 3:00pmAir Rifle, Sitting Volleyball, BocciaUniversity of North Carolina — Rams Head Recreation Center Wednesday, May 21Athlete Competition 8:30am - 3:00pmPowerlifting, Indoor Rowing, Wheelchair Basketball, Table TennisDuke University — Cameron Indoor Arena, Wilson Gym, K-Ville Thursday, May 22Athlete Competition 8:00am - 11:30pmKayaking, Cycling, Archery, Shot PutLake Crabtree County Park Note: All media interested in covering this event will need to be in the park by 7:30am and will be unable to leave until approximately 12:00pm due to the closure of the road for the cycling race. Closing Ceremony 12:00 – 1:30 pmMetLife Global Technology Hub, Cary IMPORTANT: MEDIA COORDINATION Media interested in covering the event(s) are REQUIRED to: RSVP with a proposed time and duration of visit to: Bridge II Sports – taylors@ NO WALK UPS ALLOWED. BIIS will send confirmation. Limit attendance to a maximum of 2 individuals. Review and sign Bridge II Sports Media Policy and check in for credentials on-site. About Bridge II Sports Bridge II Sports is a North Carolina non-profit organization dedicated to developing and implementing opportunities for youth, adults, and Veterans with physical disabilities to realize their potential through sports participation. Through sports programming, special events, awareness initiatives and team development, Bridge II Sports empowers persons with physical disabilities to "Find the Player Within" and challenge perceptions of disability. It is the power of adapted sports that builds healthy bodies, minds, impacting the community with strength. For more information on Bridge II Sports visit About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Bridge II SportsTaylor Scotttaylors@ 813.997.9982 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Husband and wife, both veterans, living life to fullest after husband's severe stroke
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A severe stroke never stopped a veteran and his wife from living life to the fullest. It's been two and a half years and now the couple travels across the country as he competes in different athletic competitions for wounded, sick or injured service members. Swimming is Jeremy Ditlevson's favorite activity as he pushes through the water and defies the odds. He has videos from his Tik Tok 'Life After Stroke' that show his preparations for those adaptive athletic competitions. It's the latter end of a long journey with his wife, Jeralyn, also a veteran, that started in January 2023 when he suffered a severe stroke. LOCAL NEWS: Catholic Charities works to help affordable housing crisis 'They didn't think that he was going to make it, so it was an emotional time,' Jeralyn said. 'Going to the hospital as soon as possible is the difference between life and death,' Dr. Jorge Ortiz-Garcia with OU Health said. Garcia cared for Ditlevson and is also a neuroscience ICU doctor. He said it was caused by a blood clot. He also found a blood clotting disorder and heart deformity they didn't know about. He spent 17 days in the ICU, which his wife said were filled with stress, complications and the unknown. 'I felt like I was in a rowboat with 20 holes in it in the middle of the ocean during a cat five hurricane in the middle of the night with one rower,' Jeralyn said. There was a light at the end of the tunnel, however. He spent over 3 months in San Antonio for rehab and learned to walk again. Today, he has body deficits and aphasia, which leaves him limited in communication. 'No matter the cards that we were dealt, we still have to keep pushing through,' Jeralyn said. Now, both are part of a community with other veterans. LOCAL NEWS: OKC, Palomar break ground on Family Justice Center 'We're family,' Jeralyn said about the traveling for athletic events and being around other veterans. With a warriors spirit, it's a second chance at life that neither of them take for granted. 'We can only push forward and continue to live our life the best that we can and have as much fun as we want,' she said. Dr. Ortiz-Garcia said time is of the essence when a stroke occurs. He urges everyone to know the signs and act quickly because it can save their life. Last year, Jeremy competed for the Army in the DOD World Games. Next week he's in North Carolina for the Valor Games, then in July, he's heading to Colorado Springs for another competition as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
