I am a Special Education teacher, and water polo coach. My father, Captain John Boyer, is a disabled Viet-Nam Veteran. I will be participating in the Ironman 70.3 in Oceanside to fundraise for challenged athletes. I want to ask for your support in fundraising for the Challenged Athletes Foundation's (CAF) Operation Rebound Program.
CAF’s Operation Rebound® program strengthens the mental and physical well-being of veterans, military personnel and first responders with permanent physical injuries by providing them opportunities to use sports and fitness to re-integrate into our communities and by empowering them through sports.
Through Operation Rebound specific grant requests and sport clinics, CAF is there to support our service members from Frontline to Finish line.
By making a donation towards my fundraising goal you will help provide permanently injured military and first responders with the tools necessary to find success in sports — and in life!
Thank you for your support.
Here is a story about a veteran. . .
Physical Challenge: Below Knee Amputee
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Sport: Marathons, Triathlons
Captain Eric McElvenny, USMC (ret.) has athleticism, determination and passion engrained in his pedigree. Eric excelled in both baseball and football throughout high school and went on to major in Mechanical Engineering at the U.S Naval Academy. He carried on his love for sports as a member of the Naval Academy Rugby team.
Following graduation and Marine Corps training, Eric deployed three times to the Middle East. On this third deployment to Afghanistan, Eric was working with Afghan soldiers and stepped on an IED in December 2011, suffering the loss of his right leg below the knee in the explosion. It was difficult for Eric to leave his fellow marines behind and return early from deployment, but after a few months of physical therapy, Eric is back in action this time in the world of triathlon. Eric used surfing as part of his recovery and from there, started competing in triathlon. In 2013, Eric completed the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, HI and has gone on to complete a number of IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events since that time.
With the support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s Operation Rebound program, Eric raced in his first two triathlons just 6 months after taking his first post injury steps. Eric hopes to “inspire and motivate others, disabled or able bodied, athletes or non, to get out there, be active, accomplish goals, overcome adversities, build confidence and enjoy life”.
Eric is excited to be joining you all at the IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside as a part of Team Operation Rebound.