Video Story
Watch VideoSoldier gets a lift from specialized golf cart
Story By: Nicole Vandeputte
Source: KOAA
Published Mon Aug 04, 2008, 06:21 PM MDT
Updated Mon Aug 04, 2008, 08:21 PM MDT
A Fort Carson soldier, who almost lost his leg in Iraq, is back on the green playing golf. He says it's thanks to the help of a stranger, who let him borrow a unique golf cart.
Jeremy Henderson loves golf. He says, "I started when I was 9 years old. I truly enjoy the game. I've always played it off and on." He was forced to stop last year. It was his third tour in Iraq, and he was hit by a mortar. He says he shattered his leg, and was left wheelchair bound.
Last spring, he met Scott Gray. He says Gray gave him his game back, in the form of a golf cart, made specifically for people who can't walk. Henderson says, "You can do everything from the cart. You can get your tees, and golf balls, everything." "To me, that was probably the most important thing anybody has done for me, " says Henderson, "It was very emotional."
Gray started Thanks Troops as a way, he says, to give back to our troops who sacrifice so much. His passion is sports, so he started raising money to buy recreational equipment that could be used by wounded soldiers.
He has three of the specialized golf carts, free for wounded soldiers to use. "The first time I saw Jeremy play out of this, I saw him smile from ear to ear. It wasn't as big as mine," says Gray. He says even a triple amputee can play out of this golf cart.
Gray wants other wounded soldiers to know that these golf carts are available, for free, for them to use.
There's also a golf tournament this Friday at Springs Ranch Golf Club to raise money to buy more. Soldiers are paired with other golfers. All of the proceeds go towards buying recreational equipment for soldiers. If you would like more information, just click on this link. Thanks Troops Golf
