Columnist Barb Henderson: Local program assists paralyzed veterans

Barb Henderson

Friday, Nov. 8, 2002 | 9:32 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

In honor of Veterans Day, we'll begin with news about a successful sports and recreation program for Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

The Nevada PVA offers an active program allowing disabled veterans to enjoy bowling, basketball, softball, touch football, quad rugby, swimming, trapshooting, archery, and hunting and fishing.

The Nevada PVA mission is to improve and ensure the quality of life for American veterans who have suffered spinal cord injury or disease resulting in paralysis.

The National PVA Sports and Recreation Program also founded the PVA National Bass Trail comprised of fishing tournaments sanctioned by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). The National PVA, B.A.S.S. and the Lake Havasu (Ariz.) Tourism Bureau have announced the PVA National BASS Trail will host its 2002 Grand National Championship on Feb. 21-23, 2003 in Lake Havasu.

In addition to those events, Nevada PVA anglers also enjoy fishing excursions at Sunset Park and Las Vegas Bay Marina (now located at Horsepower Cove) on Lake Mead.

The National PVA Trapshooting Circuit was created to give individuals with disabilities a chance to participate in that recreational and competitive sport, enabling shooters with disabilities and able-bodied shooters to compete as equals.

Locally, the PVA trapshooting trail is held at the Las Vegas Gun Club.

Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America is always interested in exploring new adventures. It can be reached at 646-0040 or through the Internet at www.nevadapva.org.

Outdoor brief

Lamoreux's painting will be featured on the 2003 Nevada State Trout Stamp and on the cover of the 2003 Nevada Fishing seasons and regulations booklet, which will be available in mid-February.

Holiday activities

Those interested in Christmas Tree permit availability should call: BLM Caliente office (775) 726-8100, Dixie National Forest in St. George, Utah (435) 688-3246, Tonopah Ranger District (775) 482-6286, Tonopah BLM office (775) 482-7800, BLM Carson City Field Office (775) 885-6000 or the Carson Ranger District (775) 882-2766.

Until next week, enjoy the Great Outdoors.