VA photo team Gerhardt Egri, 63, of Carnegie was one of several vets from the area to participate in the 2006 National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Anchorage, Alaska, last week. Here he plays table tennis -- he competed in five sports at the games. Click photo for larger image.

Five disabled veterans from the Pittsburgh area took part in the 2006 National Veterans Wheelchair Games, held in Anchorage, Alaska, July 3 through 8.

Glen Weyand, 52, of Pittsburgh; Rory Cooper, 46, of Gibsonia; Thomas Strang, 64, of Canonsburg; Gerhardt Egri, 63, of Carnegie, and James Riemer, 54, of Butler were among more than 550 wheelchair-bound vets from 46 states to take part in the games, which were sponsored jointly by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games have been held annually since 1981, when 74 vets from 14 states took part.

In the 2006 competition, athletes competed in wheelchair races of varying lengths; swimming; bowling; shooting air guns; throwing the shot put, discus and javelin; and table tennis, among other events.

Veterans competed in three divisions (over 40; novices, and all others), which were further subdivided by ability. There were three classes of competition for quadriplegics (people who suffer paralysis in both legs and arms) and four for paraplegics (paralyzed from the waist down).

"Wheelchair sports have made me more independent and more outgoing," said Navy submarine veteran Strang, a paraplegic. "I've learned a great deal about coping with my daily activities from other competitors."

A construction electrician before his disabling injury in 1990, Mr. Strang has been doing volunteer work for the local chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America since 1997.

"I try to be a mentor, I try to show people what they can do," he said.

"I was an athlete in high school and the Army, and was looking for an outlet for my competitive energy when I was injured," said Mr. Cooper, a Ph.D. research scientist who is a recognized authority in the field of spinal cord health care.

Mr. Cooper, who competed in four swimming events and the slalom, where he won a silver medal, has been attending the National Wheelchair Games virtually since their inception.

"I've formed friendships lasting more than 25 years," he said. "Today the games are also part of my professional life as we plan and conduct research studies to assist our veterans to live life to the fullest."

"Attending the games allows you to meet fellow veterans from all different states and share stories," said Mr. Egri, an Air Force veteran.

Though a quadriplegic, Mr. Egri was one of the most active competitors, competing in bowling, air guns, table tennis, the slalom, and power soccer. He won a silver medal in table tennis, and a bronze in the motorized slalom.

Navy veteran James Riemer had planned to be as active, but he was sidelined by a wheelchair sore.

"I'm kind of bummed out," he said. "I didn't get to compete."

But the trip to Alaska wasn't wasted, Mr. Riemer said, because he got to renew acquaintances with friends he made in the six previous Wheelchair Games he attended.

"I'll start training for next year as soon as I get home," he said.

Mr. Weyand, an Army veteran and quadriplegic, competed in air guns, bowling and quad weightlifting.

"I couldn't wait to get here," he said.