WHO'S WHO IN THE COMMUNITY
J-6 Resident Returns Home With Gold and Bronze Medals Jim Hostetter |
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Jim Hostetter, 72, just recently returned from the 29th Annual National
Veterans Wheelchair Games where Spokane opened their arms and hearts
to welcome over 600 athletes from every state, Great Britain and
Puerto Rico.
Jim accompanied other vets from Tucson along with 4 coaches from the VA Spinal Cord Injury Unit to the Games held July 13 – 18th. With only 4 months of training and 3 weeks of experience with his new compound bow, Jim brought home a gold medal in Archery and a bronze in Bowling. These were in his division which was determined by injury classification. Jim is paraplegic as of an accident 4 yrs. ago putting on a roof to a horse barn. "Our own Mescal Fire Dept. was instrumental in a rapid response to Jim and transporting him by helicopter to UMC. He arrived at UMC in less than an hour. Great job by MVFD and Jim is most grateful to them," says his wife Joyce. Jim and the other VA athletes
were moved deeply by the local Spokane residents. The people came
out in huge The Opening Ceremony was wonderfully inspiring for everyone. The path into the stadium was lined with clubs from all over Washington with motorcycles decorated with American flags. After the impressive parade of athletes, welcoming remarks and ceremonial activities, participants collectively held their breaths as the official torch was lit and the hosts proclaimed, "Let the Games Begin". Jim said that he met superb athletes who have done the Games for years. There were little kids, big kids, and adults of all ages. No matter who you talked to, you heard the same things. The Games are about competition and camaraderie. They inspire athletes to try their best, and take the lessons they learn at the Games home with them, in hopes that those lessons will lead to fuller and more meaningful lives. The friendships forged at the Games are ones that will last a lifetime – and for those reasons, the value of competition is truly priceless. |
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Joyce says her husband will now set up an archery target in their backyard and pursue his marksmanship. He will also continue to bowl for fun at monthly get-togethers with other Tucson Vets. Jim currently works at Flight Safety International as a ground school instructor for the business jet Challenger 602 and has other special interests such as flying radio controlled airplanes, watching the horses in the turnout pastures and enjoying the country living at his small ranch in J-Six. Jim is a veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict where he served as a fighter pilot in the F-105 fighter jet. |
