Why am I doing this?
My mission is to help my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and their families to enjoy a more extraordinary and meaningful life through golf. The donations by my participation in 100 Holes of Golf will further both PGA HOPE's cause as well as mine.
With the knowledge of so many Veteran golf programs, I had found my purpose in life when my love of golf merged with my cause. An example of my dedication and support for Veterans through Military golf charities such as Folds of Honor, Veteran Golfers Association, the Salute to Servicewomen Golf Classic (MACV), and (recently) PGA HOPE I had been awarded the PGA Tour Superstore top honor "Give Back to Others".
rene
NOrton,
veteran
Goal: $1000
Bio:
At the end of the Vietnam war in 1975, I volunteered for service in the US Army. I was medically retired in 1982 with a 100% Service-connected disability. My shortened tour of duty included advancement from Heavy Truck Driver and Company Training Clerk to Battalion Training NCOIC, assignments to the US Army Special Services, and a member in the 101st Airborne and 25th Infantry Army Sport Parachute Clubs. I won the 25th Infantry Division Soldier of the Year and was accepted into the Warrant Officer Candidate School as a helicopter pilot.
Amid my service, I was diagnosed with a disease that would cause malignant adenomas, tumors, and osteomas throughout my body. Golf helped me push through the recovery of thirteen major life-threatening surgeries. And throughout the last forty-five years, I've endured preventative cancer outpatient surgeries every three to four months.
Last year my doctors restricted all exercise including golf with the fear of movement of the drain they had placed within my liver to avoid an adenoma obstruction would cause major damage. I gained weight, became very stiff, and lost muscle mass and muscle memory. I had accepted my golf days were over until I turned to PGA HOPE where I had in fact helped Veterans in the program for 2 years. With the tutoring of Benny Menton and PGA HOPE, I returned to golf better than ever!
