Vegas Voice 3-18

Drive-Chip-Putt Contest
By: Mike Landry / Golf Fore Ever
If you watch golf on television, you’ve probably
heard of the Drive-Chip-Putt Contest that is
open to boys and girls, ages 7-15. But did you
know that local qualifying takes place from May -August?
The top 80 participants (40 boys and 40 girls) will earn an
invitation to the National Finals at Augusta on Sunday, April 7 th -
the eve of the 2019 Masters. As you can imagine, this contest brings
a lot of excitement to the kids.
What does all this have to do with seniors? I see many seniors
with their grandkids at the Desert Willows facility taking lessons
and practicing golf. What a great program to introduce these kids
to!
I wanted to make sure that everyone who has grandkids that
live in the area and are involved with golf were aware of this
program and perhaps get their special little golfers involved in the
competition. Golf keeps youth out of trouble.
TPC Las Vegas qualifier is Friday, May 25 th . Plenty of time to get
your grandkids ready.
On-line registration is now open: www.drivechipandputt.com.
Mike Landry resides in Sun City MacDonald Ranch and is a
member of both the Nevada State Seniors Golf Club and Winterwood
Men’s Group. He can be reached at: airmikel1@cox.net
Before They’re Gone
By: Chuck Dean / Vet 2 Vet
At some point in every veteran’s life there
comes a time when we wonder if our sacrifices
still mean anything. Are they relevant in this fastchanging
world?
In our hearts and minds they are - and the memories still linger. At
the time we served it happened to be the most meaningful experience
that most of us ever had in our young lives.
I can remember the cold night in Washington D.C. that I first visited
the Wall - the Vietnam Memorial. It was late and only a few people were
around as I approached the 1965 panel.
As I reached out to touch the name of one of my friends etched in the
black granite, my life changed in some indescribable way. All I knew
was how important it is for every veteran to make that same journey
to touch his or her past. It’s like going back to one’s roots and finding
some peace.
Perhaps you heard of the Honor Flights, and maybe you have not.
They are designed to help veterans make that same kind of journey; to
re-visit a glorious and honorable time in their past.
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created
solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. Veterans are
transported to Washington to visit and reflect at their memorials.
Top priority is given to the senior veterans; especially World War II
survivors and other veterans who may be terminally ill. Of all the wars
in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very
existence as a nation.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640
WWII veterans die each day. This means that the time to express our
thanks to these brave men and women is running out.
If you are a WWII or Korean War veteran, or know someone who
is, please let them know that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exists.
Every veteran has an escort, and often nurses and doctors travel with the
group to ensure their health and safety.
Pass the word. Visit Honor Flights of Southern Nevada for complete
details at their web site: http://honorflightsouthernnevada.org.
30 March 2018
Chuck Dean served as an Army paratrooper in Vietnam and
through that experience was led to address the many transitional
issues veterans struggle with. He is the author of several important
books for veterans. All can be found on Amazon at: http://www.
amazon.com/author/chuckdeanbooks