VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Warrior for Life Fund is a nonprofit that supports active duty, veterans and their families emotionally and physically.
One of the ways they do this is providing a place to play adaptive ice hockey.
Mike Fleetwood is the co-founder of the Warrior for Life program. He’s a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander so he knows the challenges of military life and wanted to do something to help his fellow servicemen and women.
“When you get on the ice, you kind of drop all your cares. And you focus on the game, the game goes so fast you’re just out there living in the moment, you shed all those worries that you had,” said Fleetwood.
There’s also a workout facility and mental health counseling on site.
“Try to do whatever we can to raise them up and let them know that we’re partnering with them in the community. We’re here everyday, 365 And they can reach out anytime,” said co-founder Ryan Croley.
Active duty, veterans and their families play for free.
“The breeze in my hair is the first thing, but no really spending time with the brothers I work within a different setting having fun like Mike said, getting that stress out,” said one active duty hockey player.
“Just the camaraderie away from the office, and just getting back to our childhood memories, the core memories of playing hockey,” another Navy sailor chmed in.
For more than a decade of supporting Hampton Roads service members we wanted to show our appreciation for Fleetwood and the Warrior for Life team.
“Commander Fleetwood, I’m Beverly from News 3 and we’re here to give you an everyday hero award, congratulations! We appreciate everything you do for Warrior for Life," I said as I presented him with the award. “We have a community partner Southern Bank and they would like to give you a $300 gift card and I can only imagine where that’s gonna go."
"Ha! yeah, probably hockey gloves,” said Fleetwood.
If you would like to donate to the Warrior for Life Fund, please go to:
A big thank you to all of the warriors who defend our country, past and present, and to Mike Fleetwood and the Warrior for Life program. You are positively making a difference in Hampton Roads.
