Wounded Warriors Give Pinellas Park Students Lesson In Resiliency

PINELLAS PARK, FL — On Sept. 1, 2006, Marine Mike Delancy was shot by a sniper while on patrol in Iraq. While the injury left him paralyzed, it also gave him a new mission in life.

After learning to deal with his own life-changing injuries, Delancey was determined to help other wounded combat veterans cope with theirs by challenging themselves both physically and mentally.

The result was the creation of the nonprofit Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch at Lurie Park, 5500 62nd Ave. N., in Pinellas Park in 2015, a place where veterans of all conflicts are given a sense of hope, resilience and newfound strength through recreational activities, sports, workshops, clinics and events.

Fifteen years to the day after a sniper changed his life, Delancey and fellow wounded veterans gave Skyview Elementary School students a lesson in determination when they helped the students unveil a statue of the school mascot, the bald eagle.

Delancey, a 2003 graduate of Pinellas Park High School, arrived at the elementary school with other veterans in the Wounded Warriors bus where they were greeted by a crowd of students cheering and waving American flags.

Appropriately, the students named the bald eagle statue "Patriot" in honor of Delancey and others who served their country.

In partnership with the city of Pinellas Park, the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch geared to those with disabilities. It's intended to be a place where veterans and their families can gather and participate in a wide range of activities designed to meet the veterans' physical and emotional needs.

The ranch has specialist fitness equipment, wide trails for hand cycling, walking and running, a fishing pond, outdoor workout stations that meet Americans With Disabilities Act standards and a large multipurpose sports court for wheelchair basketball, volleyball and other games.

With the help of community partners, including the Armed Forces Families Foundation and local Rotary clubs, an outdoor gathering space was created, featuring two pavilions with picnic tables and grills.

Additionally, the park features a military-themed children's playground for veterans' families and two dog parks.

A memorial garden is being built at the park as well to serve as a place to honor fallen military and remember those who served their countries. To donate, click here or purchase a memorial paver, click here.

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• Foundation To Present $61,000 To Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch
• Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch To Host Annual Alive Day
• Wounded Warriors Ranch To Host Alive Day Bike Ride, 5K Run