The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center will host a pep rally and sendoff Friday July 27 at 2 p.m. for its team headed to Orlando, Florida for the 38th Annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games July 30 – August 4 and the Golden Age Games August 3 – 8. The team has 26 Veterans from middle Georgia attending the Games.

Each year the Dublin VA sponsors a team to compete at the national event, providing transportation and coaching support through the medical center’s Recreation Therapy section. The team from the Dublin VA, which includes VA staff for coaching and logistical support, will compete in a variety of events such as track and field, archery, air rifle, billiards, softball and bowling with the premier event being a grueling wheelchair slalom race in which competitors negotiate a multitude of obstacles.

As part of the sendoff, VA staff and other supporters will gather in the medical center’s auditorium and hallways at 1:40 p.m. to wish their team well and spur them to victory. After the hallway parade through the medical center, well-wishers will gather in the auditorium for a pep rally to introduce the competitors and present an overview of the event. Members previous teams will wear their medals. The Roger Holmes, head coach for Dublin High School’s football team and some of their players will be in attendance. Coach Holmes will deliver a Pep Rally speech to inspire the athletes.