Community Highlights

EXTRAORDINARY HOUSTON VETERAN TO BE FEATURED ON CHEERIOS ® BOX

November 29, 2007 -- U.S. Army veteran, David Fowler, is one of twelve gold medal winners from this year's National Veterans Wheelchair Games to be featured on Cheerios ® boxes as a result of an agreement between the Veterans Canteen Service and the General Mills Corporation.  The action photos will be featured on the back and side panels of boxes to be released in March 2008.

Fowler, who receives his medical care at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), was a gold medal winner in power soccer, power slalom, Power 200 and Power Chair Relay at the 2007 National Wheelchair Games held in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . The event is the largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world and is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

The Veterans Canteen Service provides food and retail services to VA-enrolled veterans across the country. The special edition Cheerios ® boxes featuring photos of top wheelchair athletes in events ranging from track and field, archery, swimming and basketball will be sold in military markets and Veterans Canteen retail stores.

"We are gratified that General Mills has agreed to partner with us and honor the spirit and athleticism of our disabled veterans by placing their pictures on one of the world's best known and most popular cereal products," said Marilyn Iverson, Veterans Canteen Service director.

HealthierUS Veterans is a VA initiative designed to reach all of the nation's 25 million veterans, including those who are not treated at VA medical facilities and their families, in a comprehensive effort to help control obesity and diabetes.

Veterans Canteen Service and HealthierUS Veterans will be challenging veterans and staff to walk or roll "100 miles in 100 days" in the "Champions' Challenge." This program is designed to encourage veterans and employees to become more physically active while earning prizes along the way.

"Sports and recreation are an excellent way to test your limits.  Good healthy competition is a great tool to getting back into life.  Once you've accomplished your goal, you will ask yourself what else is out there that I can do.  You will also find out that you are not alone and there is life after an injury.  With a positive attitude, nothing seems impossible," said Fowler.

During the 100 days of the "Champions' Challenge," Fowler will be honored at the MEDVAMC with a special meet and greet.   Sports cards with his photograph will be free to anyone who stops by the Veterans Canteen Retail Store to meet him.

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