Since the 1950’s, American Lake Veterans GC near Fort Lewis has been a golf refuge for disabled soldiers. With the aid of specialized carts and a dedicated group of golf professionals and volunteers, these veterans are able to continue playing the game they love, despite their physical limitations. Every Monday, injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and now housed at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, as well as older veterans from the Old Soldier’s Home in Orting, come out to hit balls on the range, get instruction and play the course — all for free. Many of those same volunteers, most of whom are WWII vets, also provide all of the maintenance for the course since federal funding dried up more than a decade ago. The course is open to veterans and active U.S. military, inpatients or outpatients of the VA hospital or to hospital volunteers. With several maintenence projects upcoming, American Lake could use your help. To volunteer, call 253-583-1058 or if you’d like to make a donation to the non-profit Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, call 253-584-6808.