Mark your calendars — the dates for the 66th Annual BVL Veterans Bowling Tournament are set. March 5 through March 30 will have teams of veterans from VA Hospitals across the country vying for bragging rights in one or more of the nine divisions in the tournament. Each team will roll a total of 45 games during this time period and the scores will be submitted to BVL for final rankings.
Coordinated by BVL through the recreation therapy departments, the tournament is a time honored tradition in the VA system. Launched in 1947 on the White House lanes, the sport and the tournament have seen many changes over the years — automated scoring, internet submissions and the addition of a video game bowling division. However, the tournament still holds true to its original mission — to provide an opportunity for physical exercise and team bonding and camaraderie development.
“The BVL tournament provides us an opportunity to get our veterans engaged, and keep them motivated,” remarked Bay Pines VA Medical Center Recreation Therapist Jessica D’Alessio. “Bowling is a great leisure skill that they can learn here and then take home to enjoy with their family and friends.”
Bay Pines entered a number of different teams in the 2011 event, in the Outpatient and Seniors Divisions as well as the new video game Bowling Divisions.
The seniors’ team, which came in first in their division, brought together a special group of vets, “All of the bowlers on our team are Vietnam Veterans – Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Force. Some of us served on the ground with combat troops, others flew helicopters – supporting the mission. We are all proud to have served our country,” notes Bruce S. a retired Army Lt. Col., who put in two tours in Vietnam, in 1965 with the 1st Air Cavalry, and again in 1968 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. “The tournament gave us an opportunity to compete, have fun, and bond in a positive environment.”
Although the posted tournament dates are March of each spring, for the patients at Bay Pines, the BVL tournament is much more than a four-week event. D’Alessio explains that at their facility, the BVL tournament is really a months-long, multi-faceted experience.
2011 Tournament Winners from the Bay Pines (FL) VAMC
They begin by setting up a weekly veterans planning group to discuss their ideas, interests and potential involvement in the BVL tournament. The veterans also oversee a myriad of related activities. They created their own team name and logo (they chose “Bay Pines Mockingbirds”); identified a list of categories for planned internal awards (working with a veteran who had an interest in creative writing, they developed catchy phrases for certificates, i.e. “Poetry in motion” for best bowling form); developed a unique trophy for top participants (hand painted bowling pin made from ceramic molds); promoted the event through newsletters and flyers; coordinated practice play at an area bowling center in advance of the tournament dates; and obtained donated gift certificates from the center to use as raffle prizes during the banquet to encourage future bowling outings.
“I liked it, it was fun and it was something to do to keep me outta trouble!” joked Wii Seniors team member Frank J. a 94-year old WW2 and Korean War Retired Army Veteran. “I always liked bowling. The wife and I used to belong to a team and we went twice a week. This program keeps my mind busy and keeps me young! I come three days a week and I hope they never get rid of it.”
Frank’s teammate Robert H, a US Navy Veteran who fought at Iwo Jima, adds, “The best thing is to be up there bowling and get a strike, a double and then a turkey. It feels good to play with the other members of the team!”
Bay Pines will have an opportunity to defend their titles again this spring. The results will be released in April.
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