2011 Profile - Anthony Radetic

Army Combat Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom
32 years old
Abbeville, Alabama

Before being injured, Anthony Radetic loved to live life on the edge. He drove a sports car, served in the Army as a Blackhawk Helicopter pilot and was a dedicated Special Forces soldier. After a motor vehicle accident cost him the use of his legs, Radetic had to find new ways to live the fast-paced life he had grown accustom to.

While receiving care the Tampa VA Medical Center, Radetic was encouraged by staff to look into attending some of VA’s National Rehabilitative Special Events.

In 2009, he attended the National Veterans Wheelchair Games for the first time, as well as the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic. His experiences competing in the world of adaptive sports lit a spark for Radetic and he learned how to enjoy living an active lifestyle like he did before his injury. He also signed up with the PVA Racing Team, and now has a couple of handcycle races under his belt.

One of the proudest moments for Radetic was serving as a mentor for “Kids Day” at the 2010 Games in Denver. Radetic, who has a little girl of his own, loves inspiring children with disabilities to get involved with adaptive sports.

Radetic always looks forward to connecting with fellow Veterans he has met in the past couple years and the 2011 Games in Pittsburgh will give him the chance to do just that.

"This event means a lot to me, it’s something I look forward to all year long,” Radetic said. “It’s a great social gathering for military veterans. Every soldier I know has a competitive spirit, a motivational drive to challenge themselves to reach and seize the moment; this is the place to do exactly that.”