SALUTING SERVICE: AN ARIZONA CELEBRATION OF THE US MILITARY Will Be a Day of Play for Veterans and Family Today

More than 300 veterans with disabilities, wounded warriors and their families are expected to spend the day playing, relaxing and being together at the second annual Saluting Service: An Arizona Celebration of the U.S. Military from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., today, April 12 at the Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit), a program of Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL), 5031 E. Washington St.

With sponsorship support from Courtesy Chevrolet, the free event will include recreational games (dodge ball, kickball, basketball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, obstacle course, and more) for participation by the entire family, a pool party, breakout sessions for Zumba, martial arts, yoga and MELT, a self-treatment technique that helps people get out and stay out of chronic pain.

Lunch, refreshments and entertainment also are planned as are tours of SpoFit, the only facility of its kind in the nation.

"Given the selfless sacrifices made on our behalf by our military members, veterans and their families, providing even a little bit of time to be together and have fun is the very least we can do," said ABIL President and CEO Phil Pangrazio.

All military members, veterans and their families are invited to attend the event. Through a variety of community partnerships and donations to ABIL and SpoFit, SpoFit facilities and services are free to all military members, veterans and their families throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.abil.org or www.spofit.org.

Arizona Bridge to Independent Living offers and promotes programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community. The independent living philosophy states that people with disabilities should have the same civil rights, options, and control over choices in their own lives as do people without disabilities. ABIL is located at 5025 E. Washington St. Ste. 200, Phoenix, AZ 85034, www.abil.org, 602-256-2245. For more information on the Sports & Fitness Center, visit www.disabilitysportscenter.org.

The Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit) is a 45,000-square foot, state-of-the-art facility located in Phoenix, Arizona. The SpoFit offers a wide variety of amenities to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. We have a fitness center with wheelchair accessible weight machines, an aquatic area equipped with lifts and elevators, accessible locker rooms, and more! For more information, visit www.SpoFit.org.