Today, we salute Veteran Joey Woodke. While serving in Afghanistan, Joey stepped on the pressure plate of an IED. He lost both legs and severely damaged his right ear in the explosion. A year and a half at Walter Reed Medical Center and after multiple surgeries, he walked out on prosthetics. Still, it was the sled that gave him purpose and turned his disability into capability. Before long, Joey not only fell in love with sled hockey but he joined a team. He connected with Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a veteran nonprofit that provided him with equipment, funding, and a community to support him throughout his hockey career. Woodke made the U.S. National Team, winning gold in the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. Joey says hockey made him feel whole again and gave him the camaraderie back he was missing. Congratulations on your success, Joey, and THANK YOU for your service.