MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Hundreds of men, women and children flocked to Camp Pendleton’s 11 Area football field to participate in the 34th annual Buddy Bowl, Nov. 27.
The annual flag-football tournament raises money to benefit military personnel injured in battle and children of Marines who were killed in combat.
“It’s a great opportunity for friends and families to gather in a fun and competitive setting,” said Nico Marcolongo, retired Marine and president of the Buddy Bowl organization. “It has grown significantly popular over the years.”
The Buddy Bowl dates back to 1977, where it was originally a casual flag-football tournament played on the beaches of San Diego. In 1999, after five Marines and one Navy corpsman were killed in a helicopter training accident off Point Loma, the tournament transformed into the fundraising event it is today.
Four of the men killed in the accident were in Marcolongo's unit, which inspired him and his wife to raise money for the crash victims.
Now, the Buddy Bowl raises thousands of dollars each year for scholarships for military children who have lost parents in Afghanistan or Iraq. The charity also supports the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation and the Adaptive Sports Foundation, which both help organize leagues and pick-up games for the participants.
“The (Buddy Bowl) is such a great program,” said Dan Oakland, Vietnam veteran and participant in the event. “I’ve been participating for three years and each year it gets more and more exciting.”
Oakland also became a member of CAF after losing his right leg below-the-knee to an enemy mine while on patrol in the dense jungles of South Vietnam. After retiring from the Army, Oakland began cycling, mountain biking and climbing.
“He’s an inspiration to all the players here,” said Lisa Marcolongo, spouse of Nico Marcolongo and avid fundraiser for the program. “Not only is he thriving as an amputee out on the field, but he’s the oldest one here.”
According to the Buddy Bowl website, this football game is the only annual event in the U.S. that raises money for military and law enforcement personnel and their families through a recreational sport, and it includes both physically challenged and able-bodied participants.
“I feel at ease knowing that I can compete with other amputees and still have a good time,” said Oakland. “There’s nothing in life we can’t handle; all you have to do is have the courage to take the first step.”
In 2010, the Buddy Bowl has been played in Roseburg, Ore.; Millis, Mass.; and Camp Pendleton. For 2011, the program plans to expand to Las Vegas and Dayton, Ohio.
For more information visit the website at www.buddybowl.org.