| TPC Boston honors wounded Army veteran with membership NORTON, Mass. -- As part of the PGA TOUR's ongoing commitment to support U.S. military men and women and their families, the TOUR will award an honorary TPC Boston membership to Captain Marc Giammatteo at a special ceremony at the Club on Wednesday, August 29 at 5:30 p.m. Working in collaboration with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), the TOUR is providing honorary memberships to special wounded warriors at each of its 17 TPCs across the country. In addition to receiving the honorary membership, Giammatteo will serve as the TOUR's special guest during the Deutsche Bank Championship -- the second tournament in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, which is taking place at TPC Boston August 31 -- September 3. PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem will be on hand to make the presentation to Giammatteo, a West Point graduate who was severely injured during his tour of duty in Iraq in 2004. "On behalf of the PGA TOUR, we feel privileged to have the opportunity to give back to the brave men and women of our military and their families, who sacrifice so much so that all Americans can enjoy a level of freedom and quality of life unmatched around the world," said Finchem. A native of Southington, Conn., Giammatteo received his commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000. Upon completion of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, OK, he was assigned to the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo. Giammatteo served as a Fire Support Officer, Fire Direction Officer, and Artillery Platoon Leader before deploying to Iraq in April of 2003. He led approximately 100 successful combat missions before being severely injured during an ambush by a rocket-propelled grenade in January of 2004. The rocket-propelled grenade penetrated his vehicle and the subsequent blast tore off the outside half of his right leg from knee to ankle, while also causing multiple shrapnel wounds to his entire body. During the last two years, Giammatteo has had more than 30 surgeries at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC in the attempt to save his, albeit permanently damaged, right leg. During that time, he became an unofficial patient advocate. He also testified to the Commission on Veterans Disability Benefits, and has addressed the Secretary of the VA, the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, and two Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on behalf of wounded service members from Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Additionally, Giammatteo serves as a National Spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports, USA. Giammatteo was awarded the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious performance of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom and received his Purple Heart from President George Bush. After completing his final surgeries and therapy, Giammatteo began Harvard Business School in the fall of 2006. He was also appointed by President Bush to serve on the nine-person President's Commission on Care For America's Returning Wounded Warriors. "We are indebted to the PGA TOUR for continuing to support our wounded soldiers through fundraising activities at the TOUR's TPCs and by honoring our troops during TOUR events," said John Melia, Executive Director of the Wounded Warrior Project. During the past three years, the TOUR has raised more than $1.8 million for military homefront groups that directly serve U.S. military men and women and their families, as part of the U.S. Department of Defense's America Supports You program -- including more than $300,000 raised at TPC Boston. In addition to the Wounded Warrior Project supported by TOUR Player Frank Lickliter II, homefront groups participating in 2007 include Homes For Our Troops and Special Operations Warrior Foundation supported by TOUR Player Phil Mickelson; Naval Special Warfare Foundation supported by TOUR Player Jerry Kelly; Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund supported by TOUR Player Rory Sabbatini; and Operation Homefront supported by TOUR Player Corey Pavin. TPC Boston is located at 400 Arnold Palmer Boulevard in Norton, Mass. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||