April 9, 2022
Feature Video
Hiking the Highland Bowl with Tony Drees
Watch Tony’s epic ski story on The Drop-In by Aspen Times.
With more than 100 days of one-legged skiing completed during the 2021-22 winter season, Tony capped off his inaugural ski season at Aspen, CO, with an epic hike up to 12,392 feet above sea level to ski down the Highland Bowl at Aspen. His journey that day was featured in this video episode of The Drop-In by the Aspen Times.
Watch on YouTube.com
March 3, 2022
Feature Article
This Local Adaptive Athlete Wants to Do a One-Legged Backflip on Skis
“It’s not every day you see a middle-aged, one-legged Black man ripping down a ski run.”
“That’s all I want in this world: to influence people to be better, to take a look inside, decide what [they] want to do, and then do it.”
Read the article here on Colorado’s 5280.com magazine online.
Story by Courtney Holden, Photo by Spencer Miller.
February 14, 2022
Feature Article
A Love Story Thirty Years in the Making
How a Challenge Aspen Vet Found his Soulmate in the Mountains, by Spencer Miller.
Spencer Miller caught up with Tony on Day 52 of his 100-day challenge for his inaugural ski season at Aspen Snowmass and wrote this beautiful article about how Tony met his wife, Maria, in April of 2020.
Read the entire article on AspenSnowmass.com
December 17, 2021
FOX NEWS
Luke’s Wings Helps Reunite Military Families
Tony Drees appeared on national Fox News in December, 2021, helping promote the Luke’s Wings holiday campaign.
Watch this Fox News segment on Tony’s YouTube channel.
January 31, 2021
Podcast Guest Speaker
Tony Drees on A Leg Up In Life Podcast with Roni Sasaki
You’ve never heard Tony like this. Listen Here Now
January 8, 2021
Feature Article
Winter 2020 Issue: Move United Magazine
Tony Drees, Move United Warfighters Ambassador, is featured in a prominent article of the Winter 2020 Move United Magazine.
In the article, Tony says, “Sports kept me going. As a (Move United Warfighters) Ambassador, I want to share some of my experiences of how I am being active. I want people to be a part of the movement.”
To read more, here’s the PDF of the Winter 2020 Move United Magazine
November 9, 2020
MOVE UNITED SPORT
Recipient of the 2021 Kirk M. Bauer Adaptive Sports Scholarship
The Kirk M. Bauer Adaptive Sports Scholarship supports individuals with disabilities who exemplify a can-do spirit and commitment to adaptive sports and is part of the Move United Sport veteran non-profit program. Warfighters Ambassador Tony Drees will use this generous grant to advocate, collaborate, and fundraise through virtual and social-distanced events for adaptive athletes in underserved communities throughout the heartland of America.
Move United’s mission is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, competition, recreation, high-performance sport, and educational programs.
Tony is a Purple Heart amputee, an adaptive athlete champion, and a motivational speaker.
June 17, 2020
Daily Blast LIVE
Veteran Tony Drees Speaks About Social Unrest in America
Denver, CO – On June 17th, 2020, Tony Drees was interviewed by Al Jackson during Daily Blast LIVE, a nationally syndicated daily TV talk show.
The conversation touches on Tony witnessing the aftermath of the Rodney King beating while Tony was in the hospital after getting blown up in 1991, on being a black veteran, the Black Lives Matter movement, and his current mission with Move United Sports.
March 24, 2020
FEATURE VIDEO
Tony Drees Featured In Disabled Sports USA Video
Tony Drees is featured prominently in this high-production value short video which was filmed at this year’s Disabled Sports USA winter sports clinic in Stowe, Vermont. Also featuring Paralympic hopeful, Logan Knowles, and many of the other veterans who joined the fun in early March, here are two inspirational stories of incredible perseverence and triumph.
AIG is a sponsor of Disabled Sports USA.
November 11, 2019
Daily Blast LIVE
Gulf War Veteran Shares His Story on National TV
Denver, CO – Daily Blast LIVE, a nationally syndicated daily TV talk show, produced a new inspirational piece on Tony’s story in honor of Veterans Day 2019. Tony and Diva joined the crew in the studio during the live broadcast to discuss the motivational philosophy that gives him a “never quit” attitude despite having been dealt a “bad hand” in life.
Tony received national recognition on television as a Gulf War Hero and was seen by many of his friends and family during the show. As a mental health advocate, Tony encouraged other veterans and civilians alike to ease their depression by getting outside more often. He also recommended perhaps adopting a service animal or working with horses (Equine Therapy).
September 1, 2019
Paraplegia News Magazine SEPT 2019
2019 Wheelchair Games Veteran Tony Drees Graces the Cover of PN Magazine
PN Magazine’s Mission Statement
“For more than 70 years, PN has been a leader in the wheelchair community of pertinent practical news and information. PN Online (PNO) is an extension of PN and easily accessible on the internet. We are dedicated to bringing the very best of real-time, up-to-the-moment news and information for wheelchair users, family members, and medial professionals on the go. “
July 16, 2019
2019 National Veterans Wheelchair Games
Louisville, Kentucky
Tony Drees: Adaptive Athlete Champion
Tony came away with three shiny medals from the 39th Annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Louisville, Kentucky. Tony scored GOLD in PowerLifting and Wheelchair Slalom, a BRONZE in the Team Challenge (Weight Sled Pull).
The event took over part of a strip mall right in downtown Louisville. Here, Tony can be seen throwing a javelin as part of the Super G invitation.
Read Tony’s Inspirational Story from the event, posted by Oscar Mike on Facebook. Read more about the event on the Veteran Administration’s website here.
June 1, 2019
PODCAST CO-HOST
Shock & Awe 2.0: Saluting Veterans With Grace
Denver, CO – Purple Heart Veteran and Gulf War Hero Tony Drees co-hosted 13 episodes of the Shock & Awe 2.0 podcast with Tahverlee Anglen back in 2019.
The podcast’s goal has been to provide information and stories on the staff, founders, and leadership teams of the non-profit organizations in Colorado that are truly making impactful change for veterans and their families.
Organizations interviewed include Support-A-Soldier, Colorado Veterans Project, Warrior Bonfire Program, Veterans to Farmers, VFW Post #1, Special Forces Foundation, Vail Veterans Program, Angels of America’s Fallen, Freedom Service Dogs, Honor Bell Foundation, and Healing Warriors Program.
Listen right here or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.
May 22, 2019
Start With A Win Podcast with REMAX CEO Adam Contos
Interview with Motivational Speaker and Purple Heart Recipient Tony Drees
On this episode of the Start with a Win podcast, Adam is joined by Tony Drees, Executive Director of Veterans Passport to Hope and Purple Heart recipient.
He shares his 3 rules to live by and tells listeners about finding and living into their superpower. He is an advocate of managing your beliefs and deciding how to live your life regardless of those around you who may discourage you.
Our special guest on this episode of the Start with a Win podcast is Tony Drees, a Desert Storm veteran, Purple Heart recipient, life coach, motivational speaker, podcast host, and Executive Director of Veterans Passport to Hope.
May 7, 2019
FEATURE VIDEO
2019 Heroes Gala Major Illnesses TAP Honoree
In an intimate interview with Anthony Drees recorded in Denver, he discusses how the amputation of his right leg in 2018 was actually a liberation from a 25-year fight to keep his leg after the deadliest Scud missile attack of the Gulf War in February 1991 caused irreparable damage.
Tony talks about how the non-profit organization Luke’s Wings provides veterans with assistance that’s better than medicine, and mentions his work with a Colorado veteran non-profit to distribute $100,000 to other local veteran non-profits. In the video, Tony is seen being honored at the Denver Pepsi Center’s Military Appreciation Day during a game break.
[Watch on YouTube …]
April 27, 2019
LUKE’S WINGS FACEBOOK VIDEO
Program Honoree Specialist Anthony Drees of the U.S. Army
Washington, D.C. – Specialist Anthony Drees, a Purple Heart Veteran of the United States Army and an amputee, was flown in as a special guest and honoree at this year’s Luke’s Wings 8th Annual Heroes Gala. Anthony inspired this audience to do more to support the veteran community. He said if they didn’t have the resources to write a check, perhaps they have time to volunteer their help to local organizations?
Luke’s Wings is “a non-profit dedicated to the support of wounded, ill and injured service members, which provides families with means to visit during their recovery and rehabilitation.”
[Watch Tony’s Honoree Presentation on this Facebook video…]
April 19, 2019
FEATURE VIDEO
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs – 2019 National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic
Aspen, Colo. — Anthony Drees took up skiing this year! He spent a week at the 2019 National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, at Aspen, Colorado. Over 400 veterans participated together with 600 volunteers from across the country.
In this video, watch for Purple Heart veteran Tony Drees, #215, sporting orange pants and helmet at 0:26 seconds, 14:45, 15:25, 16:32, and wiping out at 16:47.
March 15, 2019
VIDEO SHORT
Warrior Bonfire: Who Best To Retire a Flag Than a Warrior?
Purple Heart Tony D. shares a deeper understanding of what a Warrior is searching for and how Warrior Bonfire plays a significant role in that journey.
The Warrior Bonfire Program‘s mission is “to provide an opportunity for wounded veterans to enjoy a favorite activity while partaking in the camaraderie and therapeutic value of spending time around the bonfire with fellow veterans.”
March 10, 2019
VIDEO SHORT
Denver Fox31 News Hero of the Month: Injured In Scud Missile Attack Nearly 30 Years Ago, But Undeterred
AURORA, Colo. — Tony Drees was wounded in a Scud missile attack during the first Gulf War nearly 30 years ago. Last year, his injuries turned even more serious. But it wasn’t much of a setback at all.
Drees has had 74 surgeries in 27 years…
February 27, 2019
HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO
Elizabeth High School: Keynote Speaker Delivers His No Lies, No Excuses, Never Quit Presentation
In support of St. Baldricks Foundation’s annual Join The Fight: Head Shaving, Tony spent two days involved with students at Elizabeth High School in Colorado.
Drees shared how just three simple rules have helped him triumph over some of the most challenging times in his life, including having his right leg amputated at the hip in 2018, and received a standing ovation.
February 19, 2019
Sky-Hi News
Rekindling the bonds of brotherhood: Program brings combat vets to country for healing, camaraderie
From the ongoing Syrian Civil War, to the still simmering conflict in Afghanistan, the decision to invade countries in the early 2000s still reverberates around the globe. Closer to home, though, the men and women who fought those conflicts on behalf of the American people will forever bear the scars of those conflagrations.
For them, healing is not a goal but a journey [View Article To Read More…]
July 4, 2018
Canon City Daily Record
Amputation Can’t Stop Army Vet
Anthony Drees vividly recalls the 1991 Iraqi missile attack on U.S. military barracks in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of more than two dozen fellow service members — an event that would also put him on a new course.
“I hear it more than I feel it [View Article To Read More…]
July 4, 2018
Denver Post
“I’m on a mission”: Colorado Army veteran wounded in Desert Storm got back on track by helping other ex-service members across the state.
Anthony Drees helps injured veterans like himself as Executive Director of Veteran’s Passport for Hope. Patrick Wieland, board president, first saw him at a fundraiser in 2016. Drees, who does motivational speaking, gave an inspirational talk at the event and within a year was tapped as executive director.
“I’m on a mission, and I know what I’m doing,” said Drees. [View Article To Read More…]
June 28, 2018
Parker Lifestyle Magazine
Hope For Our Great American Warriors
Army combat veteran Tony Drees is passionate about helping veterans thrive in civilian life, especially those who come home with debilitating physical and emotional injuries. In February, doctors finally had to amputate his leg after years of surgeries and complications.
“I’ve been homeless. I’ve been addicted to opioids. I’ve been depressed,” Tony says. [View Article To Read More…]
June 27, 2018
VIDEO SHORT
Center for the Intrepid: A healing and recovery center for active military, veterans and their dependents.
Center for the Intrepid is a medical research facility which offers state-of-the-art rehab and wellness training for wounded veterans in San Antonio, Texas. “We have higher-level patients; people that are driven to do more physical things than you would in a normal rehab population.” Melissa Jacob, Occupational Therapist
May 31, 2018
Denver Post
Veteran Undergoes 70th Surgery to Remove Leg from War Wounds Suffered
Denver-based nonprofit organization Veteran’s Passport to Hope (VP2H) welcomes back Executive Director Tony Drees after undergoing his 70th surgery to remove his right leg from war wounds he suffered 27 years ago during the Persian Gulf War.
Drees, 23 years old at the time of the attack, [View Article To Read More…]
April 11, 2018
Denver Post
Veteran’s Passport To Hope Raises $94,000 to Support Local Veterans
“There has never been a more important time to support our veterans. The Gala is an exciting event that brings people together in our community who genuinely want to make a difference in the lives of our local veterans,” said Drees.
The evening was sponsored in large part by businesses, organizations, and individuals who generously donated financially and [View Article To Read More…]
March 26, 2018
VIDEO SHORT
University of Phoenix – Tony Drees Master’s of Management Recognition Reel
Tony Drees received his Master’s of Management degree from the University of Phoenix. With this video, Tony was given special recognition for diversity and empowerment in education at the 2015 NAACP Image Awards.”
May 30, 1991
People Magazine
Tales from the Front
“Meanwhile, I kept looking at my green scope until I saw a TBM [tactical ballistic missile] coming directly at us. There was no time to think. All around I could hear the BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! of other Patriot units beginning to fire.”
Sometimes, though, the Scuds got through. Army PFC Anthony Drees, 23, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, had been in Saudi Arabia less than a week when a Scud barreled into his tin-plated barracks, leaving 29 dead and Drees fighting for his life [View Article To Read More…]
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