COEUR d'ALENE - Joe Pomarico may be missing his right leg from the mid-thigh down, but when the Air Force Vietnam veteran straps into a customized sled to play hockey, he tears onto the ice and rallies.

"I don't think it's any more difficult, it's just different," said Pomarico, of Post Falls. "I want to use this leg to balance or pull myself up, but I can't."

Pomarico lost his leg in a sawmill accident 17 years ago. He relies on crutches to get around and maintains an upbeat, positive attitude.

"I just celebrated 17 years of still being here," he said, adding that June 25 was the anniversary of the day his leg was amputated following the accident. "It's all good."

This was Pomarico's third time participating in the disabled veterans sled hockey session, which took place at the Frontier Ice Arena on Saturday morning. He and a few other vets, a couple volunteers and some youngsters sat down, strapped in and smacked the puck around for an hour.

Pomarico said he is loving it.

"I think it's awesome," he said. "It gives us a chance to get together and talk and have fun, instead of sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves. You get out there with a bunch of other guys who are disabled. Good camaraderie. I love it."

The sled hockey sessions are conducted in increments. This series of sessions was hosted and sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 in Coeur d'Alene and the nonprofit Inland Northwest Disabled Veterans Sports Association.

Vice president of the INDVSA is Don Waddell of Post Falls. Waddell served in the Army from 1968-70 and has been battling service-related multiple sclerosis for 41 years. Now in a wheelchair, Waddell enjoys the ice sport using the custom sleds and shortened, curved sticks. He said the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Disabled Veterans of America put on a winter sports clinic that featured sled hockey a while ago and he was intrigued. The program is now in its third year.

"I liked it, tried it, wanted to learn how to do it," he said. "It's not particularly difficult."

The sport helps with balance, coordination and upper-body strength. Waddell said that many of those who participate are about middle-aged or older, but he would love to see younger disabled veterans participate. He also said interested parties do not even have to be veterans or be completely confined to a wheelchair if they want to play. He said he had never been interested in hockey before he discovered sled hockey.

"Once you get out there skating and stuff, you want to get better," he said. "They love it. The ones that stay are dedicated."

John McGuire of Post Falls is a member of VFW Post 889. He said the sled hockey sessions can attract up to 12 people, but this weekend was a bit sparse with Spokane Hoopfest and other activities happening.

"They have a great time, they're playing really hard," he said. "When they come off, they're exhausted."

Lynda Wood, the junior vice of Post 889's Ladies Auxiliary, spectated and cheered the players. It was her first time seeing sled hockey in action.

"We just wanted to root the vets on and see their program," she said. "It's cool. It's really cool. It's amazing they can get out there and they keep their balance and they have fun. And the kids get to get out there and they learn what it's like not to have limbs."

Wood's brother, Charles Garley, of Coeur d'Alene, served in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972. He joined her and a friend in watching the session.

"It gives them a chance to challenge themselves and be competitive," he said. "Watching them makes you feel good."

Donny Callihan, 13, of Dalton Gardens, was one of the youngsters who joined in the sled hockey. He said he participated to accompany his friend and to help out veterans for community service hours. He is a member of the North Idaho Young Marines.

"Be happy with what you have," he said. "I feel glad that I have what I have."

He said he has a newfound respect for those who lack mobility or have lost limbs serving their country.

"People out there risk their lives for safety and freedom," he said.

The next disabled veterans sled hockey session is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 12. Anyone interested in playing or obtaining information can call Waddell at (208) 755-4875 or email scjmustang@gmail.com.