WPH Press, West Lafayette, IN, 3/13/24
The 2024 Inaugural Armed Forces Open was held March 8-9 on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. The two-day event drew over a dozen players from FL, IN, NC, NY, & WI. There were five divisions that included Open Singles, 60+ Singles, 60+ Doubles, 70+ Singles & 70+ Doubles. Each division was highly contested, with several matches decided by a Tiebreaker. Every competitor played at least two matches, with some playing more than four. Thank you to all who participated and donated to the cause!
Results
Open Singles
Bill Mehilos (IN) d. Santino Alteri (IN) 9, 3.
60+ Singles
First Round: Jim Falcone (NC) d. Charles Phelps (IN) 13, 6.
Semis: David McElwain (IN) d. Mark Alteri (NY) 13, 12.
Paul Alteri (NY) d. Falcone 14, 11.
Final: P. Alteri d. McElwain 7, (13), 5.
Consolation: M. Alteri d. Phelps 10, 2.
60+ Doubles
P. Alteri/S. Alteri d. Brad Dehnke (IN)/Phelps 6, 11
70+ Singles
David Schmelz (FL) d. Stan Melnick (NC) 18, 14.
70+ Doubles
Schmelz/Melnick d. Gary Jackson (IN)/M. Alteri 6, 14.
The Armed Forces Banquet was held on Saturday, March 9th at the VFW. Boasting an audience of 60+ guests, the event was a major success. US Senators T. Young (R-IN) and M. Braun (R-IN) were represented, along with Indiana State Representatives C. Campbell (D), S. Klinker (D), J. Baird (R) & C. Haggard (R) in attendance. Candidate C. Bookwalter (R) also made a special appearance amidst running for US Congress District 4. The evening began with a musical performance from Sgt. Michael Carluccio, USMC (Ret.), a native of Detroit, MI and Frank Sinatra Tribute. The Lafayette Police Department presented the Colors before the playing of the National Anthem, Pledge and Invocation. Dinner was catered by Slabby’s Food & Freedom and desserts were donated by local businesses. The night followed with speeches by distinguished guests, gift basket raffles and the retiring of Colors.
Santino Alteri, Director/Organizer for the Armed Forces Open & Banquet, raised over $7,500 for the Purdue University Veteran & Military Success Center. The money will help provide a comprehensive suite of wrap-around support services for Purdue’s 2,500+ military-connected students. Alteri also revealed the launch of his Non-Profit Organization, “Armed Forces Success Center,” that will provide FREE tutoring, professional writing & mentorship/counseling to both Active and Retired service members and their families. He’s already looking forward to hosting next year’s Armed Forces Open & Gala while being stationed in Newport, RI.
Inaugural 2024 Armed Forces tournament banquet on Youtube HERE
For any questions or if you’re interested in helping to plan next year’s events, please reach Santino at santinoalteri13@gmail.com or (315) 767-5733.
Thank you to LT Santino Alteri for organizing, running, recapping, taking pictures and fundraising for the inaugural Armed Forces Open.