Image courtesy: Jeff Huehn PhotographyHere is something to look forward to. At a news conference today, Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek and other dignitaries announced plans for the inaugural Warrior Games, which will take place from May 10-14 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A press release quotes the general explaining the new event's competitive spirit:
"We want all our nation's wounded warriors to strive to test new limits and achieve new goals as they demonstrate the power of ability over disability," said Cheek. "Our service members continually rise to the occasion both in the call to duty and in their efforts to recover from serious injury. The Warrior Games will provide a unique challenge for those who wish to learn more about adaptive sports and compete at a national level."
Men and women from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard will compete in events like archery, track, basketball, discus, and shooting. According to the press release, about 200 servicemembers will participate, drawn in proportion from each branch.
I hope The Warrior Games are televised, because many will watch if given the opportunity. I remember being inspired when President George W. Bush went jogging with wounded Staff Sgt. Christian Bagge outside the White House in June 2006. I don't mention this as some sort of political endorsement; I bring it up because it shows many injured veterans want to continue being athletic and encouraging fellow wounded heroes. Bagge, who lost both legs and was badly burned by two June 2005 IED explosions in Kirkuk, Iraq, told KATU-TV a few months after his near-death experience that it is important to keep pushing forward.
"It's so easy to let yourself get down and frustrated and just kind of throw your hands up in the air, but I can't call in sick, I can't quit because it's not going to do me any good," said Christian.
Like Bagge, 200 wounded veterans get their chance to inspire millions in May.
Image courtesy: The White House
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