The Will of a Warrior

The Warrior Games may be over, but for the participants who competed at the inaugural event, their work is just beginning.

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You've just completed a rigorous test of your physical and mental skills, your strength, and endurance," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told the athletes in a video message aired during the closing ceremony. "But now is no time to rest. I'd like you to take what you've done here, what you've learned here, and continue to serve as role models for others striving to find the independence they need."

The competition, held May 10-14, formally ended at the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs) in a ceremony honoring the nearly 200 disabled veterans who represented their military services in the inaugural Warrior Games.

Jeanne Goldy-Sanitate receives a high five from Air Force head coach Cami Stock after completing the 10k handcycle race.

The troops competed in a week-long series of Paralympic-type events at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy. They were challenged as individuals and in teams in shooting, swimming, archery, sitting volleyball, cycling, wheelchair basketball, and track and field events.

Athletes were selected by their services to compete because of the progress they had made using adaptive sports as a method of rehabilitation. Their willingness to participate in the games and ability to overcome adversity can inspire others to do the same, Mullen said.

"You've demonstrated how physical fitness can help heal the mind, body, and soul," Mullen added. "That's a message worth sharing, and yours is a story worth telling."

Mullen lauded the troops for their accomplishments but reminded them other wounded warriors need their help.

That means helping injured troops understand how to properly heal themselves and find closure in their injuries, Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, told the troops.

Renuart, who has led the commands for three years from their headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., was retiring from the position the following week.

Overcoming adversity is more than simply healing physical wounds. It involves accepting new challenges and taking risks, pushing the limits of your disabilities, Renuart said.

"Healing is an interesting situation that a person goes through," the general said. "Certainly, healing is about recovering from an injury or recovering from an illness, but it is also about finding how much you can push yourself. There was a lot of healing going on this week, and a little bit of fun, too."

Renuart recalled some of the action he watched during the week. The competitions were hard fought and filled with all the spirit and aggressiveness officials had hoped for in the games.

Check out the complete article in the July 2010 S'NS.

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