By Jim Wenzel, WTC STRATCOM
Wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans arrive at Fort Meade to compete for spots on the Army’s 2012 Warrior Games team.
For the next five days, athletes will train in swimming, cycling, sitting volleyball, and track and field to prepare them for timed trials that will be used to select the Army’s team for the third annual Warrior Games.
Warrior Games draws wounded, ill, and injured athletes from the Army, Marines, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force, and Special Operations to compete in archery, cycling, wheelchair basketball, shooting, swimming, track and field, and sitting volleyball.
SSG Krissell Kreager-Lumpkins has been in the Army 11 years and was injured falling off a Utah mountain during combat training operations. She has been through several surgeries and will most likely undergo more as she recovers from injuries to her head, back, and neck.
At 27 years old, Kreager-Lumpkins is a first-time competitor for this year’s games; however, she was inspired to try out for the team while encouraging another Soldier during last year’s swimming event. “Last year I didn’t know if I’d be able to walk,” Kreager-Lumpkins said, “I told my squad leader that I would be swimming in this year’s games. I want to show others that there is life beyond injury”
LTC Keith Williams, WTC Adaptive Sports and Recondition Branch Chief, is responsible for arranging more than 10 clinics to prepare wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans to represent the Army at the games. As adaptive sports programs begin to grow at the 29 Warrior Transition Units- link to page (WTUs) throughout the Army, he has seen the positive impact these activities have on recovering Soldiers.
“There is no doubt that a Soldier engaged in a sport or other physical activity recovers more quickly,” said Williams. “The Warrior Games provides our wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers an opportunity to test themselves and regain both confidence and abilities that they may have thought were lost.”
The clinic will conclude with a final ceremony on Monday with WTC Commander BG Darryl Williams, congratulating clinic participants and recognizing finalists.
WTC plans to announce the 50 Soldiers and Veterans who will represent the Army on March 26. The games will take place beginning April 30 at the Olympic Training Center and Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
