Competition Brings Out the Spirit of the Warrior Games

Filed under Warrior Games, WTC Commander by on May 12, 2010 at 3:50 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

The first competitions of the Warrior Games started last night, and if they are any indication, we are in store for some spirited and highly competitive events. It is great to see our Soldiers so pumped up and determined to win.

Army volleyball team 1 defends the net in their game against the Air Force.

Army volleyball team 1 defends the net in their game against the Air Force.

Seated volleyball was the first competition. The Army fielded strong teams, as did the other services, which led to some exciting and well-played games. The level of enthusiasm in the sports center was truly impressive, and everyone got caught up in the excitement. There was lots of friendly banter back and forth between the services, but it was also clear that underneath the competition was a true sense of camaraderie. I was proud to see that the true spirit of the Warrior Games was on display. I was especially proud of our Army athletes who stepped up their level of play to meet some tough teams head-on, as well as our Soldiers who cheered on their comrades, drowning out the shouts of the other services.

I left the seated volleyball competition thinking it would be tough to match that level of excitement on the court and in the stands, but the Army didn’t disappoint. They were just as determined and just as tenacious on the court. Because the team was made up of Soldiers from around the country, they had never competed or even practiced together before their match but they were a team in every sense of the word. Like their teammates in volleyball, they rose to the challenge, winning a game against the Navy and holding their own against an experienced Marine Corps team.

Win or lose, I saw the fighting spirit of the Army in full force last night and it was impressive.

The Army wheelchair basketball team moves the ball down the court in their game against the Marines.

The Army wheelchair basketball team moves the ball down the court in their game against the Marines.

WTC at the Army Medical Symposium

Filed under Warrior Transition Command, WTC Commander by on May 12, 2010 at 9:00 am {no comments}

Wounded Veteran and U.S. Paralympic athlete Kortney Clemons inspires event attendees on the new WTC booth.

Wounded Veteran and U.S. Paralympic athlete Kortney Clemons inspires event attendees on the new WTC booth.

By BG Cheek, WTC Commander

As part of MEDCOM, the Warrior Transition Command will be not only a participant at the Army Medical Symposium in San Antonio May 17-20, but also an AUSA exhibitor. The joint event hosted by AMEDD and AUSA will focus on “Army Medicine: Bringing Value…Inspiring Trust.”

I am sending several senior members of my staff to participate in the symposium and join in the dialogue between military leaders, senior officials, and industry leaders about the role of the Army Medical Department during a time of war and period of transformation.

For those who are attending, I hope you’ll stop by the Warrior Transition Command booth, #223, to learn about the Army’s latest efforts around warrior care.

Embracing Ability Over Disability – Warrior Games Begins

Filed under Warrior Games, WTC Commander by on May 11, 2010 at 2:38 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

Army Athletes march down the Olympic Path during the opening ceremonies of the Warrior Games.

Army Athletes march down the Olympic Path during the opening ceremonies of the Warrior Games.

Yesterday I had the honor of watching our Soldiers participate in the opening ceremonies of the inaugural Warrior Games.  I could not have been more proud of our men and women as they marched down the Olympic Path amidst hundreds of cheering supporters.  The Mounted Color Guard and Honor Guard from the 4th Infantry Division represented the Army well as they carried the U.S. Flag and flags from each of the services down the Olympic Path.

The torch relay was particularly inspiring as athletes from each of the Services passed the torch off but continued together toward the Warrior Games cauldron.  The torch was finally passed to Roger Staubach, who lit the flame.  This moment—when athletes from each of the services arrived at the end of the Olympic Path together—exemplified the spirit of these games.  At that moment it was not a Soldier, a Sailor, an Airman, a Marine, and a Coast Guardsman standing at the base of the cauldron.  It was five athletes who, through determination and a desire to embrace their abilities, personified the American spirit.

Warrior Games athletes from each of the services passed the torch to ultimately light the Warrior Games cauldron, which will burn throughout the week.

Warrior Games athletes from each of the services passed the torch to ultimately light the Warrior Games cauldron, which will burn throughout the week.

As I told these athletes, their job does not end with the Warrior Games or with their own recovery.  Their job is to take the Warrior Games spark back to their units, to other wounded warriors and inspire them to move forward with life.   The job of these athletes is help others embrace and maximize their abilities.

To all the Warrior Games athletes—I look forward to watching you compete.  To all the Army athletes—go at this with all you have, don’t leave an ounce of energy unused, take no prisoners.  I look forward to seeing Soldiers on the medal stands.  Hooah!

Community Support is Critical

Filed under Warrior Games, WTC Commander by on May 9, 2010 at 11:00 am {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

The Warrior Games are about to start and I can’t wait to see our athletes, especially our Army athletes, compete. While most of the attention will be focused on these athletes, and rightfully so, I don’t want to overlook a key component of the Warrior Games—community support.

I encourage everyone in the Colorado Springs area to come out, watch the Warrior Games, and get to know the athletes. Behind every athlete is an inspiring story and there will be lots of great competition to see. If you can’t be here, follow all the action on the U.S. Paralympics website.

We would not be able to have the Warrior Games without the outstanding support we’ve received from the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Colorado Springs community as a whole. Thank you to all who have helped and will help with the Warrior Games.

I would also invite you to learn more about how, through our Community Support Network, local communities like Colorado Springs can help support our wounded warriors all across the country. The AW2 Community Support Network exists to connect the Army’s most severely wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families with caring organizations that can help them transition to life post-injury. I encourage you to visit the website and discover all the ways you can help a wounded warrior.

Army Warrior Care and Transition Program Recognized by National Awards Program

Filed under General, Warrior Transition Command, WTC Commander by on April 21, 2010 at 1:37 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

The U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition program received an honorable mention in the category of Military Case Management on April 20, at the 2010 “Case In Point” Platinum Awards ceremony held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

These awards recognize the most successful and innovative case management programs across the entire patient care continuum. The recognition the Army received is a reflection of the great work done to develop the Warrior Care and Transition program and is a testament to the amazing work our case managers do every day. To all who have worked and continue to work in the Warrior Care and Transition program thank you and keep up the good work.

AW2 Staff Provide Excellent Support to Wounded Warriors

Filed under Annual training, AW2, WTC Commander by on April 20, 2010 at 10:36 am {no comments}
annualtraining

AW2 Advocates attend AW2 Annual Training to enhance the services they provide to AW2 wounded warriors and their Families.

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

On Monday, I had the privilege of joining the staff of the Army Wounded Warrior Program
(AW2) at their annual training conference in Dallas. I talked to so many of them, and I was impressed with their passion for their jobs—or for many, their calling.

AW2 Advocates are very special people. They work directly with the individual wounded warriors and help them find benefits, programs, and resources throughout their transition. Their work is vitally important, in fact, it’s one of the most important parts of Army Warrior Care.

I really enjoyed AW2 Advocate Yvonne Michek’s training on case management. Her candid, heartfelt, and humorous presentation had the entire group captivated. She brought the impact of Advocates’ hard work and long hours to life.

“If it takes anything to do this job, it’s compassion,” Yvonne told the staff. “Most of us who take this job fall in love with it, and Advocates’ contributions to the Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families are invaluable.”

AW2 Soldiers and Veterans have experienced this compassion for six years this month. And, it’s this compassion that has enabled more than 6,000 Soldiers to find their new normal post injury. Seeing all 200 AW2 staff together, it was clear we’re doing something right—and we have the right people on the job.

Warriors in Athletic Competition

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, WTC Commander by on April 19, 2010 at 11:03 am {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

I recently had a chance to sit down with The Pentagon Channel and talk about Warrior Games (click here to read the interview). Over the last few weeks I’ve been visiting our Warrior Games athletes around the country to get their feedback on the Warrior Games. The feedback from Army athletes has been very positive and I have come away with the knowledge that these men and women are both inspired by the upcoming competition and serve as inspiration to other Soldiers. The Warrior Games is a great and challenging athletic event. The Warrior Games is about your abilities, not your disabilities. May the best athletes win!

Biking with Wounded Veterans in Texas

Filed under Adaptive Sports, WTC Commander by on April 9, 2010 at 3:51 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

Warrior Transition Command commander, BG Gary Cheek (center), congratulates SSG Kenny Griffith, A Co., 1st Bn. Fort Hood Warrior Transition Brigade (WTB), on completing the San Antonio to Fort Hood leg of the Ride2Recovery 350-mile cycling challenge for wounded warriors. At left is SFC Jason Kirk, A Co., 1st Bn. WTB. Both Soldiers are competing in Warrior Games in May. (Photo by Gloria Montgomery, WTB Public Affairs)

Warrior Transition Command commander, BG Gary Cheek (center), congratulates SSG Kenny Griffith, A Co., 1st Bn. Fort Hood Warrior Transition Brigade (WTB), on completing the San Antonio to Fort Hood leg of the Ride2Recovery 350-mile cycling challenge for wounded warriors. At left is SFC Jason Kirk, A Co., 1st Bn. WTB. Both Soldiers are competing in Warrior Games in May. (Photo by Gloria Montgomery, WTB Public Affairs)

As a Soldier, physical activity is a part of my daily routine. It keeps me fit and focused. It’s also fun – especially the past couple of days as I’ve biked with wounded Veterans in Ride 2 Recovery. Having done this before, it’s an event I always look forward to. Open air. Open road. Open conversations.

For me, biking is normally a way to relax but with Ride 2 Recovery this week it’s been more about inspiration. Seeing a Veteran with a missing leg or missing arm pumping the pedals next to me is fantastic! It’s an honor to get to know them and the mindset it takes to rebuild their life post injury. To not accept defeat. To learn new ways of doing their favorite activities. These are lessons that can benefit us all.

Focusing on the Future

Filed under Resources, Warrior Transition Command, WTC Commander by on March 26, 2010 at 4:20 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

Hank Cashen (left) accepts the painting "Coming Home" that Cindy Manga (right) created and donated to the Soldier and Family Assistance Center to show her appreciation of the care her husband and Family received there. (Courtesy photo)

Hank Cashen (left) accepts the painting "Coming Home" that Cindy Manga (right) created and donated to the Soldier and Family Assistance Center to show her appreciation of the care her husband and Family received there. (Courtesy photo)

I recently heard a moving story from the field and wanted to share it.

SFC Leonard Manga was injured in Iraq and is currently focusing on healing at the Warrior Transition Battalion at Schofield Barracks, HI. His spouse, Cindy, was so appreciative of the support the Soldier Family Assistance Center (SFAC) gave their Family that she picked up a paint brush for the first time in 25 years. She compassionately painted “Coming Home’ and donated it to the SFAC.

I was really impressed with how much the painting illustrates our notion of focusing on the future. The painting shows a Soldier coming home with the keys to his future in his hands. He is uncertain about the way ahead as he walks towards his Family. But through the assistance of the Army and all the programs that support wounded warriors—represented by the buildings—the Soldier is able to see a successful transition and a bright future with his Family.

Cindy’s work is a great reminder of the important role WTC staff and cadre play in the care and successful transition of wounded warriors. I appreciate her letting us know how the SFAC made a difference for her and her Family.

Warrior Games Interview

Filed under Adaptive Sports, General, Warrior Games, WTC Commander by on March 23, 2010 at 9:54 am {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

On Friday, I participated in a radio interview with As It Happens, on CBC Radio – Canada. We discussed the upcoming Warrior Games and the importance of being active for all wounded warriors.

In the interview, I stressed the incredible power of sports for recovering warriors and the personal rewards you get from doing something very difficult. So many WTs have told me that accomplishing something that seems impossible restores and amplifies their self-image and gives them the confidence to make things happen.

I see the Warrior Games as a way of challenging wounded warriors of all services to fulfill their abilities. The experience may be a little different than what they did before, but they can still enjoy the rigors and excitement of competition.

You can listen to the interview podcast here, and just scroll down to the March 19 podcast. Good luck to all wounded warriors training for the Warrior Games.

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