News>Airmen begin Warrior Games at Olympic Training Complex
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Teams representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations Command sit May 16, 2011, during the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Griffin)
The Air Force team marches down Olympic Path to a cheering crowd May 16, 2011, during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Some 200 wounded warriors and disabled veterans from all the military services are competing in paralympic-style athletic events May 16 through May 21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Supporters, friends and family members cheer on the Air Force team during the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony May 16, 2011, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. J. Paul Croxon)
Retired Maj. Gwen M. Sheppard marches down Olympic Path to a cheering crowd during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Warrior Games May 16, 2011, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Some 200 wounded warriors and disabled veterans from all the military services are competing in paralympic-style athletic events May 16 through May 21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Paralympian John Register sings the national anthem during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 16, 2011. Some 200 wounded warriors and disabled veterans from all the military services are competing in paralympic-style athletic events May 16 through May 21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Navy Adm. James Winnefeld speaks during the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony May 16, 2011, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 16, 2011. Some 200 wounded warriors and disabled veterans from all the military services are competing in paralympic-style athletic events May 16 through May 21. Admiral Winnefeld is the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Members of the Air Force team listen as Navy Adm. James Winnefeld speaks during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Warrior Games May 16, 2011, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Some 200 wounded warriors and disabled veterans from all the military services are competing in paralympic-style athletic events May 16 through May 21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Air Force team members sing the Air Force song during the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony May 16, 2011, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Some 200 wounded warriors and disabled veterans from all the military services are competing in paralympic-style athletic events May 16 through May 21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Retired Staff Sgt. Jason Morgan's dog Nepal waits patiently for the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony to begin May 16, 2011, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Sergeant Morgan is a member of the Air Force team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. J. Paul Croxon)
Members of the Ft. Carson Mounted Color Guard travel down the Olympic Pathway May 16, 2011, during the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Some 200 wounded warriors and disabled veterans from all the military services are competing in paralympic-style athletic events May 16 through May 21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
by Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
Defense Media Activity
5/17/2011 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- Twenty-five Airmen joined nearly 200 other wounded warriors for the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony May 16 at the Olympic Training Complex here.
The competition between all branches of service, including the Coast Guard, is in its second year and is open to service members who were injured while serving on active duty. Athlete disabilities range from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries to triple amputations and severe burn injuries.
"These games are a shining light, showing our nation the triumph of the human spirit and plain hard work . . . against what many would view as insurmountable challenges," said Navy Admiral James A. Winnefeld, the commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the military representative during the ceremony. "We will never truly know what each of you has been through, but it's not lost on me, or others who support you how hard you've had to work to be here today."
The Air Force team comprises 23 Airmen, four who remain on active duty, and two Airmen who are competing as members of the newly formed U.S. Special Operations Command team.
Following the posting of the colors by the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, the athletes marched down the "Olympic Pathway" where hundreds of spectators cheered each team and the Olympic torch was passed between torch bearers from each service.
Retired Maj. Gwendolyn Sheppard acted as the torch bearer for the Air Force team. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, the first person living person to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietman War, lit the cauldron opening the week-long event.
The games include sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, swimming, archery, shooting and track and field events. Aside from individual events, each team will compete for the Champion's Cup, which is awarded to the team that earned the highest cumulative score.
"These games are a way for you to represent our country on a different battlefield," Admiral Winnefeld said. "Not only showcasing your hard-earned athletic prowess . . . but your desire to represent your services as part of a team."
The 2011 Warrior Games will culminate with a closing ceremony May 21.
Comments
5/18/2011 8:50:00 AM ET An appropriate location for these games as the OTC is located on the site of a former military base dating back to WW II. Was established in 1943 as the headquarters location for Second Air Force. Was Ent Air Force Base from 1949 to 1975. Headquarters for the USAF and US Army Air Defense Commands Continental Air Defense Command and North American Air Defense Command during that period.
Jeff, Colorado Springs
5/17/2011 2:22:38 PM ET Thank you all for protecting my family. Go Coast Guard
