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Warrior Games 2013
Warrior Games 2013: 50 AF wounded warriors test their mettle.
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Warrior Games 2013: Personal stories of adversity turned into triumph

Posted 5/3/2013 Email story   Print story

    

5/3/2013 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- Warrior Games, a spirited competition that pits wounded , ill or injured service members and veterans against their representative services continues into its fourth year as teams converge on Colorado Springs, Colo., beginning May 11.

This year, 50 Airmen or former Airmen will compete in individual and team sports that include archery, cycling, shooting, swimming, track and field, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.
Over the next two weeks you'll get a close-up look at these warriors and the long road they've travelled from, in some cases death's door, to becoming some of the premier wounded athletes in the country.

There's the story of Katie Robinson, a former combat camera videographer who was shot in Iraq, and has worked through PTSD issues to compete in both swimming and track and field. Then there's Darrell Fisher, a former senior airman who was seemingly killed and pronounced dead in a random shooting and went through an intense near death experience before a long road to recovery.

Staff Sgt. Lara Ishikawa tells the story of her fight against invasive mammary carcinoma. "It's heart-wrenching," Ishikawa said. "Nobody expects to get cancer, and I had no family history of it. I've always been very healthy and active, and I tried to take care of myself. It was a shock..." She, along with two other cancer survivors, will compete this year.

Then there is the story of Master Sgt. Paul Horton, an EOD NCO, who says he was always the unlucky one growing up and has been blown up on six different occasions to prove it. He tells his story of overcoming the odds each time and somehow turning potential tragedy into a series of learning experiences. Maybe he's not so unlucky after all.

These stories and more will be highlighted over the next two weeks as warriors from all services come together to show their mettle and compete over six days and seven events. These stories will sometimes amaze you, sometimes pull at your heart strings, but in all cases show examples of turning tragedy into something much more positive.



tabComments
5/8/2013 10:17:58 PM ET
our youngest son is atrack and feild competor thanks to the outstanding medical treatment he still has his leg and is compeating standing his mother and i are so proud of him and all the warriors theyt all have overcome so much and need our support.
mike, little rock ar
 
5/8/2013 4:08:09 PM ET
Bob - The Department of Defense fenced money for Wounded Warrior programs and they aren't subject to sequestration. I invite you out to the Air Force Academy next week to watch the games and then let us know what you think of this program. David Cannon US Air Force Academy
david cannon, US Air Force Academy
 
5/8/2013 3:21:19 PM ET
@Bob...No need to start trolling with those comments. Although we are facing tight fiscal strains it is still important to recognize wounded service members for their efforts and sacrifices. For once put yourself in their shoes. Sometimes doing things to improve the well being of others whether emotionally or physically is more important than counting dollars and cents.
Mac, WA
 
5/8/2013 12:01:13 PM ET
Who pays for transportation lodging and meals In light of the current sequestration Warrior Games is not mission essential. Neither the government nor American taxpayers should be footing the bill for this feel good program.
Bob, USA
 
5/7/2013 3:33:05 PM ET
Team USA is handling all the volunteers. The site is httpwww.teamusa.orgwarriorgames If opportuniites aren't available please come out to cheer them on
Stephen Ludwig CMSgt, USAF Academy
 
5/7/2013 11:44:15 AM ET
Are volunteers needed for this event
Kimberly Hartmann, Buckley AFB CO
 
5/7/2013 9:35:51 AM ET
There's plenty of information at the website. httpwww.teamusa.orgUS-ParalympicsMilitaryWarrior-Games-presented-by-Deloitte.aspx
J, Colorado Springs Co
 
5/3/2013 4:09:01 PM ET
Info herehttpwww.wtc.army.milabout_uswarriorgames2013.html
Common Sense, Denver
 
5/3/2013 9:36:03 AM ET
I can't wait to read these stories. I wish there was more information about this competition.
Tabi P, Maryland
 
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