Stories

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Christmas came Early for one Soldier at Warrior Games
August 27, 2022 — For Team Army member Staff Sgt. Stacy Englert, waiting for the chance to compete at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games was like waiting on Santa Clause to arrive... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Stacy Englert aims at her target during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 21, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army at the Walt Disney World Resort, this year’s Warrior Games sees service members and veterans from across the DoD competing in a variety of adaptive sports alongside armed forces athletes from Canada and Ukraine.

Wheelchair rugby is a family affair for one Soldier’s Family
August 25, 2022 — Spectators watching wheelchair rugby practice at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games expect to hear the chairs crashing together, see the collision of athletes and become mesmerized by the speed of the wheels... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cole Thielen, left, and Liannie Rodriguez work on repairing the wheelchair rugby wheel at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 18, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army at the Walt Disney World Resort, this year’s Warrior Games sees service members and veterans from across the DoD competing in a variety of adaptive sports alongside armed forces athletes from Canada and Ukraine.

Commentary: The spirit of Warrior Games
August 24, 2022 — Heritage and history provide lessons that help the U.S. military be the strongest in the world today. Looking back provides the bridge to further deliver the best care for the nation’s number one commodity: it’s people, sons and daughters…warriors... MORE

U.S. Army Pfc. Darnell Boynton cheers in support of Team Army during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 20, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army at the Walt Disney World Resort, this year’s Warrior Games sees service members and veterans from across the DoD competing in a variety of adaptive sports alongside armed forces athletes from Canada and Ukraine.

Team Army’s Warrior Games odyssey begins
August 22, 2022 — ORLANDO (August 22, 2022) -- After months of training and nail-biting anticipation, Team Army finally kicked off their quest for Department of Defense Warrior Games dominance, Aug. 19, 2022, with a change-of-plans opening ceremony at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The opening ceremony was scheduled to be an extravaganza in Champion Stadium with over 300 athletes from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command, Canada, and the Ukraine, marching in with loud music blaring and families cheering. There was to be the traditional torch lighting ceremony, special appearances, and a concert by none other than Darius Rucker. But central Florida weather decided to rain down thunder and lightning, causing the extremely adept Disney crew to create their magic by moving the ceremony indoors to the Advent Health Arena. Comedian, actor, and activist Jon Stewart is no stranger to the DoD Warrior Games. Stewart has been the master of ceremonies many times in the past, and said it was an honor for him to be amongst the nations heroes assembled at Walt Disney World Resort. Darius Rucker also addressed the crowd during the abbreviated opening ceremony. He told the athletes and their family members that he skipped his son’s first high school football game to have the honor of performing at the DoD Warrior Games. He explained how difficult it was to tell his son that he was going to miss his game. Rucker was surprised by the response he got back from his son when he told him exactly who he would be performing for and why. Rucker said his son’s response was, “You wouldn’t be my dad if you didn’t miss my game.” Earlier in the afternoon of opening day, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command, stopped by training to encourage the team. Dingle spoke with U.S. Army Spc. Justin Anderson, of the Brooke Army Medical Center Soldier Recovery Unit, near the end of sprint training. Dingle asked Anderson what events he would be competing in during the Warrior Games. “Overall, I’m doing cycling, track, and field,” explained Anderson. “I’m running the 100 and 200 (meter races), and if they don’t cancel it, the 400.” Anderson is also competing in swimming, archery, and seated discus. Anderson confessed that swimming was his best event, having competed in high school. “So, you’ll be bringing home a medal,” Dingle stated emphatically. Anderson was familiar with swimming the short course in high school and said it will be a little different swimming long course here at Warrior Games. The difference in the courses didn’t faze Dingle. “Oh, but you got this!” said Dingle. Anderson enthusiastically agreed. “I definitely got this,” said Anderson. “It’s in the bag.” It was an extremely hot day for training at the track, but Dingle took time to speak with every Team Army participant that was still training. He stopped by Team Ukraine to give them a shout out and offer encouragement. He even took in a ‘mock’ 100-meter race between Anderson and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Allen Zohdi. Zohdi, originally from Boston, is currently assigned to the Fort Benning, SRU, and said being there has acclimated him to the heat. “Luckily being at Fort Benning helped me be conditioned to the Florida heat,” said Zohdi. “It’s not really bothering me that much. And for the most part, a lot of us (Team Army) are staying on top of hydrating. So far, we’re doing pretty good.” The Army Recover Care Program is the place where wounded, ill and injured Soldiers go to recover with the confidence they, their families and caregivers will be well cared for. Warrior Games is an event where Soldiers and their families exhibit their resilience and to overcome any challenge and represent the strength of the nation. The first events to kick off Warrior Games are shooting and wheelchair rugby preliminary matches. The daily schedule is posted on the 2022 Warrior Games at: https://www.dodwarriorgames.com/games/schedule/. To watch the live stream, go to: https://venues.vimeo.com/1658936874369. Follow Team Army on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usarmyarcp Twitter: https://twitter.com/armyARCP DVIDS: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/ARCP #TeamArmy #WarriorGames22... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Allen Zohdi, left, meets Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command, after field practice for Team Army at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando, Florida, during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, Aug. 19, 2022. The DoD Warrior Games will be conducted on Aug. 19 – 28, hosted by the U.S. Army at Walt Disney World Resort. Men and women from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and U.S. Special Operations Command are joined in competition by athletes with the Canadian Soldier On organization for a variety of adaptive sports ranging from archery to wheelchair rugby.

Army Chaplain Preaches the Gospel of the Soldier Recovery Units
August 5, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va, - Call him Father, Chaplain, or Captain… Phillip Tah has many titles but one mission. “I found a career that was meant for me which is to take care of people. This was a choice I made to care for wounded, and sick people,” said the Catholic Priest of twenty-six years, now serving as a Chaplain assigned to the Fort Drum Soldier Recover Unit in Upstate New York... MORE

Father Phillip Tah is the Chaplain at the Fort Drum Soldier Recovery Unit

Team Army Coach Says Small Progress is still Victory
July 11, 2022 — Three time All American basketball player and coach of the UCLA Bruins, John Wooden once said “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.” Team Army Coach Adriane Wilson does both, every day when she works with wounded, ill and injured Soldiers getting ready to compete somewhere... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jack Deleuw practices for the 100- meter wheelchair race with Team Army Coach Adriane Wilson at Army Trials May 8, 2022, at Fort Bragg North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Spc. Aleksander Fomin

How the Walter Reed SRU helped a soccer player - turned -Soldier tackle Cancer
June 28, 2022 — Jamaican born Roy Thompson always dreamed of joining the United States Army. That dream began with a sports scholarship. “I came to the United States on a Soccer Scholarship… I played for East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. After college I joined the Army National Guard and fell in love with it. After my commitment to the guard, I went active duty.”... MORE

Staff Sgt. Roy Thompson and fellow Soldiers add to the bounty of fish caught on a trip from the Walter Reed Soldier Recovery unit at Taylors Island Delaware in 2021

Rebuilding Lives: How Adaptive Recovery Helps Soldiers With an Uncertain Future
April 22, 2022 — Few understand the struggle of a Soldier beset by an injury or illness. Ripped from the military world they knew, they face an uncertain future. These Soldiers often wonder where to turn to for support and guidance... MORE

Staff Sgt. Judson Heard, a Soldier assigned to the Fort Bragg Soldier Recovery Unit, North Carolina, catches a wave at Carolina Beach on July 29 during an adaptive surfing event.

Capt. Casey Turner Feels Stronger Than Ever Going Into Invictus Games
April 21, 2022 — Army Reservist Capt. Casey Turner faced the difficulty of a right knee injury in 2017 and underwent three knee surgeries. Today, she feels stronger than ever as she trains for the upcoming Invictus Games in The Hague, The Netherlands... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Casey Turner prepares to compete in the 2022 Invictus Games by training in cycling during the 2022 Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, April 9, 2022. Team U.S is a part of more than 500 participants from 20 countries who will take part in The Invictus Games The Hague 2020 featuring ten adaptive sports, including archery, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming, track, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge.

Staff Sgt. Ross Alewine Excited to Return to Invictus Games
April 20, 2022 — There are many things that can be said about the legend of retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ross Alewine, but complacent is not one of them. Over the years, he’s garnered a reputation as the ultimate competitor... MORE

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt Ross Alewine throws a shot putt during a practice session on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on April 8, 2022. Team U.S. is a part of more than 500 participants from 20 countries who will take part in The Invictus Games The Hague 2020 featuring ten adaptive sports, including archery field, indoor rowing powerlifting, swimming, track, sitting, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge