Photo By Patrick Onofre | The Marine Corps Trials are a Paralympic style competition in which wounded, ill, and...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – When Cpl. Benjamin Latham first arrived at Wounded Warrior Battalion East, he couldn't walk or talk, today he holds three gold medals from the 2014 Marine Corps Trials aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, held last month.
Two Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Wounded Warriors, Latham and Cpl. Alan Melick, were awarded medals in the trials. However, the trials were not just competitions to the Marines, it was a crucial step in their recovery process.
“The Marine Corps Trials is an event for wounded, ill and injured Marines to compete in sporting events,” said Latham, a Wounded Warrior and Light Armored Vehicle Crewman with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. “They can compete and prove to themselves that their disabilities don’t define them.”
Latham competed in swimming and cycling competitions, receiving the gold medal in three swimming events, including the 100 meter freestyle, 50 meter freestyle and the 50 meter backstroke.
Cpl. Melick, a Wounded Warrior and anti-tank missleman with 2nd Battalion 9th Marines, competed in archery, swimming and seated discus, placing second in compound archery out of 150 competitors, and took home the gold medal in the seated discus.
The road to the trials was not easy for the two Marines, but through perseverance and dedication, they kept pushing forward.
When Latham first arrived at Wounded Warrior Battalion East, he knew it was important to keep a positive mind set, he said.
“When I first arrived, my former first sergeant told me not to go into the shadows and let this situation take hold of me,” said Latham. “He told me to go be active and see what is out there and that’s exactly what I did.”
Sports gave the injured Marines a way to compete while keeping their minds focused on bettering themselves.
“When I first got to Wounded Warrior Battalion East, I had pretty low spirits,” said Melick. “After I rekindled my skills in swimming and archery, it really raised my spirits, and when they told me I had a chance to compete in the trials I was excited.”
Through all the hardships and bumps in the road, the Marines refuse to let their injuries slow them down.
“It has really helped me understand that even though I have limits, I set them in my mind more than on my body,” said Latham. “When I first got injured I couldn't walk, I couldn't talk and now as I keep progressing, those boundaries keep disappearing.”
According to the two Marines, being involved and staying motivated is a key part of the recovery process, something they hope to share with Wounded Warriors around the country.
“Find something that is your driving source, whether it is your family, your church or an activity, and let that be your outlet,” said Latham. “Don’t just sit in your room and be alone. Being alone is the worst punishment you can do to yourself, so be active and go hang out with friends.”
Whether you spend time with friends or compete in a sport, always keep moving forward in your life and the recovery process, said Melick.
“It’s important to know your limitations, but get out there and be active,” said Melick. “Things get better over time and getting involved in something really helps.”
Although all service members were pushing for a medal, not all prizes won at the trials were made of gold. No matter how each service member performed during the competition, every Wounded Warrior bettered themselves in some way and meet a goal, explained Latham.
“Even the people who didn't place, still reached a goal,” said Latham. “They made a new personal best, they pursued something and overcame adversity and can now continue to push themselves. It’s not all about medals and being the best, it’s about being the best you.”
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| Date Taken: | 04.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2014 10:43 |
| Story ID: | 125524 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 259 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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