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    Carson hosts Warrior Games

    FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

    09.29.2014

    Story by Sgt. William Smith 

    4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

    FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Wounded warriors representing all five branches of the military competed in a multitude of cycling events on Fort Carson Sept. 29, 2014, as part of the 2014 Warrior Games.

    Sgt. 1st Class Katie Kuiper, Warrior Transition Battalion, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, earned a gold medal in the women’s 20-kilometer cycling event.

    “I am ecstatic that I won,” Kuiper said. “I am glad and honored to be able to represent the Army. It has been an awesome opportunity to be surrounded by amazing athletes,” she said.

    Kuiper encouraged other wounded warriors to try their hand at rehabilitative sports and activities.

    “If you have the opportunity to watch or participate in the Warrior Games, take it,” Kuiper said. “It helps the healing process. If you feel like you can’t do an event, try and you will be surprised (at) what you are capable of doing.”

    Fort Carson’s Staff Sgt. Max Hasson, WTB, placed fourth in the men’s 10-kilometer hand cycle event, just missing the podium.

    “I have pretty big shoes to fill after last year’s amazing athletes,” Hasson said. “The games have been fun and rewarding. I am honored to represent Fort Carson.”

    Hasson said he finds inspiration from the injuries his brothers and sisters-in-arms have overcome.

    “My injuries are not as bad as a lot of these guys,” Hasson said. “The games have been a great experience. It is motivating to see the amount of effort all of us have put in.”

    David Smith, a physical therapy assistant with the Army bike team, said he believes all the hard work the team has put in will pay great dividends.

    Smith, who works in the Soldier Adaptive Reconditioning Program at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, explained how the games are an emotionally charged experience for him.

    “When any Service member, regardless of branch, is injured there is damage to their self-esteem,” said Smith. “From what I have experienced, the games help rebuild them. I hope we can keep the games going for a long time. It gives wounded warriors something to strive for.”

    During the Warrior Games, 200 wounded, ill and injured Service members and veterans compete in cycling, archery, swimming, sitting volleyball, shooting, wheelchair basketball and track and field. In addition to Fort Carson, events are held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, the U.S. Air Force Academy and Garry Berry Stadium. The games opened Sept. 28 and conclude Oct. 3.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.29.2014
    Date Posted: 10.02.2014 16:49
    Story ID: 144112
    Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US

    Web Views: 109
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN