Photo By Benny Ontiveros | From left: Silver medalist U.S. Army veteran Joshua Palmer, Gold medalist U.S. Army...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - U.S. Army athletes came out strong and competed for the top slot in the 2015 U.S. Army Trials Air Pistol- rifle prone event, at the Ronald D. Milam Fitness Center, Fort Bliss, Texas, March 30.
The competitive warriors who are either wounded, ill and injured competed in the air pistol-rifle prone event. “Today’s event for me was another stepping stone to overcome my injury. I trained hard and invested all of my energy and time into it,” said U.S. Army Veteran Capt. Frank Barroquiero, Gainesville, Georgia.
Barroquiero sustained an arm injury during a heavy fire fight with insurgents in Afghanistan, 2009. “We were numerically outnumbered and it was a fierce battle.” he said.
His right arm injury limits his abilities some, but by involving himself in adaptive sports such as air pistol, “It gives me a new mission to execute, just on a different level. I give back to fellow soldiers in a small but positive way by rehabilitating myself and working with other athletes.” he said.
Through hard work and determination, Barroqueiro takes home a gold medal in the air pistol and a gold medal in the rifle prone event. Taking the silver medal in the air pistol event was U.S. Army veteran Joshua Palmer and the bronze medal went to U.S. Army veteran Sgt. Billy Meeks, from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The athletes were judged and rewarded on their overall performance of the events.
Barroqueiro is no stranger to winning gold and also silver medals in the past. He has won gold and silver medals in air pistol-prone rifle events in two previous Army competitions. “While recovering from my injury a few years ago, a doctor told me that I was going to lose my arm. Two years later I received a gold medal using it in Archery and air pistol.” he said.
His determination and training proves perseverance and resiliency can be achieved by adopting adaptive sports through reconditioning. Through adaptive reconditioning, wounded warriors can focus on the Army’s holistic approach to recovery and transition out of military service. “My approach to recovery begins with me staying motivated.” said Barroqueiro.
The 2015 Army Trials represents the resilience of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans. The Army encourages all wounded warriors to recondition and focus on ability and self-improvement through adaptive sports.
Approximately 80 wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and veterans are at Fort Bliss to train and compete in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair basketball. Army Trials, March 29-April 2, are conducted by the Army Warrior Transition Command and hosted by Fort Bliss. Army trials help determine who will get a spot on the Department of Defense Warrior Games 2015 Army Team in June at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2015 17:39 |
| Story ID: | 158858 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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