Photo By Sgt. Tescia Mims | Participants of the Army Trials get a group photo taken during the opening ceremony at...... read more read more
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Finding their “bliss”
By MaryTherese Griffin, Warrior Care and Transition
FORT BLISS, Texas - Soldiers and veterans came from all areas of the country Saturday and Sunday…to find their sporting bliss…in El Paso, Texas. Ft. Bliss is the home of the 2018 Army Trials, the prelude to the Department of Defense Warrior Games at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. in June. Representing the Army is utopia for these wounded, ill and injured Soldiers who are making their comeback competing in rowing, cycling, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, track, field, swimming, archery and shooting.
Maj. Christina Truesdale suffered a tethered spinal cord from years of parachuting in the Army…she is pumped to compete in cycling. “For me it would be a HUGE testament for the transformation I’ve been through….I DID NOT QUIT!!! This has been so crucial to my recovery because when you get knocked down physically it affects you mentally …this helps tremendously, “said Truesdale.
From traumatic brain injuries, to disease and even loss of limb…Command Sgt. Maj. Mathew Unger welcomed them all with words as strong in voice as only a CSM could make. “I don’t see your defects, your injury, your disability and nor does this staff or any WTU, it doesn’t matter,” said Unger.
“We look at you as a Soldier, we look at you as a human being, we look at you as a mother, a father, a son, and a daughter, it doesn’t matter… so bring your A game,” he added.
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Henao, tore his knee and shoulder ligaments on a deployment to the Middle East and never thought he would end up in a Warrior Transition Unit, much less competing to represent the Army at Warrior Games.
“I taught the Cadre Course at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School at Ft. Sam Houston so how ironic I ended up at Ft. Sam Houston WTU!! Knowing that I could be involved in adaptive reconditioning motivated me so much. I grew up more as a soccer player but playing a sport that I was unfamiliar with and now able to compete in at the games is awesome,” said Henao.
These Soldiers and veterans have more than the job of competing to bring home the gold for Team Army. Executive Director, Warrior Care and Transition Thomas Webb encouraged carrying the torch of WCT even further.
“Once you’re done here, tell your story…some of you will go back to the WTU, some of you Veterans will go back to your home town community, there’s somebody back there right now who doesn’t think they have the desire or the capability to do what you’re doing right now. You can be that ambassador to convince them that they can,” said Webb.
Yes…they too can find their bliss. Just ask a Soldier.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2018 11:13 |
| Story ID: | 267517 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 237 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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