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Wounded, ill and injured service member’s from the Marine Corps, Army, Navy/Coast Guard and Special Operations Command showcased their athletic abilities during a heated seated volleyball scrimmage match against Prince Harry and the British team here yesterday.
Representing the Marine Warrior Games team was Pfc. Artem Lazukin, from Clackamas, Ore., and Cpl. Jorge Salazar, from Delano, Calif. The match kicked off the 2013 Warrior Games held May 11-16 at the Olympic Training Center and Air Force Academy here.
“The Warrior Games foster healthy competition between all branches of military service, both national and international,” said Jennifer Sullivan, the Wounded Warrior Regiment’s Warrior Athlete Reconditioning program manager. “Competitors have an opportunity to fine-tune their athletic skills, strengthen their bodies and support each other through the recovery process.”
The volleyball match is just one avenue that raises awareness of the amazing accomplishments wounded, ill and injured service members are making throughout their recovery. It is also an opportunity to get the community roused about the Warrior Games.
“I am really excited to represent the Marine Corps at the Warrior Games,” Lazukin said. “I am confident we will [do great] because all of our athletes are dedicated.”
Lazukin, who was injured on June 22, 2011 while serving with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, will compete in sitting volleyball and shooting.
“I ended up stepping on a 13-pound improvised explosive device in Afghanistan's Helmand province,” Lazukin said. “The Warrior Games help veterans and active duty [service members]get involved in a sport they like, meet new people and reintegrate to a normal life.”
Lazukin and the 49 other athletes on his team felt a sense of camaraderie at last night’s match as Commandant of the Marine Corps General James F. Amos and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett attended the scrimmage. When asked what the best part of his day was, Lazukin answered, “The Silent Drill Platoon.”
The 2013 Warrior Games seated volleyball competition is open to male and female service members. Categories include upper body impairment, lower body impairment, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Throughout the week, athletes will have an opportunity to compete in volleyball, wheelchair basketball, shooting, swimming, cycling, track and field, and archery.
“As long as you have the desire to do something you can do anything, no matter the injury,” Lazukin said.
For more information about the Wounded Warrior Regiment or the All-Marine Warrior Games team, go to woundedwarriorregiment.org, www.facebook.com/wwr.usmc or call the Sgt. Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center at 1-877-487-6299.
Story by Aquita Brown, Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2025 12:05 |
| Story ID: | 508248 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 0 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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