WIESBADEN, Germany - Members of the Warrior Transition Unit at the U.S. Army Garrison here had no problem taking on the challenge of playing wheelchair basketball recently with some Defense Contract Management Agency Southern Europe personnel.
“I was able to attend my first event in July and had such a great time getting to know the WTU members and playing a very challenging game. I knew I had to get other coworkers involved,” remarked Heath Callithen, who coordinated DCMA SE’s involvement in the game.
Mark Bennington was one of the first to volunteer to join in the fun at the garrison’s fitness center.
“Man, it was fun but I hurt!” Bennington said.
Event organizers, the American Red Cross and the WTU, thanked Army Maj. Robert McDonald, Air Force Capts. Jessica Greathouse and Michael Gentry, Callithen and Bennington for participating.
“These wounded warriors are American heroes and it was an honor spending part of my day with them,” McDonald said.
DCMA SE personnel are looking forward to the next challenging game with WTU members.
“It was a great event for a great cause. Giving back to the Wounded Warriors who sacrificed so much for our country is one of the most rewarding things any of us can do,” Gentry said.
The U.S. Army established WTUs at major military treatment facilities located around the world, according to the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command. WTUs provide personal support to wounded soldiers who require rehabilitative care and complex medical management.
A WTU closely resembles a “line” Army unit, with a professional cadre and integrated Army processes. This builds on the Army’s strength of unit cohesion and teamwork so wounded soldiers can focus on healing to transition back to the Army or to civilian status.