PAGE 18 WINGSPREADMAY 21, 2010SPORTS - HEALTH - FITNESSWarrior Games closing marks new beginningBy Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. CardenAmerican Forces Press ServiceCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 2010Warrior Games may have ended May 14,but for the wounded warriors who competedhere this week, their work is just beginning,officials hope.“You’ve just completed a rigorous test ofyour physical and mental skills, your strengthand endurance,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen,chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told theathletes in a video message aired during theclosing ceremony. “But now is no time to rest.I’d like you to take what you’ve done here,what you’ve learned here and continue toserve as role models for others striving to findthe independence they need.”The competition formally ended in theevening at the Air Force Academy in a ceremonyhonoring the nearly 200 woundedwarriors and disabled veterans who representedtheir services in the inauguralWarrior Games.The troops competed in a week-longseries of Paralympic-type events at the U.S.Olympic Training Center and at theAcademy. They were challenged as individualsand in teams in shooting, swimming,archery, sitting volleyball, cycling, wheelchairbasketball and track and field events.Each athlete was selected by his or herservice to compete because of the progresshe or she made using adaptive sports as amethod of rehabilitation. Their willingnessto participate in the games and ability toovercome adversity can inspire others to dothe same, Admiral Mullen said.“You’ve demonstrated how physical fitnesscan help heal the mind, body and soul,” theadmiral added. “That’s a message worth sharing,and yours is a story worth telling.”Admiral Mullen lauded the troops for theiraccomplishments, but reminded them thatother wounded warriors need their help.That means helping wounded troopsunderstand how to properly heal themselvesand find closure in their injuries, Gen. VictorRenuart Jr., commander of U.S. NorthernCommand and North American AerospaceDefense Command, told the troops. GeneralRenuart, who has led the commands forthree years from their headquarters atPeterson Air Force Base, Colo., is retiringfrom the position next week.Overcoming adversity is more thansimply healing physical wounds, GeneralRenuart said. It involves accepting newchallenges and taking risks, pushing thePhoto by Staff Sgt. Desiree N. PalaciosTeam Air Force throws their hands in for a quick cheer before playing the wheelchair basketball bronzemedal match against the Navy team during the Warrior Games May 12 at the Olympic Training Centerin Colorado Springs, Colo. The Air Force went on to win the game 13-10.limits of your disabilities.“Healing is an interesting situation a persongoes through,” he said. “Certainly, healing isabout recovering from an injury or recoveringfrom an illness, but healing is also about findinghow much you can push yourself.“There was a lot of healing going on thisweek, and a little bit of fun, too,” he added.General Renuart recalled some of the actionhe watched during the week. The competitionswere hard fought and filled with all the spiritand aggressiveness officials had hoped for inthe games, he said.“Certainly, there were teams out therefighting for their colors, but I notice in everycircumstance, when the competition ended,there were arms around each other,”General Renuart said. “It was about how wecompeted as a team.”General Renuart presented the Chairman’sCup to the Marine Corps team on behalf ofAdmiral Mullen. The honor is bestowed on theteam with the most points at the end of theweek based on medal count.Retired Marine Lance Cpl. Chuck Sketchaccepted the award for his team. TheMarines elected him as their captain beforethe competition.Corporal Sketch lost his sight in August 1997from a brain tumor, and then had to be amputatedfrom the waist down in January 1998due to complications from the same tumor.He competed in swimming events during thecompetition, and had the time of his life.“Winning the Chairman’s Cup is great,”Corporal Sketch said. “I cannot wait untilnext year.”The games’ top individual honor, theUltimate Champion award, went to Navy PettyOfficer 1st Class Daniel Hathorn, a naval specialwarfare boat operator who was hit by atruck driven by a local national during anoverseas deployment last year. He nudged outArmy Pfc. Robert Nuss by a single point.Petty Officer Hathorn won gold in the 50-meter freestyle and the 1,500-meter track. Healso won a bronze as part of the Navy’s 200-meter relay swim.“This is incredible,” he said of his award.“There are so many great athletes in this roomwho’ve performed on a number of differentlevels, and to be holding this is an honor.”Petty Officer Hathorn reflected on the pastyear since his injury. It’s almost unbelievable,he said, to be performing in such a way aftersuffering several broken bones on the left sideof his body. He also had two collapsed lungs.He doesn’t have the use of his left arm andhand, either, he said.The games are a joint venture of theDefense Department, the U.S. OlympicCommittee and the USO.SportsBRIEFSMini-biathlonA mini-biathlon takesplace Saturday at 7:30a.m. at Eberle Park. Theevent starts with a 10-mile bike ride followed bya 5K run.Children are welcometo participate in the children’smini-biathlonevents of a 3-mile bikeride and 1-mile run.Golf tournamentThe Randolph Oaks GolfCourse hosts a golf tournamentMay 28 at 7:30 a.m.in honor of Chief MasterSgt. Vance Clark’s retirementas Air ForceRecruiting Service commandchief. The cost is $35per person and includesgolf and lunch.All proceeds will benefitthe Recruiters AlumniAssociation’s effort to builda monument in AirmanHeritage Park.To register, e-mailMaster Sgt. Chris Tomberlinat christopher.tomberlin@us.af.mil.Junior golf clinicRandolph Oaks GolfCourse is conducting aJunior Golf Clinic for youth,ages 8-14, June 14-18 from8 a.m. to noon each day. Thecost is $50 for youth withclubs or $125 for youth thatneed clubs. Call Clay at652-4653 for details.Women’s leagueThose interested in playingin a Women’s 9-HoleGolf League on Tuesdays at5:30 p.m. can call TroyGann at 652-4653.
MAY 21, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 19Second Annual Military City USA 5K Run/WalkThe 32nd Medical Brigade is hosting the secondannual Military City USA 5K Run/Walk Saturday at FortSam Houston’s MacArthur Parade Field. Check in isfrom 6-7:15 a.m.The event is designed to draw individual runners inthe <strong>San</strong> <strong>Antonio</strong> area and teams from all branches ofthe armed forces for camaraderie and spirited competition.The Military City USA 5K Run/Walk targets theparticipation of all commands throughout theDepartment of Defense.The race offers many ways to participate. Alongwith the traditional 5K race / fun run or walk, therewill be team events and prizes awarded for style andesprit de corps. The event also features food booths,a live band and a DJ.For race information, call John Purnell at 385-8248or e-mail runaway_club@yahoo.com for a registrationform. For teams information, call Capt. Lovie Mathisat 221-5285, 221-3510 or e-mail Captain Mathis atlovie.mathis@us.army.mil.The Randolph Air Force Base Rambler Fitness Center Memorial Dayhours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details on classes, call 652-2955.
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