FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- As a purple heart recipient, Cpl. Michael Pride hasn't let his injury hold him back from doing the things he loves -- being a Marine and running track.
Pride is an instructor for the Motor Transport Instruction Company, Marine Corps Detachment, where he is more commonly known as "Coach" around the motor pool. He came to Fort Leonard Wood from the Wounded Warrior Battalion in California.
In September 2008, an improvised explosive device hit Pride's Humvee outside Bakwa in the Farah Province of Afghanistan.
"My vehicle rolled on my left arm, crushing it," Pride said.
During his recovery, Pride participated in the inaugural Warrior Games.
"I was one the first athletes selected to represent the Marine Corps in the Warrior Games," Pride said.
The Warrior Games was created in 2010 as an introduction to the U.S. Olympic Committee's Paralympic sports for injured service members and veterans.
Pride's love for running goes back to his high school track team days.
"With my injury, I didn't know if I still had it. When they asked me to compete, I said no. I didn't think I could compete at a high level, but I gave it a try," Pride said.
Pride won two track medals that year. He said both of them are in honor of his platoon sergeant, Sgt. Jerome Bell Jr., who died in the IED attack.
"When I run, I wear a bracelet with his name on it," Pride said.
Pride said the Warrior Games aren't just about overcoming his physical injury; the competition has helped him deal with emotional scars as well.
"At first, I just wanted to be by myself. This program helped me. It's helping members of all services, not just Marines," Pride said. "Some guys that have severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to the point to where they don't even want to be around people ... when they get out there and they are giving interviews and high-fiving other people, it helps. Here I am now, back in the Fleet Marine Force, training students."
Even though Pride isn't in the Wounded Warrior Battalion anymore, he hasn't forgotten about the Warrior Games. He spent a week in February at Camp Pendleton, Calif., coaching track for Wounded Warriors during the Marine Corps Trials. Pride said he is excited to help the Corps defend its title as the Chairman's Cup winner.
According to the U.S. Olympic Committee, more than 200 wounded service members and veterans are expected to compete in 2012.
"We are excited to welcome our service members and veterans back to Colorado Springs for the third annual competition," said Scott Blackmun, U.S. Olympic Committee CEO.
"These games truly exemplify the fighting spirit within each and every one of these athletes, all who have sacrificed for our great country."
Eligible athletes are drawn proportionately from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard based on their disability. The Warrior Games have seven events: archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair basketball.
"The Wounded Warrior tradition is to keep people active," Pride said.
As a competitor, Pride had Olympic athletes as coaches, but as an active-duty Marine and Purple Heart recipient, he said the Marines expect even more from him.
"I can understand where they are coming from on a personal level," Pride said.
When Pride isn't coaching track, he is teaching Marines on post to be motor transportation operators. Gunnery Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez, Delta Team leader, Motor Transportation Instruction Company said he is happy to have Pride in his company.
"This Marine is awesome. After all he has gone through, he is still in our Corps and now he is here mentoring, teaching and training the future of Motor-T," Rodriguez-Chavez said.
Pride is hoping to make it to the Warrior Games this year April 30 to May 5.
For more information about the Warrior Games, visit http://usparalympics.org/military-and-veteran-programs/warrior-games-presented-by-deloitte.
Social Sharing