U.S. Army retired Capt. Alex Wilson takes a shot during a wheelchair basketball preliminary game, June 24, 2019, at The Tampa Convention Center during the 2019 Department of Defense Warrior Games. The DoD Warrior Games are being are conducted June 21...

Competing and medals and baby - Oh my!

By MaryTherese Griffin, Army Warrior Care and Transition

TAMPA Fla. -- U.S. Army retired Capt. Alex Wilson is a man of few words. And that's okay because he is a man of many talents which is helping Team Army at the Department of Defense 2019 Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida. The 6'5" former Chemical Officer is stoked about participating in Warrior Games for the second year in a row. Wilson is competing in archery, field, track, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby. He says being here is more than for the love of sports.

"I think the biggest thing for me is just being part of a team again - that camaraderie, that feeling of belonging because that's something I've been missing for a while."

Wilson explains that after being injured as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device in Iraq in May of 2007, resulting in the amputation of his left leg, having an opportunity like this years later is life changing.

"Coming here, and I heard everyone cheering for me even when I wasn't doing that well but especially in the gold medal round, they were chanting my name and it felt really good," he said. Wilson won a silver and bronze medal in archery on Tuesday, a sport he says was not on his radar. "I literally never shot at archery until January of 2018. I think at one time on vacation I tried it but I didn't shoot or train at all until I was training for the Warrior Games last year. I picked up the bow in November, shot once or twice in December and then the Army trained me with the help of three great coaches!"

The Warrior Games were not around when Wilson was going through recovery. He applauds the opportunity now because he says it gives wounded, injured and ill service members hope.

"I think for a lot of people, it is competing and being that athlete again - going from being injured and not sure if you are going to recover and what is going to happen to you - coming here and competing and winning medals is just a good feeling," 'Wilson said.

Wilson has his sights set on more medals for Team Army and a little something else when he gets home.

"I am also expecting a baby next week; baby Alaura is coming, so two medals at Warrior Games so far and a baby with my wife? It doesn't get any better than that."