This press release has been updated to correct the omission of Veteran Ryan Major, a member of Team Army for the 2017 Department of Defense Warrior Games. We apologize for the error.
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA. - The U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition has selected 40 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and veterans to represent Team Army at the 2017 Department of Defense Warrior Games June 30 - July 8 in Chicago, Illinois. These men and women will compete against teams from the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command in eight sports: archery, cycling, sitting volleyball, shooting, swimming, wheelchair basketball, track and field.
Established in 2010, the Warrior Games were developed to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of our nation's wounded, ill, and injured service men and women as they return to duty or transition to the civilian world.
"The DoD Warrior Games represent our continued commitment to serving our wounded, ill and injured and show the strength and resilience of our army athletes," said Col. Matthew St Laurent, Deputy Chief of Staff, Warrior Care Transition. "Participating in adaptive reconditioning sports helps our service men and women continue to overcome their adversities and prove to our nation and themselves that they remain resilient."
More than 250 active-duty service members and veterans are expected to compete at this year's Warrior Games. For members of Team Army, Col. St Laurent sees the experience as not only a competition, but a way to build on skills and techniques that are taught as part of the Army's Warrior Care and Transition Program.
"The Games are a platform to embody the spiritual, emotional, physical, family, social interactions, and one's goals and pursuits to preserve purpose and meaning in life. These are things we focus on as part of the WCTP," St Laurent said. "Yes, our athletes want to win medals, but they will also win by developing skill sets, helping a fellow warrior, and building a network of friends and family."
The Soldiers and veterans who will represent Team Army at the 2017 DoD Warrior Games are:
Team Army 2017
Veteran Jhoonar Barrera
Spc. Andrew Bell
Spc. Mitchell Bombeck
Master Sgt. Jovan, Bowser
Sgt. Harvey Boyd
Pfc. Dylan Coleman
Sgt. David Crook
Col. Danny Dudek
Veteran Brandi Evans
Spc. Maria Garcia
Veteran Christy Gardner
Veteran Armando Gonzales
Veteran Megan Grudziniski
Sgt. Patrick Haney
Sgt. 1st Class Richard Hastings
Veteran Randi Hobson
Veteran David Iuli
Staff Sgt. Altermese Kendrick
Veteran Jodi Lemons
Veteran Ryan Major
Col. Michael Malone
Spc. Jay Marquiss
Veteran Robert Mathews
Sgt. Christopher McGinnis
Staff Sgt. Marcus Menchaca
Sgt. 1st Class Heather Moran
Spc. Stephanie Morris
Command Sgt. Maj. Oscar Mullinax
Staff Sgt. Daniel Ohlinger
Maj. James Pradke
Veteran Greg Quarles
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Roberts III
Staff Sgt. Rachel Salemink
Veteran Michelle Sanchez
Capt. Nathan Schaffield
Veteran David Snypes Jr.
Veteran Michael Stephens
Veteran Patrick Timmins
Veteran Jarred Vaina
Veteran Shawn Vosburg
For the latest news about the DoD Warrior Games visit www.wct.army.mil and follow at www.facebook.com/armywct and www.twitter.com/armywct.
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