TORONTO-- Field artillerymen rarely get to see their target when a fire mission is sent to be executed. The gun line is located miles from the enemy and it requires precise teamwork to defeat a target you cannot see. First time Invictus Games warrior-athlete, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Mike Nicholson will get to see all of his opponents when he rolls to the starting line during the racing wheelchair events, beginning September 24, at York Lions Stadium, Toronto, Canada.
Field Artillerymen are a special breed of service member. "Yeah, I was a 'gun bunny,' (in the Marine Corps)," said Nicholson. 'Gun bunny' is a nickname common to field artillerymen that means cannon crewmember. It is a military specialty that requires skill to have the ability to make quick decisions and to be capable of being a good team member. You also have to be physically fit. Nicholson has exceeded the requirements to be a cannon crewmember and those skills fit perfectly to be on Team U.S. for the Invictus Games.
Invictus Games is an international, Paralympic-style competition consisting of 12 events. This year marks the 3rd edition of the games with a record 17 nations and over 550 athletes competing. The games were conceived by Prince Harry of Wales. They were established in 2014 for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans around the world to compete in adaptive sports.
Adaptive sports and reconditioning activities help enable healing through a holistic approach throughout the recovery and reintegration process: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and most importantly socially as service members and veterans share and learn through their common experiences. "I got involved (in adaptive sports) as a spectator in Orlando at last year's Invictus Games," said Nicholson. "I met with some of the people from the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, and ever since then I've been training to get here."
The games also offer a special benefit to participants. A first-time participant, Nicholson explained what being here in Toronto with his teammates means to him. "Just to be able to put on the uniform with USA across the back is pretty surreal," he said. "It's an honor to be able to compete."
With 16 other nations involved, the commonalities of the competitors create a special bond. "It's really great to see everybody with all the different skill levels out here," said Nicholson. "The countries are helping one another out. We just gave some gloves to another team for them to use. That's what it's all about. It's about the comradery. No matter what country you're from, we're all on one team."
For service members and veterans who have never participated in adaptive sports before, Nicholson encourages them to go out and try it. "You'll be amazed at what it can do for you."
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