Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America

By C. Todd LopezSeptember 14, 2012

Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Navy Paralympian proud to be back in uniform representing America
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 14, 2012) -- Brad Snyder, a triple medalist in swimming in the recently concluded 2012 Paralympic games in London, was in Washington, Sept. 14, along most of the rest of Team USA, to meet with President Obama at the White House.

A Navy lieutenant who earned his commission at the U.S. Naval Academy, Snyder was injured in 2011 by an IED. The injury left him blinded. But that didn't stop him from medaling at the Warrior Games in May. It didn't stop him from earning two gold medals and a silver swimming in London during the Paralympic games.

Snyder was also honored to carry the American flag during the closing ceremonies of the Paralympic games. Both he and flag bearer Mariel Zagunis, the Olympic fencer who carried the flag in during the Olympic opening ceremonies of the Olympic games, brought that flag back home to the White House and presented it to President Obama.

"I was thinking about it in retrospect," Snyder said. "The toughest aspect of my recovery over the last year was the idea that my service was taken away from me. To be able to throw on this new uniform, represent Team USA, and get back out there and continue to serve and ... get back in the fight, was amazing for my family... I'm really glad to be the one to represent Team USA to bring that flag home to you, our president, it's really a privilege."

The United States sent 530 athletes to the Olympics in London, and another 216 to the Paralympics. Many of those were at the White House, standing behind President Barack Obama, Sept. 14, to hear him pass on to them the gratitude of Americans, and to convey to them his pride and the pride of all Americans.

"What you guys did is inspire us," Obama said. "You made us proud. As president, you made me especially proud to see how you conduct yourself on a world stage. You could not have been better ambassadors and better representatives for the United States and what we stand for."

The president said that watching the Olympics and seeing who America sends to the games allows the citizens of other nations to see the diversity of the United States.

"One of the great things about watching our Olympics is [you] are a portrait of what this country is all about," he said. "People from every walk of life, every background, every faith; it sends a message to the world about what makes America special. It speaks to the character of this group, how you guys carried yourselves. And it's even more impressive when you think about the obstacles that many of you have overcome."

The president said he recently visited the Olympic training facility in Colorado and witnessed athletes there preparing for both the next winter and summer Olympic games. He said that it impressed upon him the effort that goes into preparing for the competition.

"It was just amazing to see not only how hard people were training, but also to hear how much you guys get to eat," the President said, getting laughs from the crowd. "I hope that all of you guys get some well-deserved time off over the next few months. But I know that pretty soon many of you will be back in the gym or on the track or in the pool, thinking about Rio, because the Olympics is not just about what happens on the big stage, in front of the cameras when the world is watching; it's about what happens when nobody is watching. And that's what really counts."

Before leaving the podium, to shake the hands with every athlete that attended the ceremony -- an effort the president acknowledged would make him late for his next engagement -- he thanked the athletes for what they had done.

"So thank you for being such great role models, especially for our young people, we could not be prouder of you," he said. "You gave us a summer we will never forget."

Related Links:

Shooter Szarenski takes business-like approach to his fourth Olympics

Marine boxer hopes unique style will garner Olympic gold

First Lady brings 'Let's Move' to London Games

Two-time Army Olympian teaches race walking on Today Show

Jitters get best of Uptagrafft in Olympic pistol debut

Army spouse competes in first medal event of London Olympics

Military athletes march in London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony

Hancock set for golden repeat in Olympic skeet

Hancock first Olympic champion to repeat in men's skeet

Marine Sgt. Herring eliminated from Olympic boxing tourney

Army spouse comes up short in Olympic pistol event

Double trap shooters ambushed in London

Kelsey finishes fourth in Olympic fencing

Army wife Gray wins Olympic gold in 3-positions

Two Army marksmen miss medal round by millimeters

Soldier watches wife win gold from across pond

Szarenski closes out Olympic career

London Games leave Mango dreaming about

Byers' Greco-Roman Olympic day ends

Parker misses mark in Olympic shooting finale

Lester finishes eighth in Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling

Soldiers brief British youth at Windsor Castle

DeLoach takes bronze in Olympic long jump

Nunn finishes 43rd in Olympic 50-k race walk

Bowsher finishes 32nd in Olympic modern

Military athletes at London Games enjoy Army Family support

U.S. military athletes leave mark on London Olympics

Olson ready to make Paralympic history

Paralympians complete preparations in London

Army gold medalist Hancock to visit White House with U.S. Olympic team

Paralympic basketball team ready to compete

Paralympic Games motivate U.S. wounded warriors

Former Army cadet wins Paralympic silver

Army Paralympic shooter helps pioneer prosthesis

U.S Army Olympians and Paralympians

Remarks by the President and the First Lady Welcoming the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams