Our 20 American active duty military and veterans have performed so magnificently at the London 2012 Paralympic Games that it has been difficult to keep up with the number of medals they have won.
As of last count, and possibly subject to revision upwards, these 20 athletes have racked up at least 11 individual and team medals — at least three of them gold.
If one were to average the medals among the athletes, it would mean that half the team won at least one medal. How is that for mettle, perseverance and just pure grit fort these magnificent men and women!
Tonight, London time, as you are reading this, the closing ceremony takes place.
And how fitting that U.S. Navy Lieutenant and blind Paralympics swimmer Brad Snyder has been selected to serve as the United States’ flag bearer for the ceremonies.
As told here, Lt. Snyder was blinded while attempting to disable an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on Sept. 7, 2011. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Snyder returned to the pool following his injury and celebrated the one year anniversary of the blast by winning the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle on Sept. 7 in London — his second Gold medal in the Games. He also won a silver medal in the men’s 50-meter freestyle swimming.
Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder is greeted by his coach, Brian Loeffler, after winning the qualifying round of the 100-meter freestyle swim during the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England, Aug. 30. DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
US Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said:
Congratulations to Brad Snyder on being named the United States flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony. As the Games come to a close in London, where the Paralympic Movement began in 1948 with wounded World War II veterans, it is especially fitting to have one of our nation’s finest service members carry the Stars and Stripes into this celebration of humanity. Last September, Brad lost his sight in an IED explosion while serving our country in Afghanistan. Now he represents our country as one of the world’s greatest swimmers. His service on the battle field has been extraordinary and I am excited he now wears the colors of our nation on the field of play.
While this mortal tries to figure out the actual number of medals won by these 20 heroes, here are some images of some of them:
U.S. Navy retired William Groulx, U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Captain, holds the ball as members of the Great Britain team try to take it during a match at the basketball arena during the London Paralympic Games, Sept. 5, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt Sean M. Worrell)
Mario Rodriguez, left, a member of the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Fencing Team, battles Russia’s Ivan Andreev during a fencing bout at London’s ExCel Centre during the Paralympic Games in London, England, Sept. 4. Rodriguez is a former U.S. Air Force staff sergeant. DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
Kari Miller, center, blue uniform, a former Army sergeant, and current member of the 2012 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Paralympics team, sets the volleyball so a teammate can prepare for a spike during a non-medal match against China at the ExCel Centre in London, Aug. 31, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
U.S. Navy retired William Groulx, U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Captain, falls after a member of the Great Britain team crashes into him during a match at the basketball arena during the London Paralympic Games, Sept. 5, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt Sean M. Worrell)
Members of the 2012 U.S. Paralympic basketball team warm up before a scrimmage with Great Britain’s paralympic team at the University of East London’s campus facility, the Sports Dock, in London, England, Aug. 29. DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
A final report when the gold and silver dust settles.
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.