As mentioned in Part I, the Annual Warrior Games — an “Olympic-style spectacle” — where our warrior-athletes compete in a wide variety of games of skill “not too different from the ‘arts of war,’” concluded on June 28 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
Acknowledging that these warriors need and receive a lot of support, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said during closing ceremonies at Quantico:
I want to salute the family members, the loved ones, the friends, the coaches, the medical professionals, and the caregivers – both professional and volunteer, human and canine – who have stood alongside these brave warriors through their recovery process.
Below is some of that support.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Clayton McDaniels’ son receives a gold medal on behalf of his father whose team won the wheelchair basketball championship game at the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 23, 2015
Senior Airman Kevin O’Brien smiles as his mother, Betty, kisses his cheek during the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games June 24, 2015, at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. O’Brien survived complications caused by a brain tumor in order to compete and represent the Air Force in the pistol and track and field events. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
And from their buddies:
Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Smith, left, walks of the track after finishing his race with the help of Army staff member Paul Trujillo during the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 28, 2015.
A score of photographs are not sufficient to illustrate the bravery and fighting spirit — in more ways than one — of our warrior-athletes. However, these additional photos may help round out that image and continue to be an inspiration to us all.
As in the previous “showcase,” all photos and captions are by the Military Services.
To learn more about the Warrior Games, please click here.
Retired Staff Sgt. Daniel Crane, an Air Force wounded warrior athlete, competes in the shot put at the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., June 23, 2015. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.
Staff Sgt. Rey Edenfield (far right), an Air Force wounded warrior athlete, sprints toward the finish line with fellow competitors at the 2015 Department Of Defense Warrior Games at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., June 23, 2015. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
Christy Wise, an Air Force wounded warrior athlete, competes in the wheelchair 100-yard dash during the 2015 Department Of Defense Warrior Games at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., June 23, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Hailey Haux)
Army athletes and fans cheer as Army takes the lead in the sitting volleyball gold medal match against Team Air Force during the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 28, 2015. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jamill Ford
Members of Army and Air Force teams compete in the sitting volleyball gold medal match during the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 28, 2015. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elisha N. Peake
Retired Petty Officer 3rd Class Redmond Ramos Redmond Ramos finishes his lap as retired Navy Airman Brett Parks begins his during the men’s relay in the swimming competition at Freedom Aquatics Center. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Rob Kunzig)
Lead photo: Marine Corps veteran Gabriel Graves-Wake participates in the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games track competition on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 28, 2015. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ashley Cano
Edited to add photo “with help from their buddies.”
