Cmdr. Robert Fry participates in the men’s 800-meter run for Team Navy during the 2019 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the University of South Florida, June 22. Team Navy is comprised of athletes from Navy Wounded Warrior-Safe Harbor, the Navy’s sole organization for coordinating the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, providing resources and support to their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kody A. Phillips/Released)

Special Features

2019 Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida
Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Tyrell Morris, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

Team Navy kicked off the 2019 Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games competing alongside 40 Navy and Coast Guardsmen, who advanced to the DoD level in March as part of the Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor (NWW-SH) program. NWW-SH provides individually tailored assistance designed to optimize recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration activities.

“I am extremely proud of Navy Wounded Warrior- Safe Harbor,” said Vice Adm. Mary M. Jackson, Commander Navy Installations Command. “Our team works very, very hard to assist our Sailors and Coast Guardsmen and women who are navigating the uncertain and often cumbersome path of being wounded, ill or injured.”

NWW-SH is solely responsible for coordinating the non-medical care for Sailors and Coast Guardsmen and providing resources and support to their families and caregivers.

“It is a special honor to see these service members strive against competition and adversity. They truly exhibit the character and courage the services demand,” said Hon. Greg Slavonic, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

Team Navy joins approximately 300 service members from the other branches of the U.S. military, as well as the United Kingdom Armed Forces, Australia Defence Force, Armed Forces of the Netherlands, Canadian Armed Forces and the Danish Armed Forces. 

“Warrior Games brings together folks with different disabilities and it gives us the opportunity to look at the strength we all have because there is one common goal to move on and try things we’ve never done before,” said Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, Team Navy rookie.

Since 2010, the Warrior Games have introduced wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans to Paralympic-style sports, including golf, which is a new competition this year. 

“Adaptive sports and the Warrior Games are some of the many resources available to our wounded warriors,” said Jackson. “It is absolutely inspiring and impressive to see these athletes compete and to watch the team building and energy they get from each other. I firmly believe that coming to watch these warriors is a life-changing experience.” 

Source: dvidshub.net

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