ORLANDO, Fla. — The Department of Defense Warrior Games have begun, featuring hundreds of wounded, ill, and injured active-duty and veteran service members competing in adaptive sports. Some of the competitors hail from Florida.
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the adaptive sports competition, with teams from various military branches participating.
Master Sergeant Ivan Morera, injured in 2013 in Afghanistan due to a vehicle rollover, sustained a crushed left hand that required a field amputation to free him from the vehicle. This is his third year competing in the games.
“Can come out here and show what we’re capable of doing, where we focus on what we can do and not focus on what we can’t do,” said Master Sgt. Ivan Morera of the DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team SOCOM.
The Department of Defense Warrior Games, an annual event first held in 2010, celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active-duty and veteran U.S. military service members.
“Here when we come together, we become a family, we become brothers and sisters, and we just grow very, very close to each other,” Morera added.
Another Florida competitor, Abel Baez, served 18 years in the National Guard, with 14 of those on active duty. What was supposed to be a simple surgery for a knee injury turned complicated, and Baez was told he couldn’t return to active duty. He credits his team’s coaches for encouraging him to look forward.
“I went through a dark spot when they told me I was getting kicked out of the military. Speaking to them and hearing about what they went through and how this helped them out, I figured, ‘Hey, let me give it a shot. You never know,’” said Baez, who is competing for the DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Army.
The games feature about 11 adaptive sports. Baez is participating in several, including wheelchair events, and is excited to compete with his family supporting him.
“My family, my daughters right there watching me. You know, there’s not a better feeling,” Baez shared.
The event runs through June 30 in Orlando.
According to the Department of Defense, more than 200 wounded, ill, and injured warrior athletes are competing over the ten-day event.