FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
"I am a Warrior in Transition. My job is to heal as I transition back to duty, or continue serving the nation as a veteran in my community. This is not a status, but a mission. I will succeed in this mission because I am a warrior and I am Army strong."
This is the Army's creed for transitioning warriors. As these Soldiers focus on their reconditioning efforts and the possibility of returning to full duty, they rely on the care and support they receive from the Warrior Transition Unit here at McDonald Army Health Center.
The mission of the WTU is to provide command and control, primary care and case management for Soldiers in transition to establish the conditions for their healing and to promote their timely return to the force or transition to civilian life. It is comprised of proud, dedicated professionals who remain committed to helping wounded, ill and injured Soldiers through their healing process.
One such individual is U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class William Lassiter, a WTU cadre. Also a platoon sergeant and the Adaptive Sports Coordinator, Lassiter was chiefly responsible for organizing the "Adaptive Sports Day" recently held at the McClellan Fitness Center. In addition to planning a fun-filled event, Lassiter said the significance of hosting such an event was to boost unit morale and raise the competitiveness of the WTU Soldiers.
"My goal was to ensure that wounded Soldiers knew that there were alternative sporting events that could be adapted to their injuries. I also wanted them to know that in spite of their injuries, they can still compete at company and higher levels with practice," said Lassiter, who noted that even more Soldiers would have come out had they not been pulled away by mandatory medical appointments.
The Adaptive Sports Day attracted 34 participants and featured two competitive sports - sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball. Lassiter divided the participants into four teams - HQ, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd platoons, respectively. Along with assistance from his fellow cadre, Lassiter then organized the competition into a single-elimination tournament, developing the teams and brackets while using a scoring system that favored each team - win or lose. The points earned in the morning were added to the points accumulated in the afternoon. The team with the most points at the end of the day was declared the winner.
From the facial expressions of those who participated in these two adaptive sports events, it was clear that it was much harder and more physically demanding than one would ordinarily think. Yet, fun was had by all who participated, and watched.
"It seemed like everyone that participated had a good time. Some family members got to spend the day with their spouses and cheer for mom or dad. This was a great morale booster, and it helped build esprit de corps," said Capt. J. Travis Robinette, WTU company commander.
The participants started the day playing sitting volleyball. In this game, the net was lowered to the floor, and players were only allowed to serve and volley the ball from a seated position. At no time were the players permitted to rise from the floor to hit the ball.
Following lunch at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center,, the participants returned to the fitness center in the afternoon to test their agility, stamina, and of course, shooting skills in four full-court, wheelchair basketball games. While some of the participants proved to be better than others at this sport, it proved to be just as challenging as the volleyball matches. As the players wheeled themselves back and forth across the distance of the basketball court, many crashed into one another or fell backward onto the court while either attempting to make a pass or score a basket.
Despite the bumps and bruises, this event was deemed an overall success. In addition to the family members who came out as spectators, the sports day was supported by such organizations as the McClellan Fitness Center, U.S. Paralympics, S-FAC, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Along with additional support from several nurse case managers, Frank Howard, WTU ombudsman, was pleased to have in attendance Pamela Lehnert of the National Rehabilitation Hospital Paralympic Military Program, and Dr. Lorene Petta, the unit's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness-Performance and Resilient Enhancement Program instructor, who traveled here from Fort Bragg, NC. The event's overall success, however, was credited to Lassiter for hosting the event, and ensuring it was well-organized.
"The event created team unity and cohesion that was evident by the competitiveness. It allowed Soldiers with injuries to forget about their injuries for a short time and allowed them to become part of a sports team," said Lassiter, who looks forward to coordinating more events. "I've had soldiers ask when the next event will be, and what the sporting events will be so they can prepare."
The Adaptive Sports Day is a "good lead-in" for the annual Warrior Games held each Spring in Colorado Springs, Colo., according to. Lehnert, a program coordinator for the U.S. Paralympics. Although this event was not planned as a qualifier or selection clinic for the Warrior Games, Lehnert said sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball events are two of the sports played during the Warrior Games' competition.
She added that these events are quite intense, and the stands are usually filled with huge crowds of screaming fans. Other sports hosted during Warrior Games include archery, cycling, shooting, swimming, and track and field.
From the smiles displayed and interest shown to host more events like this, the WTU commander believes the best is yet to come. He could see an immediate rise in the competitive spirit of his unit, as each team pushed its opponent to the limit in both events. In this first outing, 2nd Platoon claimed victory by accumulating the most points.
Upon accepting the WTU Adaptive Sports Competition Commanders Cup, the platoon selected star player Lauren Birdsong as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
"Competition has arisen between platoons, which has generated excitement for the next quarterly Adaptive Sports Day," Robinette said. "The long term vision is to be a sustainable event which will enhance each and every member of the company, Soldiers, cadre, and staff alike."