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Wounded warriors gather at Bliss for Army Trials

El Paso Times - 4/6/2017

April 06--Wounded, injured and ill soldiers and veterans from all over the Army gathered at Fort Bliss this week and are competing in the Army Trials.

The weeklong event is being used to determine the Army's team for the upcoming Warrior Games which will be held June 30 to July 8 in Chicago.

About 70 wounded warriors and veterans are competing in track and field, cycling, archery, shooting, swimming, wheelchair basketball and seated volleyball.

It is the third straight year the Army Trials are being held at Fort Bliss.

These athletes say that participating in adaptive sports has given them a new chapter in their lives and a way forward after suffering their wound, injury or illness, whatever their particular medical issue may be.

"For those of us who have been very active in sports, to be told you can't do certain things, adaptive sports give you a new lease on life," said retired Sgt. 1st Class David Iuli, who is representing Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., at the Army Trials.

Check out photos from last year's event:

"It helps channel all your energy into the event and sport you are doing," said Iuli, who is originally from Samoa, but now considers Tacoma, Wash., to be home. "It helps get the competitive juices flowing and gives a lot of people something to look forward to."

Iuli has a heart condition, suffers from post-traumatic stress, has had his knees replaced and has suffered a whole slew of other injuries from the normal wear and tear of a 20-plus-year Army career.

He estimates he has run more than 20,000 miles during his career.

"It is more miles than a body is supposed to be running," he said.

Participating in the Army Trials also gives you a sense of camaraderie from being around other soldiers and veterans who have suffered similar injuries, he said.

"I love it out here; the spirit of the people competing here is awesome," Iuli said.

Lt. Col. Luis Fregoso is one of the event organizers with the Warrior Care and Transition Program out of Arlington, Va. This Army organization oversees the most complex cases of wounded, injured and ill soldiers across the Army.

"You can't help but be inspired and look at your life a bit differently when you see the great things these athletes are doing," said Fregoso, who is from Los Angeles.

Fort Bliss is being widely praised for its sports facilities and the support it is lending to the Army Trails.

"Having done this several times, they know what they are doing and it is like on cruise control," Fregoso said.

Look for more coverage of the Army Trials in print and online

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(c)2017 the El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas)

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