Sergeant First Class Landon Ranker, a wounded warrior himself and now Non Commissioned Officer In Charge of Adaptive Sports, explained that the process of initiating adaptive sports in the WTB has become a big part of the recovery. A primary focus is to show soldiers what they can do and not focus on what they cannot do.
“They start seeing what they can do instead of focusing on their injuries,” Ranker said about soldiers in the WTB.
The adaptive sports on Fort Campbell reach beyond just injured soldiers. In a partnership with Clarksville Parks and Recreation the transition battalion uses facilities for sports therapy at the Indoor Aquatic Center and the Kleeman Community Center on Cunningham lane. During some of the activities the soldiers engage, disabled children witness first hand adult men and women struggling and overcoming their own disabilities. The NCOIC said the Kleeman center has really helped our program a lot.
“It’s an area that we’re still new to,” explained Ranker, “When our soldiers show up and start getting in the wheelchairs and prep and everything you can tell their watching and paying close attention.”
The program shows the soldiers they can still participate in life. The programs may have to be adapted to the injury, but starting out simple they build to activities that challenge fully able soldiers Ranker explained.
The Warrior Games, according to SFC Ranker, are highly competitive. The Sergeant explained that in the past few years the Marines have been taking over-all top place in the competition. This year the Army wants to change that.
“Next week all four of us are going to leave for Walter Reed,” Ranker said. From there, the Army will be more selective of the athletes they choose for competition.
The Sergeant said that the 101st is always represented at the competition.
Ranker said, “The Fort Campbell soldiers we always take some 101st flags and wave them at some competitions.”
This year Fort Campbell is sending SFC Ranker for swimming, cycling, and 800 meter run; SPC Michael Blount for hand cycling, sitting shot put, and discus throw; SPC Jasmine Perry for swimming, standing shot put, and 100 meter sprint; SSG Alexander Shaw for standing shot put and discus throw.
To learn more about the U.S. Paralympics and the Warrior Games, visit them on the web at http://usparalympics.org .
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Rose Mary Brown, widow of Spc. Leslie H. Sabo Jr., 101st Airborne Division, accepts Sabo's Congressional Medal of Honor at the White House in Washington, May 16, 2012. Sabo was killed in action on May 10, 1970.
Takes place at Grace Nazarene Church, 3135 Trenton Rd., at 6:30 p.m. Free childcare, RSVP to jaimeforjewelry@gmail.com.
Green Certification Banquet
Will be held at the Water Street Events Center from 6-8 p.m. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at mcgtn.org/green or by contacting Michelle Newell at manewell@mcgtn.org.
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