Navy Nets More Medals at the Invictus Games

By Patty Babb, Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor

LONDON, U.K. (NNS) -- Three Navy athletes helped lead the U.S. wheelchair basketball team to silver at the 2014 Invictus Games Sept. 13 in London.

Retired Navy Aviation Electrician's Mate Apprentice Steven Davis, Navy Chief Yeoman Javier Rodriguez Santiago and retired Navy Chief Gunner's Mate Hector Varela started in all four games played throughout the day. The team won decisively against Denmark (18-12), New Zealand (14-5) and France (28-6) before falling to the U.K. in the final match (9-19).

"During these games, we've played in front of crowds larger than any we've had before, and it's been a lot of fun," said Varela. "I'm definitely tired after so much tough competition - and I'm looking forward to resting - but I'm really enjoying it, and I'm glad my family is here to see it."

Varela - an above-the-knee amputee who was injured in a motorcycle accident in 2012 - started in both wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games. A longtime wheelchair basketball player, Varela plays for the Wolfpack, the Naval Medical Center San Diego team. Wheelchair rugby, however, was entirely new to him at the start of the Invictus Games.

"I wanted to try something new," said Varela. "Wheelchair rugby is similar to wheelchair basketball, but I had to learn some new rules when I got here in London. I really liked it."

The U.S. Team earned silver in wheelchair rugby on Sept. 12 after facing off against several highly skilled teams. Retired Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jaime Garza also played on the U.S. wheelchair rugby team.

In cycling, retired Navy Lt. j.g. Laura Root took the bronze medal in the women's road bike circuit race, completing a nine-mile course in 30 minutes and 53 seconds. In rowing, retired Coast Guard Electrician's Mate 1st Class Paul Johnson was part of the U.S. rowing crew that earned a bronze medal in the team race.

"However I place I will give it my all - my all!" said Johnson - who was injured in a shipboard accident - before competition began. "I am honored to be here, to continue to fight, and to be 'invictus.' I am a winner to be here, and a medal will just be icing on the cake."

Since the event began, the U.S. Team has enjoyed visits from Dr. Jill Biden and numerous flag officers, including Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr.

"One of the things I've learned while watching [the wounded warrior athletes] is the triumph of ability over disability," Winnefeld said. "These folks have given so much to their country, and they've suffered wounds, both internal and external. They're showing us through their hard work, their teamwork, and their companionship that they're able to overcome all of that and become something that's bigger than their individual injury."

During the final day of competition, the U.S. athletes will go head-to-head against the other wounded warriors in power lifting, sitting volleyball and swimming. The closing ceremony will take place that evening.

"I've been having a great time in London, and I like walking around and observing everything," said retired Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Steve Miller, who has never before visited the U.K. "I'm having fun competing and exploring."

Prince Harry announced the launch of the Invictus Games on March 6. The Royal Foundation, with the direct oversight of the prince and the Defense Secretary Philip Hammond, are hosting the event, which brings together wounded warriors from 13 nations. The athletes are competing in archery, cycling, power lifting, rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.

All of the Navy and Coast Guard athletes participating in the Invictus Games are enrolled in Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor, the Navy's sole wounded warrior support program. NWW provides seriously wounded, ill and injured service members non-medical care, allowing them to focus on healing without distractions.