Semper Fi Fund Supports Service Members and Families at 2014 Warrior Games!

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Every year, thousands of injured, ill and wounded service members vie for just 200 coveted slots in the annual Warrior Games, a six-day, Paralympic-style competition for the five branches of the military. Next week, the exceptional athletes who made the cut for the 2014 games will go head to head in seven different sports starting September 28 and running through October 4. Thanks to the Semper Fi Fund, their friends and family will be at the games to cheer them on.

The Semper Fi Fund is proud to support these athletes as an Associate Sponsor of the Warrior Games and as a Title Sponsor of the Family Program. As one of the Title Sponsors, the Semper Fi Fund is providing over $100,000 for flights, hotel rooms, meals, and transportation for the families of the service members, supporting them so they can support their loved ones.

Like Kirsten, who, thanks to the Semper Fi Fund, will be there to support husband Christopher with their son Brydon in tow: “[Without their support] we would not be able to attend. With Christopher competing I’m unable to hold a full time job with two toddlers; the finances simply wouldn’t be there,” she said. “It’s something you can’t express until you’ve felt the pull from being without each other. At home I think even we take for granted how much we rely on each other for our well-being.”

The Semper Fi Fund also supports these competitors beyond the Warrior Games. Out of 200 total athletes competing at the Warrior Games this year, the Semper Fi Fund has provided financial assistance and support, during their recovery and transition, to over 30% of these service members. Kirsten, Christopher and their two sons are one such family:

“I honestly don’t know where we would be without the competitions, camps, retreats he has been able to attend,” she continued. “Work has not been an option for Christopher with his injuries— he attempted and it put him in the hospital on more than one occasion. He gets so much out of this mentally, physically, emotionally, and even socially. It can be extremely hard on a veteran to come home injured and lose everything he was working towards in the service. These events have given him drive, friendships, goals, advice, and something to look forward to. I can’t express our family’s gratitude enough.”

This year’s group of competitors will also include several members of The Peter Murphy Semper Fi Fund Sports Program – Team Semper Fi (TSF) and Team America’s Fund (TAmF); to include Paul Schaus, a member of the US Paralympic Sled Hockey Team that won the Gold at Sochi, and honorary torch-bearer at this year’s Warrior Games. Also competing for TSF/TAmF is Pedro Ernesto Aquino, who took top honors in the SH2 prone air rifle category at the May 2013 Warrior Games. Returning this year to defend his title, Pedro will once again be gunning for the gold. Exemplifying what the games are all about and serving as an inspiration to us all, Christopher, Paul, Pedro and all 197 of their fellow competitors have already won by serving as an inspiration for us all.

Event details:

WHERE: U.S. Olympic Training Center and the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO.
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 28 – Saturday, October 4

Visit the Warrior Games website for complete schedule: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Military/Warrior-Games-presented-by-Deloitte/Competition-Schedules