OCW supports Fort Benning’s Warrior Games trials
Staff Sgt. Zachary Haynes reviews targets with Yaquan Davis during Fort Benning's Warrior Games Regional Trials, Feb. 23-27. Photo by Bartram Nason

OCW supports Fort Benning’s Warrior Games trials

The Fort Benning (Ga.) Warrior Transition Battalion hosted the Warrior Games Regional Trials from Feb. 23-27, where The American Legion was the only veterans service organization represented. The Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) program provided nearly $39,000 in gear to assist the 80 wounded and ill servicemembers representing three Army installations under the Southern Regional Medical Command-East with the competition.

OCW provided air rifles, air pistols, 10 sport wheelchairs, compound bows, recurve bows and other archery accessories.

“The hours that I spent with the athletes, cadre and Army leadership really demonstrated what The American Legion is about—that wherever they go after this, The American Legion will be there supporting them in that transition,” OCW Director James Ellison said. “I was there to cheer for the athletes, enjoy in their success, and give a pat on the back when they didn’t do well.

“The staff was grateful for the gear and the fact that I was there. They couldn’t believe I came from Indianapolis to spend a week supporting their athletes. It wasn’t about getting membership. I was there to support our men and women.”

The trials gave the wounded and ill servicemembers an opportunity to qualify for the Army trials at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, this month and then hopefully on to the national competition this summer in Quantico, Va.