Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com
psparn@ClarksvilleNow.com
FORT CAMPBELL, KY – Wounded and injured soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion faced off against the Fort Campbell Command Sergeants Major in a wheelchair basketball game Tuesday morning in the Lozada Physical Fitness Center at Fort Campbell.
The competition was organized when Fort Campbell’s WTB Command Sgt. Major James Smith challenged 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell Command Sergeants Major to a wheelchair basketball game.
The friendly competition aimed to help the leaders within the 101st Airborne Division experience what it is like for soldiers who participate in Adaptive Reconditioning Programs within the Fort Campbell WTB.
The senior officers had troubles keeping up with the wounded and injured WTB soldiers and managed to only score a few points in the wheelchair basketball challenge.
Cpl. Jasmine Perry played in the game on the WTB’s team and said she had a lot of fun competing against the senior officers.
“It is a lot of fun and it is very rewarding,” said Perry. “Wheelchair basketball helps build morale for all the soldiers.”
Perry played without the lower portion of her left leg due to an injury she suffered a few years back and she has been playing wheelchair basketball since 2010.
“It’s an outlet physically and emotionally for me and all the injured and wounded soldiers,” said Perry. ”Anytime I get on the court, It helps me relive stress.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Herndon played in the wheelchair basketball game on the senior officers’ team and said he had a lot of fun participating in the competition.
“We were out here to have fun and compete,” said Herndon. “But, ultimately we came out here to support what these wounded soldiers are doing see what they do on a daily basis.”
Herndon pointed out that the friendly competition helped him better understand what the soldiers in the WTB are going through and what type of character they have.
“Wheelchair basketball is tougher than you would initially think it would be,” said Herndon. ”It was pretty challenging … My shoulders are burning and my wrists feel it pretty good after trying to move the wheelchair around and shoot the ball.”
Herndon said activities like wheelchair basketball and the other programs within the Fort Campbell WTB helps the wounded soldiers progress physically and mentally.
“Wheelchair basketball helps the soldiers’ progress in their healing processes,” said Herndon. “We want to help get them healed and returned to action or set them up for a smooth takeoff out of the ARMY.”
Herndon emphasized that the wounded and injured WTB soldiers have developed a skill and a talent to overcome, and their performance on the basketball court clearly demonstrated that premise.
Photos by Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com