Jay Rosquites
EBC Florida Bureau
TAMPA, Fla. (Eagle News Service) — After an exhausting, yet inspiring 10-day competition, the 2019 Warrior Games athletes came out one last time to conclude this Olympic-style sporting event. In the closing ceremony, the U.S. Armed Forces, along with the U.K., Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, and Australia defense forces, celebrated their team’s victories. Each team took the stage to honor their “Heart of the Team”, which is an award given to a team member that exemplifies leadership, determination, and other noble characteristics of a team character.
The “Ultimate Champion” title, given to the individuals who acquired the most points in eight sporting events, were also handed out. The bronze medal was awarded to Staff Sgt. Army veteran Ross Alewine. There was a tie for second place, which was given to Brett Campfield of the U.S. Air Force and Casey Turner of the U.S. Army. The Gold medal was awarded to Technical Sergeant Chunte Gonzalez, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Jon Stewart, one of the celebrity ambassadors of the Warrior Games, emceed and was even given a gift; a frame of the Tampa city skyline with the coins of the various armed forces. The gift was presented by General Richard D. Clarke and the team captains of each defense force as a token of appreciation of his ambassadorship of the games.
The 2019 Warrior Games hosted 14 sporting events, included new events such as Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Tennis, and Golf. A total of 800 awards were given throughout the games and 39 new records set for individual sports, according to Gen. Clarke.
During Gen. Clarke’s closing remarks, he highlighted the unity of the Warrior Games.
“At the end of the day, this is still a joint force,” said Clarke. “But is also a team made up of allies because America will never go to war alone. And it’s our allies and this joint force, and while we compete together, we’re also fighting together.”
To close the ceremony, representatives of the Marine Corps received the passing of the torch, which signified where next year’s Warrior Games will take place — San Antonio, Texas.
