How does a wounded warrior channel his innately competitive spirit? The Warrior Games, taking place now in Colorado Spring, Colorado, offer injured veterans an outlet. Competing in Paralympic-style events gives veterans a sense of purpose, satisfaction, and a chance to enjoy the camaraderie they were used to in the military. Twenty-one-year-old Lance Corporal Duncan Mathis fell 75 feet down an unmarked well while on a nighttime mission with his Marine unit in Afghanistan. He suffered multiple bones fractures to his legs and ankles, his shoulder and arm. After 17 surgeries and a yearlong stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Mathis is now stationed at Camp Lejeune in the Wounded Warrior Battalion East. He heard about the Warrior Games there and signed up to participate. Teams represent the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy/ Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations. Mathis said in a phone interview, “It’s been a phenomenal experience.” He has mostly enjoyed the camaraderie with the other service members who have so much in common. We should have even more events like this to help our injured veterans with keep their spirits up!