Hubbard’s Wess competes in Warrior Games at Quantico

June 25, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

The Warrior Games, a competition for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, was created in 2010 and held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Originally run by the United States Olympic Committee for five very successful years, the Department of Defense took over competition this year and since June 19 in Quantico, Va,, has organized its eight sporting events while attracting more than 250 participants nationwide.

Marine Corps Sgt. Justin Wess, a 2002 graduate of Hubbard High School who was injured in Fallujah, Iraq in 2006 and has been medically retired since 2010, is taking part in this year’s Games as a veteran.

He recently finished seventh out of 30 entries in cycling and is set to take part in both its track and field and swimming competitions this week.

“A competition of this sort is great because year after year you get to see friends you ordinarily don’t get to see or interact with on a daily basis. You make new friends, swap stories, share ideas and just help each other out,” Wess said. “You’re there for one another.”

Wess suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and TBI (traumatic brain injury), and also has orthopedic problems in and around his neck, shoulders, knees and wrists.

His goal was to make the military a career yet despite all of his medical woes, still loves but misses military life.

“I went into the service two weeks after I graduated from high school and can honestly say that I miss it very much,” Wess said. “My grandfather was in the U.S. Army and my brother is currently serving as a gunnery sergeant in Dubai. We’ve always looked at our glass as half-full, never half-empty and when one door shuts another opens so I believe that everything happens for a reason.”

In order to train for this year’s cycling competition, Wess rode his bicycle from his home in Hubbard to Liberty and then along back roads to Grove City before heading home.

Wess felt as if he could have done better in the cycling event however, an unexpected visitor to help cheer him on helped ease any disappointment.

“My wife, Danielle, is a nurse at Sharon Regional Hospital and currently eight months pregnant yet she found a way to drive down to Quantico for the day to show support for me,” Wess said. “I have short-term memory problems due to TBI and she is my right hand and rock in everything that I do. She takes care of me, is always so supportive and while she won’t be able to stick around for the track and field and swimming events, I know she is there for me. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate her and my son, Dylan. They mean the world to me.”

Wess credits cycling coach Gary Hanson, who formerly was located on the west coast and now works for Wired Athlete also as an inspiration.

“Gary takes those that are hurt under his wings, encourages them to keep exercising and is always so positive,” Wess said.

For the upcoming track and field competition, Wess will compete in the 200-meter dash, 400 dash, 1,500 run and 4 x 200 relay.

In swimming, he will take part in the 50 freestlye, 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 4x200 relay.

“I trained at the Downtown YMCA for my track events and did a lot of spinning as well in order to prepare for cycling,” Wess said. “Their swimming pool was also a great help.”

Athletes representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command and even British Armed Forces are taking part this year.

In addition to cycling, track and field and swimming, other events this year include wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, archery, sitting volleyball and a shooting competition.

The DoD Warrior Games website notes that “adaptive sports and athletic reconditioning activities play a fundamental role in the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of our service members and veterans. The events of the 2015 DoD Games promote the resiliency and warrior spirit of our wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, caregivers and families.”

Closing ceremonies are set for Sunday at 5 p.m. at Quantico’s Butler Stadium.