Cpl. Justin Gaertner of New Port Richey, Fla., catches his breath after finishing second in the 10-kilometer handcycling race during the 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 1. He will also compete in wheelchair basketball. Gaertner is a bilateral above-knee amputee who was injured in an improvised explosive device blast. At the time of the explosion in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Gaertner was clearing an area with a metal detector to ensure it was safe for a helicopter to land for a casualty evacuation. Two Marines were already injured, one of which was his best friend. He is
Cpl. Justin Gaertner of New Port Richey, Fla., catches his breath after finishing second in the 10-kilometer handcycling race during the 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 1. He will also compete in wheelchair basketball. Gaertner is a bilateral above-knee amputee who was injured in an improvised explosive device blast. At the time of the explosion in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Gaertner was clearing an area with a metal detector to ensure it was safe for a helicopter to land for a casualty evacuation. Two Marines were already injured, one of which was his best friend. He is currently recovering at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Md. Gaertner placed sixth in the 2012 Boston Marathon handcycling division, April 19. New Port Richey Marine excels in cycling at 2012 Warrior Games DVIDS570083
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Photo credit: © PJF Military Collection / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: 2012warriorgames, armed, colorado, conflict, forces, military, states, united, war, warriors, wounded
