Cpl. Justin Gaertner from New Port Richey, Fla., will compete in the 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 30-May 5. Gaertner, 23, will compete in track and field, cycling and wheelchair basketball. Gaertner is recovering at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Md., and is a bilateral above-knee amputee who was injured in an improvised explosive device explosion. 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, includin
Cpl. Justin Gaertner from New Port Richey, Fla., will compete in the 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 30-May 5. Gaertner, 23, will compete in track and field, cycling and wheelchair basketball. Gaertner is recovering at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Md., and is a bilateral above-knee amputee who was injured in an improvised explosive device explosion. 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, including his best friend. His brother, also a Marine, was the first family member to see him after his injury. Gaertner also placed first in the 2012 Boston Marathon handcycling division April 19. More than 200 wounded, ill or injured service members from the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Special Operations Command are scheduled to compete in the Paralympic-style competition. New Port Richey Marine to compete in 2012 Warrior Games DVIDS565553
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Keywords: 2012, 2012warriorgames, armed, conflict, forces, games, military, states, united, war, warrior
