Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Over 300 wounded, ill and injured Marines, Marine veterans and international Marines and soldiers will participate in the second annual Marine Corps Trials February 13-22 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The event, which is hosted by the Wounded Warrior Regiment, will include individual and team competition in sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, swimming, cycling, shooting, archery and track/field.  Four teams, East, West, Veteran and International, will go head to head for team gold.  The international team will have athletes from several allied nations, including the British Royal Marines, Dutch Marines and soldiers from Australia.

The mission of the Trials is to incorporate approximately 300 wounded, ill and injured athletes into a competitive sports setting and to provide a forum to select 50 athletes as members of the All-Marine team for the Warrior Games.  The Warrior Games, a competition between all branches of service for wounded, ill and injured service members, will take place in Colorado Springs, Colo. April 30- May 6, 2012.

The Trials is a part of the WWR’s Warrior Athlete Reconditioning program, which provides opportunities for Marines to engage in both physical and cognitive activities outside the traditional therapy setting. According to Maj. Susan Stark, WAR program officer in charge, “the program allows the WWR to continue supporting wounded, ill and injured Marines through their recovery process by providing opportunities for them to focus on strengthening their bodies and building their confidence.” 

******MEDIA COORDINATION INSTRUCTIONS******

Media interested in covering this event must call the Camp Pendleton Media Relations Office at (760) 725-5044 and must RSVP no later than noon Wednesday, 15 Feb. Members of the media who have RSVP'd will meet at Camp Pendleton's SAN LUIS REY GATE at 12 NOON on THURSDAY, 16 FEB. to be escorted to the opening ceremony for the event.

For more information about the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment visit us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usmcwwr) or go to:  www.woundedwarriorregiment.org or call the Sgt. Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center 24/7 at (877) 487-6299.