JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The United States Air Force hosted the 2018 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 1-9.
These adaptive sport events were for wounded, ill and injured service members from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command, as well as the United Kingdom Armed Forces, Australian Defense Force and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Athletes competed in archery, cycling, indoor rowing, powerlifting, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair basketball.
“I was extremely excited when I found out the games were going to be held in my local area, and the best part would of course be seeing my AFW2 (Air Force Wounded Warrior Program) family,” said Tech. Sgt. Carmen Mena-Flores, NRO Operations Squadron Commander’s Support Staff. “I am a non-combat wounded warrior myself, stationed at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado; being a part of this special occasion, even as a non-competitor this year, made me feel good, boosted my morale and made me feel like I still belonged to the program.”
Mena-Flores chose to share the unique experience with her 5-year-old daughter, Jasmine (Jazzy); the two traveled as spectators and supporters of the 39 athletes who comprised Team Air Force.
“I took Jazzy to watch the events and meet other wounded warriors,” she said. “And as we watched the games I would say things like, “Those are all wounded warriors…” and she would say, “Oh, just like you mommy! You have scars, so they have scars too, right?
“I had to explain to Jazzy that not everyone had scars… that some had unique illnesses, wounds or injuries that made them wounded warriors like me, but in other ways,” she continued. “I also explained to her that there are different types of scars – ones that are physical, emotional, psychological, etc. It was a bit challenging to explain to my 5-year-old because I never thought I would have to do that, at least not at this age, but she is a very smart and resilient child and I knew a good explanation would benefit her in the long run.
After absorbing and making sense in her own way of what her mother told her, Jazzy spent the remainder of her time watching the competition trying to identify who was a wounded warrior.
“It was special… the games gave us an opportunity to bond on a unique level and witness true grit, determination and tenacity while celebrating the accomplishments of all the wounded, injured and ill service members we cheered on,” Mena-Flores said. “But the most important thing about this event was what I witnessed at home weeks later.”
Mena-Flores recounted a random day following competition where her daughter had been playing at home.
“Jazzy came running over to me and said that the hand had broken off one of her dolls,” she said. “As she was showing me I thought that she was going to cry, get mad, or want to throw the doll away because we know what kids normally do when their toys break.
“I told her that it was okay and to let me see if I could fix it… that if I could not I would see about getting her a new one,” she continued. “But in a very happy voice Jazzy told me that it was okay… that it was her wounded warrior doll.
Shocked was the only word that came to mind as Mena-Flores took in how her daughter happily explained being completely fine with now having a doll that was missing a hand.
“I really did not know what to think or say besides ‘okay baby’ as she went back to playing,” she said. “Then, from the corner of my eye I saw her playing with her two dolls and heard her say, ‘Hi, I am a Wounded Warrior, what is your name?’; and I was so proud in that moment.
“I could not believe how impactful our conversation had been that day during competition; how Warrior Games reshaped her vision of what normal is,” she continued. “Taking my daughter to see the games this year was one of the best things I could have done for her because it gave her a new perspective. My daughter’s lesson for all of us is just because people are broken, does not mean you throw them away. We might be different, but that is okay. You take care of the broken; you love them and treat them with respect.”
Editor’s note: Mena-Flores was featured in 2017 as part of the AFW2 Warrior Wednesday campaign. She joined the Air Force in September 2007, as an Information Management specialist. In 2015 she was diagnosed with Stage-3 breast cancer, undergoing a bilateral mastectomy. Carmen is still undergoing physical therapy, but is cancer free. Read more about her on our Facebook page.