News

Air Force Reservist to represent McChord in Warrior Games 2012

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  After throwing the opening pitch at the Seattle Mariners' 10th Annual Salute to Armed Forces game, April 21, Tech. Sgt. Keith Sekora, a 42-year-old Issaquah resident, was on a flight to Colorado to begin training for the 3rd Annual Warrior Games.

Sekora is one of more than 200 servicemembers competing in the 2012 games, which started April 30 and will continue until May 5 at the Air Force Academy and Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

After shrapnel from an improvised explosive device struck the back of his neck during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from the 446th Airlift Wing here, suffered a series of four strokes and was left with post-traumatic stress disorder, memory loss, vertigo and loss of feeling on the left side of his body. But that hasn't swayed his confidence in participating in his first Warrior Games.

"I'm overwhelmed with the privilege of being on the Air Force Warrior team," said the 6-foot-6 giant. "Being a member of this team proves to me, that I can still do things and play sports with my disabilities. It also allows me to represent the Air Force and the EOD community and compete against other wounded warriors in the other service branches."

In this year's games, he's scheduled to represent the Air Force Reserve in participating in: the sitting volleyball team, standing shot put and discus, the 50-meter freestyle and the combined 200-meter freestyle relay.

Sekora displayed his true warrior and team-player grit when he was forced to go back to the states early from his deployment, due to his injuries.

"My biggest concern was I felt I abandoned my team by being sent back home early," he said.

Sekora has completed extensive physical therapy and hasn't let the effects of his injuries get the best of him. Last year, he participated in the 2011 Iraq/Afghanistan Run for Remembrance on his recumbent bicycle.

For more information on the Warrior Games 2012, visit http://www.afspc.af.mil/ and click on "Warrior Games 2012." For more information on the 446th Airlift Wing, go to http://www.446aw.afrc.af.mil/ or become a fan on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/446thAW.