Invictus Games Flag Visits Washington, D.C. VA Fisher House
U.S. Team Captain to Present Flag to Fisher House Representatives
Kissimmee, FL (May 5, 2016) – The Invictus Games Orlando 2016 U.S. Team Captain Will Reynolds today presented the Invictus Games flag that will fly over Orlando to the Washington, D.C. VA. Fisher House. Cpt. Reynolds placed the flag on display at the Fisher House before he takes it to Orlando. Symbolic of the competitors’ journeys to the Games, the flag has made several previous stops across the U.S. including New York City, Dallas and now Washington, D.C.
Founded by Prince Harry and hosted in London in 2014, the Invictus Games are the only international adaptive sporting event for wounded, ill and injured military servicemen and women. Over 500 competitors from 14 nations will participate in the second Invictus Games May 8-12 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support my family and I received from the Fisher House Foundation when I was undergoing treatment for my injuries. Thanks to Fisher House, my family was able to by my side for each of my 26 surgeries,” said Invictus Games 2016 U.S. Team Captain Will Reynolds, who spent over 100 nights in VA hospitals after losing his lower left leg in an IED detonation in Iraq.
The Invictus Games Flag tour is symbolic of the journey the men and women competing in the Games followed in their recoveries, and will travel all the way to Orlando for the Games. The goal of the tour is to encourage support and participation in the Invictus Games 2016 but also educate audiences about the power of sports in recovery and to honor the brave sacrifices of all our service members and their families. The Games are a phenomenal chance to support men and women in uniform who will showcase true spirit and determination while being part of a unique, action-packed sporting event.
“At Fisher House, we understand the integral role families play in the recovery and rehabilitation of injured service men and women and their families,” said Kerri Childress, Vice President of Communications for Fisher House Foundation. “We are honored to support the Games and look forward to cheering on the competitors in Orlando, many of whom have previously stayed at a Fisher House while they received treatment.”
From start to finish, competition at the Games will be action packed. Gold medals will be at stake every single day and competitors will be ready to dig in. The international field will be competing in 10 events: archery, cycling, indoor rowing, power lifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
Fans can go to https://invictusgames2016.info/tickets/ to purchase tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime event.
About Invictus Games Orlando 2016
Presented by Jaguar Land Rover, the Invictus Games are the only international adaptive sporting event for injured active duty and veteran service members. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of all those who serve their country as well as their families and caregivers. More than 500 competitors from 14 countries will compete in 10 adaptive sports. The Invictus Games Orlando 2016 are presented by Jaguar Land Rover. The Official Supporters are the Walt Disney Company, Fisher House Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher Brothers, Sage, Coca-Cola Company, Deloitte, Experience Kissimmee, Capital One, Invacare, Ottobock and Dow. Fans can buy tickets by visiting https://invictusgames2016.info/tickets/.
About Fisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $320 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation. Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans. To learn more about Fisher House Foundation, visit www.fisherhouse.org.
About The Invictus Games Symposium on Invisible Wounds
The George W. Bush Institute will conduct an international symposium at Invictus Games Orlando 2016 on May 8, to discuss solutions aimed at helping returning servicemen and women improve outcomes for their transition back to civilian life. President Bush will also serve as honorary chair for Invictus Games 2016. The Invictus Games Symposium on Invisible Wounds will convene warriors, experts and community partners to address the scale and scope of invisible wounds (Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries) facing warriors. With representatives from all fourteen nations participating, we will discuss barriers to care, including both stigmas and stereotypes associated with these injuries.
About Jaguar Land Rover and It’s Support of the Invictus Games
Jaguar Land Rover is proud to be the presenting partner of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, the international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women using sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve the country. Jaguar Land Rover is proud to also sponsor the UK Invictus Games team. Jaguar Land Rover has a strong commitment to the Armed Forces and Veteran community and this has been extended through the Jaguar Land Rover Calibre Partnership. This will fund the training and hiring of 180 US Servicemen and Servicewomen this year across North American retailers. This follows, since 2013, Jaguar Land Rover hiring over 200 former servicemen and servicewomen in the UK, working closely with the Career Transition Partnership, the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) official provider of Armed Forces resettlement. The company has a growing number of initiatives, including a work placement scheme, launched in October 2014 in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership (Assist) and Mission Motorsport – The Armed Forces’ Motorsport Charity. The scheme helps wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women find a fulfilling and long-term second career.