Ken Fisher’s Speech at Invictus Games 2016 Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony of the second Invictus Games, Orlando, Florida
Good evening and welcome to the second Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover. I AM thrilled you are all here and thank you for joining what will be a life changing experience for both our competitors and spectators.
And before I go any further, I would just like to say I hope all the Mothers out there had an amazing day.
Our lives are made up of journeys, of roads travelled, of people we meet. Journeys of triumph and tragedy, of courage and selflessness. Some of us have had many journeys, traveled many roads, some just a few. But what we all have in common is that the journeys we share with others – our family, our friends, even strangers – can be the richest and the most memorable.
Our journey here tonight has been shared with so many people to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude. To our families, our partners, the 500 competitors and the new friends we have made along the way. Thank you ALL for being fellow travelers on this journey to Orlando.
These Games will celebrate the military family as never before. We will celebrate their role in recovery, and witness the role sports has played in that long and difficult rehabilitation process.
Over the next 4 days, you will hear stories of courage and fortitude told by men and women who refused to use the term “I CAN’T.” You 500 seated in front of me are truly unconquerable, as are the 1,000 family and friends seated next to you.
I was often asked over the last year what I wanted the Invictus Games here in the United States to achieve, and 3 words came to mind – HONOR, EDUCATE, and INSPIRE.
We will seek to honor service to country and the sacrifices made by the entire military family, that all too often go completely unnoticed, as does their role as care givers. We will honor those who can now only be remembered, and pledge that we will never forget.
We will seek to educate people around the globe about the devastating impact of the unseen wounds of war, Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury – the effects of which lead to so many issues plaguing our veterans, regardless of the uniform they wear, and the equally devastating impact it has on the entire military family, especially children.
And finally, we will seek to inspire those at home who suffer in silence to re-engage with society and seek the treatment that is available. We hope that anyone with physical or psychological challenges can witness what is possible, especially using sport to empower individual effort, rebuild spirit, and restore self-esteem.
This is what inspired Prince Harry to create these Games after seeing our Warrior games, and we hope they will inspire many more veterans to take that courageous first step.
To my team – those members of the organizing committee too numerous to mention, who gave a full year of their lives to make this happen, you all have my undying gratitude.
I want to thank First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden – their Joining Forces initiative galvanized support for veterans in this country as never before. To my honorary chairman, President George W. Bush, thank you for agreeing to play such an important role here in Orlando. And of course our sponsors, without whom we could not have delivered an event of this scale.
Over the next few days I want us all to think of the journey that led us here tonight. My journey started in 2002 when I became Chairman and CEO of The Fisher House Foundation. It has been an amazing, educational and inspiring journey that has given my life real purpose and meaning.
Thank you to my wife Tammy for standing by my side, and to my entire family for being there when I needed you most.
The spirit of Invictus is contagious. Enjoy the next 4 days. I AM looking forward to the competition, the camaraderie, the companionship, and of course the celebrations.
Ken Fisher is Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Invictus Games 2016
