MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Marine Corps Trials 2020 began here today with a cheerful opening ceremony.
Honoring each country and team—Canada, Columbia, France, Georgia, Italy, United Kingdom, Wounded Warrior Battalion-East and Wounded Warrior Battalion-West—and their participants as they were introduced to the crowd that gathered at the event.
Lt. Col. Brian Huysman, commanding officer of Wounded Warrior Battalion-West, said, “I would like to thank our uniformed and civilian people who have done hours, days, weeks and months of work to put on this great event.“
There are a total of 196 athletes representing the two Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Battalions and six foreign countries. The Athletes will participate in 12 adaptive sports that include archery, rowing, shooting, golf, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, track, field, swimming, and cycling.
U.S. Marines participating in the trials compete for a chance to make the final roster as a part of Team Marine Corps in the DoD Wounded Warrior Games. The Warrior Games will be in San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 20-28.
“To all our recovering service members representing the nations here, you have made sacrifices while serving each of your countries that have continued to challenge you,” Lt. Col. Huysman said. “We recognize your hard work, your dedication, to yourselves and your team, and your ongoing commitment to performance and excellence.”
The recovering service members and veterans participating in the Trials enjoyed a BBQ Luau that followed shortly after the opening ceremony at Del Mar Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
The Luau allowed the RSMs and veterans the opportunity to relax and get acquainted with one another while enjoying the sunny weather, BBQ, and fun.
The Marine Corps Trials start Wednesday, March 4th and run through Wednesday, March 11th.
