Casey, who has spearheaded wounded warrior care reform in the Army, received a rock-star’s welcome as he toured venues with Charlie Huebner, the head of Paralympics for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

He even autographed a few Warrior Games posters, and he presented the medals after the final basketball game.

Casey bypassed the designated VIP section and walked onto the gym floor just after the Army-Marine volleyball matchup, shaking hands and patting shoulders.

“Why these [Games] are so important is they’re bringing these young men and women [together], and they’re allowing them to compete and allowing them to get those competitive juices going again,” Casey said.

Casey said that he thinks these inaugural Warrior Games will spawn future regional competitions to better prepare the athletes for competition in the games.

"I think it’s going to be great,” he said.

"I think it’s going to have a huge trickle-down effect all across our warrior transition units."

Because Casey (pictured) has traveled around visiting troops in military hospitals, he recognised many of the athletes.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacque Keeslar said he first met Casey while in physical rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.

"It was a real honour to receive the medal from the chief of staff of the Army,” he said.

"It was an awesome experience."

Keeslar said Casey told him, “Good job, old man.”

At 40, Keeslar is the oldest member of his team. He was competing on the court against troops nearly half his age.

Keeslar said he believes the Army leadership is doing everything it can for wounded warriors.

"Sometimes it may seem like it falls short but they’re doing everything that they can," he said.

"When you’re in a situation like this, you can’t [ever] get what you need fast enough.

"Our leadership is working the best they can for us."

The Warrior Games end later with track and field competitions and the swimming finals.  


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May 2010: Deloitte to sponsor US Paralympic programmes
January 2010: US Defence Department and USOC launch Warrior Games