The Greatness Of The Invictus Games
We at TFM are staunch supporters of our veterans, the men and women currently serving, and all the family and friends behind these models of character. You may have a relative who served, a fraternity brother maybe, and we can’t thank them enough for the sacrifices they made to protect our freedoms.
However, I wanted to give Prince Harry a special shoutout for setting up the Invictus Games, and thereby making the first TFM by the British in centuries. The Invictus Games are much like the Olympics but for wounded, ill, and injured service men and women from around the world and are intended to honor and recognize their service and sacrifice without the piteous sympathies we have grown use to in this era of political correctness.
In addition to the thousands of supporters and spectators that filled the stands and the greats in attendance such as George W. Bush, Tim McGraw and Morgan Freeman, the Invictus Games hosted 485 competitors from 14 nations, competing in 10 sports: archery, driving, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling/para-cycling, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, Paralympic swimming and Paralympic track and field events.
I wanted to share with you a few moving portraits from the events that should inspire you to do more and to be more.
As I’m sure you all know from your intramural days, sports are more than just a way to get out and keep your beer belly from showing too much. The camaraderie and sportsmanship on the field provide unparalleled psychological and social benefits, something that we all seek to provide for our service men and women. I wanted to leave you with the poem that has best defined and inspired the spirit embodied by the eponymous sporting event, Invictus.
“Invictus”
By William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Of course, a few nice words don’t mean much. I have yet to find an avenue of supporting the Invictus Games aside from the merchandise shop, but am contacting the powers that be to find such an avenue. Once I do, I’ll let you all know what comes of it.
In the meantime, I have donated to the USO and highly encourage you to show some love to our veterans as well. There are tons of charities out there that support our armed services, so I found a few and posted the links to their donation pages below. Feel free to read up about each charity and what they provide.
Wounded Warrior Project: Click here to donate.
Wounded Warriors Family Support: Click here to donate.
Disabled American Veterans: Click here to donate.
Fisher House Foundation: Click here to donate.
And in the words of our warriors, “We Came. We Saw. We’re Unconquered.” #weareinvictus.
Image via YouTube
Guessing China dominated the driving event.
9 years ago at 4:14 pmA badaas poem for some badass people. Salute to all our veterans for making the ultimate sacrifice.
9 years ago at 4:22 pmProtecting your country. TFM.
9 years ago at 6:26 pmAs a service member thanks for sharing this. I came across it the other day and had a similar reaction.
To the audience writ large I have only one request. Please don’t pity veterans. A lot of good intentioned people do this unintentionally and it can be frustrating. You sick degenerate bastards here seem to do okay at not doing that though. Keep doing what you do.
9 years ago at 11:06 pm