Navy Wounded Warriors Finish Strong at the Invictus Games

LONDON (NNS) -- Three Navy wounded warriors helped the U.S. sitting volleyball team clinch the silver medal Sept. 14 at the Invictus Games in London.

The final volleyball match capped a day of hard-fought competitions that included swimming and power lifting. In the evening, the wounded warrior athletes celebrated at a star-studded closing concert at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

"The Invictus Games have been great," said retired Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class John Kremer, a combat-wounded double-amputee who served as the sitting volleyball team captain. "The first day we got here, a couple of teammates and I went out in town and everybody downtown was asking us if we were here for Invictus Games and they were wishing us luck."

Kremer, alongside Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Jonathan Adviento and retired Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Max Rohn, were victorious in three sitting volleyball games against Denmark, Germany and Georgia before losing a closely-contested final match against the U.K. at the sold-out 7,000 seat Copperbox Arena.

At the pool, retired Navy Lt. John Edmonston added to his collection of medals, taking home a silver medal in the men's 50-meter breaststroke. Also, Edmonston and retired Navy Corpsman 3rd Class Redmond Ramos won bronze in the men's 50-meter freestyle relay.

The closing concert included a presentation of participation medals for all Invictus Games competitors. Dr. Jill Biden attended the event and took time to greet the U.S. wounded warrior athletes and hear their stories. The presentation was followed by a headlining performance by the Foo Fighters, as well as sets from Kaiser Chiefs, Ellie Goulding, Ryan Adams, The Vamps, Rizzle Kicks, James Blunt, Diversity and Military Wives Choirs.

"I've never competed in this kind of atmosphere before, with such big crowds, but it was a really good competition overall," said retired Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sonny Lemerande, who was wounded in combat in 2009. "We got along really well with the wounded warriors from the other countries, lots of friendly handshakes and I had a really good time."

Prince Harry announced the launch of the Invictus Games March 6. The Royal Foundation, with the direct oversight of Prince Harry and the Defense Secretary Philip Hammond, hosted the event, which brought together wounded warriors from 13 nations. The athletes went head-to-head in archery, cycling, power lifting, rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

All of the Navy and Coast Guard athletes who took part in the Invictus Games are enrolled in Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) - Safe Harbor, the Navy's sole wounded warrior support program. NWW does not only assist those wounded in combat; it also helps those battling serious illnesses or who are injured in accidents on a ship, in training or on liberty.

To learn more about NWW, the Invictus Games and adaptive athletics, visit http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil; call 855-NAVY WWP (628-9997) or email navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil.

For more news from commander, Navy Installations Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cni/.