Sydenham man represents Canada at Warrior Games in Orlando

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A Canadian Armed Forces Artillery Reservist from Sydenham is currently participating in Orlando, Florida to represent Canada at the 2022 United States Department of Defense Warrior Games in archery, air rifle tablet and sitting volleyball for the first time.

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“I have no idea what to expect in the competition,” Maj. Andrew Gault told the Whig-Standard on Friday, noting that he will be up against some very talented and experienced athletes. In addition to competitions, he looks forward to supporting his team.

“The experience, the fact that I’m here, it’s still sinking in.”

The Warrior Games, similar to the Invictus Games, is hosted by the US Department of Defense and runs from August 19-28. The games feature athletes from Canada, Ukraine, United States Special Operations Command, as well as the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Navy -United. Athletes participate in adaptive sports that enhance their physical abilities and mental toughness.

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Canada is sending a team through Soldier On, which is how Gault got involved.

Gault is originally from Toronto but currently works at the Peace Support Training Center at Canadian Forces Base Kingston. He has been a reserve officer for nearly 32 years and served in Omhajer, Eritrea, with the United Nations from 2001 to 2002, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2007, and in Baghdad, Iraq, while integrated in the United States in 2016-17.

It was after his stay in Eritrea that he was diagnosed with an operational stress injury. It was after the tour that he had a chance encounter at a mess dinner with retired Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire, an encounter that inspired Gault to ask for help.

“It was also his first public outing after his diagnoses,” Gault said. “We are in the same profession and we knew the same people. I happened to sit down with him and realized that it was important to work on myself to get better for my family and to be able to continue serving.

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“By volunteering for these games too, I wanted to show that this is an injury that can be worked on and improved upon, not a permanent disability. I had my ups and downs, but my family supported me through thick and thin and I was able to continue working.

He said recovery used to be operations-focused because he wanted to be well enough to return to work. He’s recovered enough to deploy twice more, but with Soldier On he’s learned that recovery means more than that.

“Life is more than service,” Gault said. “I had to learn to appreciate life in general, to go out and be with people who weren’t just wearing a uniform.”

While Gault was deployed to Iraq, his wife, Brenda, and sons Andrew and Matthew tried archery for the first time with the Kingston Archery Club. When Gault came back he tried it and liked it. He then discovered the Soldier On scholarship program, which helps him buy the necessary equipment for his new sport.

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“(Archery) was different, it was interesting,” Gault said. “It helps me relearn how to concentrate. I thank my family for this. »

Since arriving at the Games last Wednesday, Gault has been able to meet some of the Ukrainian athletes, many of whom are struggling because they are unable to serve their country as they traditionally would during the invasion of Russia. There are 35 competitors.

“It’s really humbling,” Gault said. “Hearing their stories and the camaraderie with them is just as exceptional. I feel very privileged to be here in their presence.

Gault isn’t the only Kingston-area competitor at the Games. Retired Sergeant Laurie Thorlakson is from Kingston and competes in shooting, swimming, powerlifting and wheelchair rugby.

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