Tech Sgt. Keith Sekora of the 446th Airlift Wing at McChord Field recently returned from the Warrior Games with a bronze medal in seated volleyball.

"It was awesome," said Sekora, 42, of the third annual event, which was held April 30 to May 5 in Colorado Springs, Colo. "The camaraderie, the excitement and being part of the team representing the Air Force - it was awesome."

The games began in 2010 as an introduction to Paralympic sports for wounded, ill and injured Servicemembers and veterans. It is hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee and events include archery, cycling, wheelchair basketball, swimming, shooting, track and field and sitting volleyball.

"Sometimes back in regular life, or even at the base, you get lost ... but at the games, being around other guys who are going through the same stuff reminds you that you're normal," he said. "They are dealing with what I am."  

Sekora was originally injured after shrapnel from an improvised explosive device (IED) struck the back of his neck during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. As a result, he suffered a series of four strokes and was left with post-traumatic stress disorder, memory loss, vertigo and loss of feeling on the left side of his body.

Sekora recently returned to normal life at McChord Field after competing in shot put, discus, volleyball and swimming events at his first games.  Although he was slated to compete in four events, he was only able to get through three since he injured his shoulder during the 50-meter freestyle swim.

"I heard it pop, but I didn't think it was too bad. I finished the race," he said. "The coaches and the doctors had to keep telling me I couldn't do the last race (a 200-meter relay). I wanted to keep going."

Prior to the mishap in the pool, Sekora won a bronze medal (for seated volleyball) and had narrowly missed another third place finish in the standing shot put and discus event.

Though he had experience in both volleyball and swimming prior to his injury and the games, he was only selected to compete in the shot put and discus events a few days before the games - leaving him just four days to train and throw.

"This experience has shown me my new boundaries and how far I can push myself," he said.

Though Sekora, who spent a decade on active duty in the Army and the last seven years in the Air Force Reserve, is medically retiring at the end of May, his tenure at the Warrior Games is just beginning.

"I am definitely putting in for next year's team," said Sekora, who will now vie for a spot on the veterans' team. "Now I know what to expect and how to train. I'll be ready."

Photo: Tech. Sgt. Keith Sekora, left, a Reservist with the 446th Airlift Wing at McChord Field, and retired Chief Master Sgt. Damian Orslene, practice discus throwing last month at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. The Warrior Games serves as an introduction to Paralympic sports, while also building camaraderie and raising awareness of adaptive sports. /Duncan Wood