Colorado Springs, Colo., - A Texas National Guard member receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder won a gold medal during the inaugural Warrior Games here May 13.
Army Spc. Shawn Porter competed in the 10-meter air rifle standing/non-supported and the 30-meter recurve-bow open events. He did not place in the 30-meter recurve-bow, but shot very well to win the air rifle standing/non supported event.
The 136th Military Police Battalion Soldier was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 but had to be medically evacuated to Landstuhl Germany after he was diagnosed with a tumor. While recovering from this surgery in November, Porter was also diagnosed with PTSD and transported to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for treatment.
Porter is an athlete and felt that staying active would help him recover sooner. When his athletic prowess was discovered, coaches started working with him more seriously and intensely.
What started as therapy has now become a victory for himself, the Texas National Guard and his nation.
Porter said that he wanted to dedicate the medal to the Soldiers of the 136th in Tyler, Texas, who recently returned from Afghanistan.
Porter is one of two Army National Guard Soldiers competing in the games, and will undoubtedly await a victor’s homecoming in the small town of Tyler.