A Commander and Chief's duty to those who served him doesn't end after leaving office. Former President George W. Bush was on deck aboard a retired aircraft carrier on Thursday to cheer on a one-of-a-kind volleyball match between players without the use of two legs.
Bush is honorary chairman of the 2016 Invictus Games, which will be hosted in May in Orlando, Florida. According to the Military Times, more than 500 veterans and military servicemembers from 15 countries will attend the games, where they'll compete in 10 sports adapted to their condition.
"Those who wear their Nation's uniform, some of whom have overcome both visible and invisible injuries, deserve our support," said Bush in a statement. "I'm proud to serve as honorary chairman of the Invictus Games 2016, and to shine a spotlight on the unconquered spirit of these men and women, not just from the American team but from 15 Coalition nations."
Speaking aboard New York's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, formerly the USS Intrepid – which survived torpedo and kamikaze attacks in World War II – Bush then sat to watch the wheelchair bound teams glide seamlessly across the court, refusing to be inhibited by their disabilities.
Prince Harry of Britain founded the Invictus Games last year. Ken Fisher, the chair and CEO of the Orlando games, is respected among veterans for his custom of building no-cost homes for men and women in their life after service as they seek treatment.
"We are thrilled to co-host the first policy symposium on the invisible wounds of war and the role sports and physical activity have in a warrior's recovery," said Fisher. "We must continue the dialogue that will inspire these men and women to re-engage, to embody what they can do and shine a light in the often dark and isolated area of invisible injuries."