Wounded Warriors Athletes Come to Port Hueneme for Training Camp

Naval Base Ventura County is hosting the first training camp for wounded warrior athletes of Team Navy in 2014.

The week-long training camp brings together 40 wounded sailors who are preparing to compete at the 2014 Warrior Games, which will take place Sept. 28 through Oct. 4 in Colorado Springs. The team was selected after last month’s intensely competitive Wounded Warriors Team Navy Trials in Virginia.

The athletes training at Port Huneme all have a story to tell.

Redmond Ramos lost his leg three years ago in Afghanistan while serving as a combat replacement in the Marines.

“To me it was no question. I knew I just wanted to get amputated because I knew I would have a great life,” said Ramos.

“I just happened to step on an IED and I really lucked out, just lost one leg after the fact below the knee, which compared to all the other guys is definitely a paper cut.”

Ramos credits the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation, his nurses and his doctors for getting him back on his feet.

“I was able to walk again in three weeks after losing my leg and then he got me running in about three months. I was starting to run (chuckles) but not well, but it just keeps getting better from there,” said Ramos.

Ramos says being a part of the Wounded Warrior’s Games is about a lot more than just the competition.

“It’s a new family that I have. Some of the people are people I never would have met. If it wasn’t for this program and it is just great that I really have gotten so close with these people, we really have just become a family,” said Ramos.

Nineteen members of Team Navy, including Ramos will represent the U.S. at the INVICTUS games in London coming this September.