The Invictus Games Orlando 2016, presented by Jaguar Land Rover and taking place from May 8-12 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, this week was honored to deliver the Invictus Games Flag that will fly over the Games in Orlando to President George W. Bush, the Honorary Chairman of the 2016 Invictus Games, at an event at the Bush Institute in Dallas.
The Invictus Games Flag will be on display at the Bush Presidential Library & Museum until May 3, 2016.
“I am honored to serve as the Honorary Chairman of the 2016 Invictus Games,” said President Bush, who then outlined the goals of the Invictus Games Policy Symposium on Invisible Wounds Presented by the Bush Institute, which is being held at Invictus Games Orlando 2016. “Using our platform at the Invictus Games, we are going to discuss how best to help our service men and women recover from the invisible wounds of war. We intend to call attention to the stigmas associated with these wounds so that they can overcome them and continue to contribute mightily to our country.”
“We are truly honored to have President George W. Bush serving as the Honorary Chairman of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016,” said David Coker, president of the Invictus Games 2016 Organizing Committee. “President Bush has dedicated himself to honoring and serving our wounded, ill and injured military personnel and his support of the Games and our competitors is immeasurable.”
This is the second U.S. stop the Invictus Games Flag will make on its way to Orlando. Previously, it was at the Intrepid Museum in New York City. Captain Reynolds recently received the Invictus Games Flag from Invictus Games Foundation Patron Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace in London.
“It was a privilege and honor to present the Invictus Games Flag to President Bush,” said Captain Reynolds. “Our team is training hard to represent the United States of America and we are very appreciative of all the support President Bush has given us on our journeys to recovery and to the Invictus Games.”
“I’m looking forward to see you all again next month in Orlando. It’s going to be awesome,” President Bush told the competitors.
Captain Reynolds ultimately lost his left leg above the knee after an IED in Iraq and endured 26 surgeries. Since his injury, Captain Reynolds has become a husband, a father to four, earned a Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Public Health, embarked on a career with Deloitte and become a world class adaptive sports athlete.
The Invictus Games Flag tour is symbolic of the journey the men and women competing in the games followed in their recoveries, and will travel all the way to Orlando for the Games. The goal of the tour is to encourage support and participation in the Invictus Games 2016 but also educate audiences about the power of sports in recovery and to honor the brave sacrifices of all our service members and their families. The Games are a phenomenal chance to support men and women in uniform who will showcase true spirit and determination while being part of a unique, action-packed sporting event.
On May 8th, the Bush Institute will present the Invictus Games Policy Symposium on Invisible Wounds, an international conversation to address the invisible wounds of war, specifically traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, and other psychological health issues. In preparation for next month’s event, today the Bush Institute released several interactive communications pieces here.
Building on its sponsorship of the inaugural games in London in 2014, Jaguar Land Rover continues its partnership with Invictus Games as Presenting Partner for Orlando 2016. The official flag vehicle, the specially commissioned Jaguar F-PACE, delivered the Invictus Games Flag and US Team Captain Will Reynolds and Ken Fisher to the Bush Institute. In addition, Jaguar Land Rover will sponsor the U.S. and UK Teams competing in Orlando.
Fans can go here to purchase tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The Invictus Games Flag is emblazoned with “I AM.”
I AM is the symbolic representation of the Invictus Games. It is inspired by the final two lines of a poem – ‘Invictus’ – by William Ernest Henley:
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
The speaker in the poem proclaims his strength in the face of adversity. In the same way, I AM reflects and defines the core purpose of the Invictus Games: to provide a platform for personal achievement and not be defined by wounds or injury, and to prove that I AM.
Thousands of friends, family and fans will come together for an unforgettable four days of competition and celebrate the accomplishments, victories and unbreakable spirits of more than 500 competitors representing 14 nations.
