The Athletes Visit the Pentagon

Those who are old enough to remember will never forget what happened on September 11, 2001.

Some of the 2010 U.S. Olympians and Paralympians gathered together at the Pentagon in remembrance of the brave souls who gave the greatest sacrifice. For some of the athletes, such as speedskater Katherine Reutter, it was their first time at the Pentagon; while for others, like Heath Calhoun, it was returning to a piece of their previous lives in the military.

The athletes had a chance to experience the new 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon that was dedicated in 2008. They were also given a guided tour of the inside of the Pentagon, where they met with Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert Gates.

“I’d never seen it (the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon) before,” said James Connelly, a two-time Paralympian in sled hockey. “All of the thought and attention to the little things was really…I don’t know if cool is the right word, but it was cool—very touching.”

U.S. Paralympic alpine skier Heath Calhoun presented the Secretary of Defense with a gift on behalf of Team USA as well as a signed photograph by the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Team. Calhoun is a former military servicemember who served in Iraq with the U.S. Army and lost both of his lower legs after a rocket-propelled grenade hit his convoy. The Secretary went on to thank Calhoun and the other military Olympians and Paralympians for their dedicated service.

Even for those Olympians and Paralympians who have visited Washington, D.C., either as a part of Team USA, or on their own, things always change from one visit to the next. Sometimes the changes are structural and sometimes the changes are on a more personal level.

“I’ve been to the Pentagon before, after Torino, but this time was more special because we got to go around more and see Washington and what goes on behind the scenes,” said Connelly.”

Many of the Paralympians who toured the Pentagon went on to visit injured military servicemembers at the Walter Reed Hospital and lend their support and provide encouragement to them as they heal from both their physical and emotional pain.

Tags: James Connelly, Katherine Reutter, Pentagon, Rebecca Johnson, Washington D.C.