Wrigley Field hosts Family Day for Warrior Games athletes

CHICAGO (WLS) -- They've been competing all week, but the Warrior Games athletes took the day off to enjoy 4th of July festivities.

Wounded heroes with Team Army got up close and personal with some Chicago Cubs before watching the game.

"To be out here you know, World Series champs. It's amazing; I'm definitely loving it," U.S. Army Sgt. Charles Hightower said.

They've been competing all week, but the Warrior Games athletes took the day off to enjoy 4th of July festivities.

Warrior games athletes took over the field at Wrigley, getting facetime, autographs and pictures with Cubs players.

"World class, A-1 treatment from city of Chicago all the way around," U.S. Army Master Sgt. Jovan Bowser said.

Team Army's Julie Oliveri talks about the role the Warrior Games play in a wounded soldier's recovery.

Wrigley Field hosted Family Day on Tuesday for Warrior Games athletes. It was a dream come true for Sgt. Hightower to be face-to-face with the world champion players.

"I just take every second, every moment that I have on this earth as a blessing and I am definitely grateful," Sgt. Hightower said.

Sgt. Hightower was injured in 2011 serving in Iraq. He's undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. This is his first time competing in the Warrior Games.

"Having the Warrior Games, it shows you can complete on a high level. It shows at the end of the day you still never give up and I will never give up," he said.

Sgt. Hightower will compete with teammate Master Sgt. Bowser in several of the eight adaptive sports. For both soldiers, the Warrior Games mean more than competition - but a new source of hope and support.

"Once I got injured it was kind of difficult because I couldn't do the things I used to do," Master Sgt. Bowser said. "To have someone else that has been some of the same things you've been through, lift you up can't you know. It's just what the Army and what any military service is about."

Elana Ross talks about how BBMC Mortgage became a sponsor for the Warrior Games.

More than 260 wounded warriors are competing in the games here in Chicago. Wednesday is field competition at Soldier Field. The Warrior Games run through Saturday.

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