Nearly 200 injured service members compete in 2026 Warrior Games
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Army Maj.Jonathan Turnbull was given 12 hours to live after an ISIS suicide bomber attacked his team in Manbij, Syria in 2019.
After seven years and 23 life-saving surgeries, he competed in the 2026 Warrior Games in San Antonio, Texas. Nearly 200 service members competed in 12 adaptive sports during the 2026 Warrior Games.All athletes have some form of service-related ailments like physical injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairments or PTSD.The 9/11 attacks inspired Maj.
Turnbull to enlist in the U.S.Army in 2004."On 9/11, I remember the day.
Everybody's got their 9/11 stories, and mine's just like everybody else's," Maj.Turnbull said.
"I was shocked, appalled, horrified, and motivated after the attacks.I wanted to do something to prevent it from ever happening again."AMERICA'S WOUNDED, STRUGGLING VETERANS GET BRAND-NEW HOMES BUILT BY FLORIDA TEENSMaj.
Jonathan Turnbull enlisted in the U.S.Army in 2004.
(Samantha Turnbull)For the next 15 years, Maj.Turnbull was involved in several missions to enhance the lives of people living in war-torn areas as a civil affairs officer for the U.S.
Special Operations Command.On Jan.15, 2019, Maj.
Turnbull was supposed to return from deployment in Syria.He decided to stay. "The Special Operations Task Force commander called me up a couple of weeks prior and said, 'John, you guys are getting after it.
You're doing a great job.Would you consider sticking around a little longer, just continuing to work to defeat ISIS?'," Maj.
Turnbull said."Without hesitation, it was, 'Yes sir, absolutely.
Put me in.Count me in.
Let's do this, you know, for freedom, for justice, for America, let's go.'"An ISIS suicide bomber attacked his team in Manbij, Syria the day after he was supposed to go home. "It started with a suicide vest.They had further plans after that, but after the suicide vest, it was catastrophic," Maj.
Turnbull said."I could have been home, but...
In the defense of freedom, in defen...