Burkett Bow Competition Sponsorship
Donation protected
In April 2012, while flying in support of Operation African Lion in a remote area of southern Morocco, Marine Corps Major Eric Burkett was involved in an MV-22 Osprey crash. He was one of two survivors.
As a result of injuries sustained, he is a below-the-knee amputee and his left leg is badly damaged.
Part of his therapy is adaptive archery. It motivated him to get out of his room, out of the hospital, and allowed him to focus on something other than his disabilities and limitations. It also gave him something to look forward to doing.
Over a year later, he was competing and doing quite well. He won some regional disabled veterans tournaments and won a national tournament.
That is where he met members of the United States Para Archery Team (USAT) and realized he had a new dream.
After much effort, he earned a place with the USAT and to compete in the 2016 Paralympics. Two months later he had a setback requiring multiple surgeries and a fight with a deadly MRSA infection. He had to step back from this dream. But Eric kept training.
Despite this adversity, he strived for excellence in archery, earning his National Level Coaching Certification from the Head Coach of USA Archery at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California in December 2016.
Eric is now ready to try again to attain his dream of becoming a paralympic athlete.
The way ahead: To accomplish his dream, there are several national and international level USAT Qualifying tournaments he must attend to once again earn his place on the USAT.
Funds from this campaign will help Eric continue to heal from the wounds of war and achieve his dream of becoming a paralympic athlete.
As a result of injuries sustained, he is a below-the-knee amputee and his left leg is badly damaged.
Part of his therapy is adaptive archery. It motivated him to get out of his room, out of the hospital, and allowed him to focus on something other than his disabilities and limitations. It also gave him something to look forward to doing.
Over a year later, he was competing and doing quite well. He won some regional disabled veterans tournaments and won a national tournament.
That is where he met members of the United States Para Archery Team (USAT) and realized he had a new dream.
After much effort, he earned a place with the USAT and to compete in the 2016 Paralympics. Two months later he had a setback requiring multiple surgeries and a fight with a deadly MRSA infection. He had to step back from this dream. But Eric kept training.
Despite this adversity, he strived for excellence in archery, earning his National Level Coaching Certification from the Head Coach of USA Archery at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California in December 2016.
Eric is now ready to try again to attain his dream of becoming a paralympic athlete.
The way ahead: To accomplish his dream, there are several national and international level USAT Qualifying tournaments he must attend to once again earn his place on the USAT.
Funds from this campaign will help Eric continue to heal from the wounds of war and achieve his dream of becoming a paralympic athlete.
Organizer and beneficiary
Calvin Coolidge
Organizer
Jacksonville, NC
Eric Burkett
Beneficiary