The 14th annual Valor Games Midwest opened in Chicago this week, convening veterans from across the country for three days of adaptive sports, competition and community support. Events were staged near Soldier Field with additional competitions and programming in Lincoln Park and McKinley Park, organizers said.
National competitors, local settings
Organizers said the multi-day competition is designed to provide veterans with disabilities—and their peers—opportunities to test themselves athletically while building social connections. The event features adaptive versions of traditional sports and includes a resource fair that connects former service members with medical and veteran-support organizations.
Ricardo Lara of the Chicago Park District described the gathering as a reunion of sorts for the veteran community.
"Tons of veterans come out from all over the country, and this is the time they get to see their friends. So we're always excited for that," Lara said.
Competition, camaraderie and care
Among the participants was Janice Copeland, a veteran of Operation Desert Storm who traveled from Atlanta to take part. Copeland competed in the biathlon and earned a medal. She said peer encouragement was a meaningful piece of the experience.
"For me, just completing the task was enough and just to hear other veterans telling you, 'you got it. You can do it.' It really boosts my spirit," Copeland said.
Army veteran Brian Harris, who served in the Iraq war, also medaled and outlined how regular competition helps him push physical limits. "I did the rowing; I did biathlon just today, and I'm scheduled to do two more events tomorrow and two more Thursday," Harris said.
Health outreach part of the program
The Valor Games included a resource fair intended to connect attendees with clinical and advocacy groups. Representatives from the National Headache Foundation were at the event to promote Operation Brainstorm, an initiative aimed at helping veterans navigate care for migraine and headache disorders.
Diego Colon of the foundation noted a significant disparity in headache prevalence between veterans and the general population. He cited a figure showing that a substantial share of veterans live with headache or migraine disorders.
| Group | Estimated prevalence |
|---|---|
| Veterans | 36% |
| Non-veterans | Approximately half the veteran rate |
Colon emphasized the importance of awareness and tailored care for this population, noting the higher burden of headache disorders among veterans.
Event schedule and impact
According to organizers, the games continued Wednesday with additional events and community programming in Lincoln Park and concluded Thursday at McKinley Park, capped by a final awards ceremony. The competition format mixes individual and team events and is structured so participants of differing abilities can compete safely and fairly.
Event backers and participants said the competition’s value extends beyond medals: the gathering functions as both a competitive outlet and a place to link veterans to services ranging from medical care to social supports. Those services were on display at the resource fair, which drew organizations focused on physical rehabilitation, mental health resources and condition-specific care.
- 14th annual Valor Games Midwest: three-day adaptive sports festival
- Locations: near Soldier Field, Lincoln Park, McKinley Park
- Features: adaptive competition, resource fair, awards ceremony
For many competitors, the games represent progress on multiple fronts: physical rehabilitation, social reconnection and access to specialized health resources. As participants return home, organizers and partner groups hope the momentum generated in Chicago will translate into sustained activity, better access to care and strengthened veteran networks nationwide.
