Invictus Games Flame Lands At Centre That Saved Wounded Soldiers

Emotional scenes welcomed the Invictus Games 'Spirit Flame' as it landed in Germany before travelling to a medical centre for wounded soldiers.

The flame, which was lit in a moving ceremony at the Afghanistan Presidential Palace in Kabul earlier this month, represents wounded warriors' spirit that, despite injury or illness, burns bright.

In a poignant journey, the stop at Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre, a surgical treatment centre for wounded soldiers, including those who were injured in Afghanistan, was the second in a sequence that will retrace the passage home that many Invictus Games competitors have endured.

Invictus Games Toronto 2017 Team Canada members Cpl (retired) Chris Klodt (pictured top, right), and co-captain Maj Simon Mailloux (left) were in Germany to receive the flame and to thank the medical staff there for saving their lives and returning them home to their families. Major Mailloux said:

"A return to LRMC for me is quite an emotional time. This is where 10 years ago I was struggling for my life and I lost my leg. This is where doctors and nurses kept me alive."

Cpl (retired) Klodt, meanwhile, said: "For me the return to Landstuhl is an opportunity to express my gratitude to the people who made it possible for me to make the flight home. Not only were they good to me but I am forever grateful for the way they cared for my family during such a horrific time."

The flame's journey will end at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony in Toronto on September 23, where it will be carried onto the stage by a Canadian competitor and their family.

Michael Burns, CEO of the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, said: "As preparations for the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 reach their final phase, it is important to take a moment to remember why we are doing this.

"The brave men and women who arrived here were, for perhaps the first time in their lives, badly in need of someone else's help. And they received it." 

"Here in Germany at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center with the help of the outstanding medical staff and the support for the families from Fisher House, they were able to begin to rebuild their lives.

"Without the care that they received here, many would not have made the journey to Invictus Games competitor and to be on their way to Toronto in September."

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The Invictus Games have been taking place every year since 2014 after being established by Prince Harry to help wounded warriors on their journey to recovery.

The Toronto games are set to feature 550 competitors from 17 nations participating in 12 adaptive sports, including, for the first time, golf. 

Canadian Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Eleanor McMahon, said: "Having the Spirit Flame follow the path wounded soldiers take to get home, honours their courage and dedication. It also marks the final countdown for the 2017 Invictus Games and reminds us of the unique opportunity the Games present for service members to build camaraderie and rediscover a sense of belonging. 

"I look forward to welcoming the competitors to Ontario in September and being inspired by the dedication of these wounded warriors to compete and push themselves to their limit."

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Mayor of the host city, Toronto, John Tory said:

"There are less than two months to go until the Invictus Games and Toronto is ready to receive the Spirit Flame, cheer on the competitors and warmly welcome their friends, family and fans. We look forward to demonstrating why we are the greatest city in the world."