A Royal Vision for Healing
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, continues to leave an indelible mark on the veteran community through his brainchild, the Invictus Games Foundation. Honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the upcoming ESPY Awards, Harry, 39, humbly shares, “This one is for our entire service community.”

From Soldier to Advocate
After a decade-long career in the British Armed Forces, including two tours in Afghanistan, Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014. His mission? To empower wounded, sick, and injured servicemen and women through the transformative power of sports. Over the years, the Games have grown into a global phenomenon, impacting soldiers in dozens of countries.

A Personal Mission
Harry’s commitment to the cause is deeply personal. He told PEOPLE in 2022, “I truly believe that we are at our best when we’re in service to others, and Invictus is all about upholding that value.”

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Kuwada, a Team USA competitor at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, described Harry as “just like one of the guys,” adding, “He makes you feel like you’ve known him forever.” Kuwada emphasized the healing power of the Games, saying, “I’m so grateful that Prince Harry put this together for us veterans to come together and use this as part of our healing process. And we are, we’re healing, because everybody is smiling.”

Connecting with Competitors
Harry’s approachability and genuine interest in the competitors’ stories are a hallmark of his involvement. Retired U.S. Army Captain Will Reynolds praised Harry’s accessibility, noting, “It’s a deeply personal cause for him. He makes himself really accessible to all the competitors – he is involved in every aspect of the Games.”

Katie Kuiper, a former Army staff sergeant who served in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, affirmed the Games’ significance: “They are really making a difference in people’s lives.”

A Brotherhood Beyond Borders
Gabriel “Gabe” George of Team USA highlighted the camaraderie Harry fosters, sharing, “Every conversation that I’ve had with him has been just like I’m talking to a friend, a brother, maybe because of the military connection that we have. We share where we just left off. The conversation just continues to go on.”

Canadian archer Mike Bourgeois echoed this sentiment, noting Harry’s genuine interest in understanding the athletes’ journeys. “His focus is on understanding the athletes. It’s about recognizing those embarking on a journey of recovery. That’s what drives him,” Bourgeois told PEOPLE.

A Greater Purpose
Harry’s dedication extends beyond the Games themselves. He emphasizes the importance of listening to military and veteran families, gaining insights that inform and enhance the Invictus mission. “Creating the Games involved listening to military and veteran families — and hearing directly from them about their lives — and that offered so much perspective. It’s been a lesson in serving a purpose greater than ourselves, and the benefit that comes from that extends to both the individual and the community,” Harry explained.

The Invictus Games stand as a testament to Prince Harry’s unwavering commitment to supporting and uplifting the veteran community. Through his leadership, the Games have not only provided a platform for healing and camaraderie but have also inspired countless individuals worldwide. As Harry continues to champion this noble cause, the impact of the Invictus Games will undoubtedly resonate for generations to come.

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Source: https://people.com/prince-harry-invictus-games-transforming-veterans-8673178