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MARIETTA, Ga. – Retired Georgia Army National Guard Captain Frank Barroqueiro doesn’t think of himself as a champion.
Nor that he would become a Warrior Games multi-medalist in air-pistol and archery.
“It has all been surreal, actually,” said Barroqueiro, a New Jersey transplant who calls Gainesville, Ga. home. “To think, I never shot a bow before and to serve as captain of the U.S. Army 2014 Warrior Games team it has been a testament to resiliency.”
Barroqueiro has always embraced a challenge. He and his wife, Bethany, transplanted from up-north to north Georgia and he began teaching eighth-grade science at Chestatee Middle School.
As if molding young minds weren’t enough of a challenging opportunity Barroqueiro then donned a new Kevlar, (a protective combat helmet), and became the leader of infantrymen as company commander of the Georgia National Guard’s Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade.
It would be this role that would present his next challenge and define his destiny.
“I was shot during a firefight the night of Aug. 27 in Afghanistan,” Barroqueiro recalled of the intense engagement in 2009. Although he doesn’t go into detail, his eyes tell of the ferocity and his body language shows the pride he carries knowing his Georgia Guardsmen and Afghan Soldiers prevailed that day.
“If you train hard, you will not only be hard …”
From the Bagram, Afghanistan triage and treatment facility to Landstuhl, Germany then finally Walter Reed Military Hospital, the journey to a final prognosis was as long and painful as his recovery would be.
It was not until he had a matter-of-fact conversation with his doctor that Barroqueiro was confronted with a truth he actively avoided.
“The Doc just looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘I’m taking that arm’,” recalled Barroqueiro.
Lying in his hospital room late one evening he switched to a bow-hunting show on television and decided that this was going to be his new challenge.
“I had about twelve surgeries to save my arm,” the labyrinth of bone and tissue repulsed some of the most seasoned caregivers he explained. “And the surgeon said I would never be able to (enjoy archery).”
Archery was new to Capt. Barroqueiro, commander, and he often felt left out prior to deployment as his 1st Sgt., and many of his infantrymen, including his medic were avid bow hunters.
Patient Barroqueiro decided that taking ‘No’ was a personal affront to his determination and invoked his military discipline to achieve his goals.
“You’ll be hard to beat!”
Finally home, Barroqueiro reported to the unit he once commanded and was assigned to the community-based care arm of the U.S. Army’s Warrior Transition Command.
Rehabilitation was now his full-time job with the Georgia National Guard and he took up the challenge of doing the impossible.
“I had never felt the pull of a bow in my life but now was as good a time as any.”
Barroqueiro took on the challenge of rehabilitation with a disciplined aggression that fueled his inner competitive spirit.
On the qualification circuit leading to the selection of teams to represent the Army at Warrior Games he found himself surrounded.
“There were people just like me who were told they would never be able to do the things they enjoyed before they were injured,” Barroqueiro said. “It was where I belonged and when you’re told over and over you can’t you look at, (veterans like) Thornton and know resiliency is key.”
Retired Arkansas Army National Guardsman, Sgt. Lance Thornton, lost his hand on a road in Baghdad Iraq in 2007. He had been shooting with a compound bow since he was 7-years old and when he awakened in hospital it never occurred to him to look for his hand.
The determination not to give in was tested as the 29-year old tried to imagine not feeling the pull of his bow. The bow was an extension of him so he pled his case to the Fort Sam Houston, Texas certified prosthetic orthotic, and fellow hunter, who eventually became a close friend.
Collaborating on a prosthetic design an arm specifically for compound archery was created and Thornton was back on his game.
“The way I see it, there are two ways to deal with this,” he said, raising his prosthetic right arm to draw. “I can roll over and be dead; be a person that gives up and nobody wants to be around …,” he pauses listening for consistency in his shot. A swoosh whistle and gentle thump follows.
“Or I can deal with it,” he finishes; confidence comes in the form of a smile. “I’m gonna play the hand I was dealt.”
Thornton and Barroqueiro earned seats on Team Army in 2013.
In the spring of 2013 Team Army swept the Warrior Games archery competition with Georgia Army National Guardsmen Barroqueiro and then Staff Sgt. Eddie Patton taking individual gold medals in both compound and recurve (traditional bow) respectively.
Both were added onto their archery discipline’s three-man team roster, Barroqueiro for compound and Patton for recurve and Patton, again wrested the top spot from Team Marines.
Herschel Walker!
As a supporter of veterans it is not uncommon for native Georgian, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL star and former MMA fighter Herschel Walker to walk amongst those he calls ‘true heroes.’
Barroqueiro is a fan of the gridiron juggernaut as well as a fellow University of Georgia alumnus. When Walker happened upon him the steely-eyed, rock solid competitor turned into a star struck fan faster than his arrow could hit its mark.
“I saw that ‘G’ all the way from over” there,” Walker said smiling simultaneously extending his hand and arm for a shake and a hug acknowledging the UGA logo of their shared alma mater.
The 2013 Warrior Games gold medalist had no problem reciprocating.
“Yes sir it is,” Barroqueiro responded with eyes as wide as his target.
“Lance!” Barroqueiro yelled to his teammate, Thornton. “Get over here there’s someone I need you to meet! Gotta introduce you to my inspiration, sir.”
Obliging with photos, and a much-coveted autograph on Barroqueiro’s winning target, Walker promised they would chat soon and Barroqueiro felt life couldn’t get much better for him and his family.
“Captain, My Captain!”
The launch of the 2014 British Invictus Games, inspired by the Warrior Games, would showcase the abilities of Wounded Warrior teams from around the world at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Hosted by the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry, (“yep, I met him too,” Barroqueiro added), the U.S. team would be service integrated.
He was selected for the inaugural team but had to offer his regrets. He was also invited to be a part of the 2016 Paralympic archery team along with Thornton and Patton but had to turn down that privilege as well.
“This year with my retirement and other family stuff the time isn’t there,” Barroqueiro said of declining the offers. “I’m deeply honored, make no mistake, but I’ve got a long way to go to feel comfortable on those levels.”
Instead he committed to a second year as a shooter with Team Army for Warrior Games 2014.
As the Army team captain, his role shifted focus as he encouraged his teammates, and as seen in side conversations with opposing military service competitors, to strive for gold.
Speaking briefly by phone with one of his former platoon leaders and then later with the Georgia Army National Guard’s Command Sgt. Major, Philip Stringfield, prior to his match, Barroqueiro felt a surge of confidence.
Stringfield has been a constant and strong supporter of Barroqueiro’s. In 2009 Stringfield was the 2nd Bn., 121st Infantry Regiment’s command Sgt. Major and Delta Company his responsibility.
During Barroqueiro’s rehabilitation and subsequent preparation for varying competitions the archer used his unit’s armory for indoor practices with his National Guard leadership’s support.
“The desire and ability to do new things that will positively build on who we are doesn’t end at the drill hall,” Stringfield stated. “It is our responsibility, in and out of uniform, to ensure we are giving 100% to our Guardsmen, regardless if they return to the uniform or their community,”
Stepping up to the line for the archery team event Barroqueiro and his teammates shut out Team Marine Corps for a second year.
The Marines also lost to Team Army in total medal count, 71 total medals to the Corps’ 54, and with Capt. (retired) Barroqueiro at the helm it was a first in the history of the Warrior Games for the Army’s wounded, ill and injured competitors and their coaches.
“We took the Commander’s Cup!,” was heard rippling through the Army Warriors ranks as the results were announced.
As 2014 Team Army captain Barroqueiro accepted the trophy from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the U.S. Air Force vs. Navy football game in the center of Falcon Field in Colorado Springs.
Hoisting the massive trophy above his head, using the arm he was told he would never be able to use, and excelling in a sport he was told he would never be able to master, he thrust the immaculate prize in the direction of his team.
From the battlefield to a field of competition the obvious question of how to define Frank Barroqueiro was no longer valid.
“You are the champions,” Barroqueiro said as the trophy was passed around. “I was simply privileged to be your captain.”
| Date Taken: | 10.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.16.2014 13:05 |
| Story ID: | 145224 |
| Location: | MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Georgia Guardsman's resiliency lends to 2014 Warrior Game's History, by SSG Tracy Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
