Vol. 74, No. 39 Sept. 30, 2016 argetidentified Photo by Sgt. Tia Sokimson Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat While at NTC, the brigade was involved in decisive-action training to include area Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct a combined-arms breach during Decisive Action defenses, attacks, counterattacks and movement to contact to prepare its Soldiers Rotation 16-09 at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, Calif., Sept. 5. for future missions. See story on pages 16-17. Paralympian sets world record By Scott Prater event, where she swam the breast stroke leg. “The people in Rio were very nice, welcoming Mountaineer staff “When I exited the pool, I didn’t know I’d even and kind,” she said. “That was a big takeaway for me, won, let alone set a world record,” she said. “I can’t see just how personable and proud of their culture they Sgt. Elizabeth Marks recently returned home from when I’m swimming, so my coach ended up telling me were. And Rio was beautiful — very green. All of the the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with a several minutes later.” events and schedules were well organized, and you could pair of Paralympic medals. The victory capped a whirlwind of a year for tell that the organizers were cognizant of people who Making her Paralympic Games debut, the World the WCAP athlete who only began swimming a few had different disabilities because we had all of the Class Athlete Program (WCAP) swimmer not only years ago as rehabilitation for a bilateral hip injury appropriate ramps and access features.” earned a gold medal in the 100-meter breast stroke she suffered while serving as a medic in Iraq in 2010. Once the swimming competition began on day three, (SB7 category) but also set a world record in the event She said the Rio de Janeiro Games provided a truly Marks said she transitioned into competition mode and with a winning time of 1 minute, 28.13 seconds. In unique and unforgettable life experience, providing outside distractions seemed to dissipate somewhat. her fi nal swimming event a few days later, Marks also pristine venues, the Paralympic village and interacting claimed a bronze medal in the 200-meter medley relay with elite-level Paralympians from around the world. See Gold on Page 4 Message board Inside Carson kicks off CFC The Combined Federal Campaign Kickoff Chili Cook-Off is at 11 a.m. Thursday at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. See Page 4 for more information. Page 10 Page 15 Page 3 2 MOUNTAINEER — Sept. 30, 2016 Commentary MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: FVAP issues tips for absentee voting aGenRanFGonsales Federal Voting Assistance Program Garrison Commander: Col. Ronald P. Fitch Jr. ALEXANDRIA, Va. — With arrison ublic ffairs ffi cer Dee McNutt less than two months until the general election Nov. 8, absentee Chief, Print and Web Communications: voters are beginning to receive Rick Emert their state ballots. During Absentee Voting Week, Editor: einFisher which started Monday, the Federal Staff writers: Lally Laksbergs Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Scott Prater reminds military and overseas citizens to submit their ballot as Sports writer: Walt Johnson soon as possible and to follow up to ensure their ballot is received Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall by their election offi ce. 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Post weather hotline 526-0096 Sept. 30, 2016 — MOUNTAINEER 3 News Former sergeant awarded Purple Heart decade later Story and photo by Scott Prater As his family and friends looked on, Retired Sgt. taking machine gun fire. After pulling an injured squad Mountaineer staff Cyrus Field stood at attention as Maj. Gen. Ryan F. member out of the burning vehicle, Field suffered injuries Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort to his left arm and right leg when a final IED exploded. Eleven years after an improvised explosive device Carson, pinned the medal to his chest. “I still have shrapnel embedded in the back of my shortened his Army career, a retired Fort Carson Soldier “It was a surprise to have the commanding general leg,” he said.