Major Lee McCain, a Louisiana National Guardsman who is originally from Franklinton, represented the United States as a physical therapist at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands, April 16 - 22.
Although in the Louisiana National Guard, Major McCain is currently assigned to the regular Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he serves as a holistic health and fitness physical therapist for the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
He is a 2001 graduate of Franklinton High School and was selected as Mr. FHS in 2001.
Major McCain has been in the Louisiana National Guard for 22 years, and he served a one-year active duty deployment in Bagram, Afghanistan in 2003.
The Invictus Games is an international sporting event held since 2014 for wounded, injured and sick service members, both currently serving and veterans. ‘Invictus’ means ‘unconquered’ in Latin and represents the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick and what they can achieve after their injuries. More than 500 participants played ten sports: athletics, weightlifting, hand archery, indoor rowing, Land Rover Driving Challenge, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, cycling, sitting volleyball and swimming.
“Working at the Invictus Games was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and has been the highlight of my physical therapy career,” said McCain. “Like wearing the uniform, it gave me a great sense of pride and patriotism to be able to be a representative of our country on an international level.”
McCain was recommended for the position by the 7th Special Forces Group’s physical therapist due to his reputation of having exceptional clinical skills and his ability to work well with every team. He then was interviewed and selected by the medical lead for Team USA.
At the Invictus Games, McCain served as a physical therapist for U.S. service members and veterans participating in the event. He provided physical therapy care for the U.S. Invictus team while they trained at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, and while they participated in the games overseas.
“The most meaningful part of the games was the ability to work with and build relationships with our warriors from across the Department of Defense,” said McCain.
“The men and women athletes of the Invictus Games are an amazing group of individuals who have overcome much adversity. It was an incredible experience to watch them continue to push the boundaries of their physical and mental limits. They put on a display of the human spirit and showed what we are truly capable of.”
Major McCain is the son of Kelvin and Kay McCain of Franklinton. His dad, Kelvin, is also a physical therapist and is the well-known director of CARE Physical Therapy in Franklinton. His mother, Kay, has been with the Washington Parish Assessor’s Office for many years.
Lee is engaged to Captain Rebekah Schott, an Army dentist at Fort Bragg.
He graduated with a degree in Kinesiology from LSU and became a Doctor of Physical Therapy at St. Augustine University in 2010.
Lee grew up in Centenary United Methodist Church in Franklinton, which he still attends when he is in town. His grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Richardson, was the long-time secretary at Centenary before her retirement.
