Eighteen Sailors and one Coast Guardsman represented the U.S. Team during the opening ceremony for the second Invictus Games on May 8 in Orlando, Florida.

The athletes are part of the 113-member U.S. roster competing for gold in the international paralympic-style multi-sport event, open to all wounded, injured and ill military personnel and veterans.

This is the first opportunity for the U.S. to host the games.

Just before taking the field for the ceremonies, the U.S. team was visited by First Lady Michelle Obama and Invictus Games founder Prince Harry of Wales to wish them well in their upcoming competitions. The pair took time to pose with athletes, snapping selfies and offering words of encouragement.

"I'm really thankful that [Prince Harry and the First Lady] are coming out and supporting the events" said retired Navy Airman Sadie Strong. "Prince Harry is awesome for even having this and we're looking forward to supporting it, and the same with Michelle Obama. It's really awesome to have them."

Fifteen nations will be participating in the 2016 games, which will be held through May 12 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Invictus Games was created by Prince Harry in 2014 to raise awareness of the recovery and rehabilitation that sports provide for the wounded, ill and injured service men and women who participate in them. The competitors represent the tens of thousands of service members around the globe who face the daily challenges from their wounds, illnesses and injuries, both visible and invisible.

"I see so many familiar faces: servicemen and women, their friends and their families, and all of the people who've got them here. I feel like I'm at home," said Prince Harry. "You are fierce competitors. You are role models that any parent would be proud to have their children follow... and you're about to inspire the world. I'm proud to call you my friends."

The games feature athletes from 14 nations: Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Unites States.

Sporting events include archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

Retired Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Adrian Mohammed competed in road cycling during the first day of official competition.

"So far we've been doing this for a year, maybe a year and a half, and I'm very proud of where we are," said Mohammed. "I didn't know what I was getting into, and getting more races under my belt allows me to train more to what I need to do before the next one."

All Navy and Coast Guard competitors are enrolled in the Navy Installations Command-managed Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor program. The Navy and Coast Guard's support program for wounded warriors and their families.

Adaptive sports - athletics activities modified to meet the needs of those with disabilities - are among the many services provided by NWW.

To learn more about the Invictus Games, and to access a complete Team USA roster, visit http://www.invictusgames2016.org.

To learn more about NWW, visit http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil, or follow the program on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/navywoundedwarrior.

For more news from Navy Installations Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cni.

For more news from Commander, Navy Installations Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.