When wounded U.S. military veterans return from oversees, a little support can go a long way in helping them readjust to civilian life.

That’s why organizers of Saturday’s Black Belt Wounded Warrior Association Track and Field Program at Memorial Stadium are already looking to next year in order to keep showing their support for wounded veterans.

Selma welcomed U.S. military veterans, as volunteers and high school students from around the area showed their support, competing with veterans in a track meet at Memorial Stadium.

Buddy James, one of the event’s organizers, said Saturday’s event laid the groundwork for next year, and while some groups pulled out prior to the event due to the high temperatures, a strong foundation has already been built for next year.

“This is a pilot program, and the key is that we’ve got the foundation built — it’s here today,” James said. “What we need to do is build on that foundation just like you do with a strong house, we’re going to build a strong athletic event right here in Selma for our veterans so that they will come back next spring. We’re looking at March or April next year to put on a dynamite program, and we hope at that time we’ll have 20 schools here.”

One veteran who participated was Dozer Reed of Shreveport, La., who works with the Wounded Warrior Project as a peer mentor, and is a wounded veteran himself, having served with the Marine Corps in Iraq in 2004-2005.

Reed was injured in a convoy going from Camp Anaconda back into Baghdad, cracked a couple of thoracic vertebrae, and got multiple levels of spinal cord damage, as he’s had six surgeries to his back and a plate and seven screws in his ankle.

Reed said his job is to motivate wounded veterans to keep moving forward.

“Currently, I volunteer with the Wounded Warrior Project as a peer mentor. I work with guys with PTSD, TBI’s, and things of that nature to continue to empower them and just let them know that, basically, what we’ve gone through is not who we are. It’s something that’s happened to us, it’s just a highlight in another chapter in a great life. And it’s just getting them the motivation to keep driving on, keep succeeding in the face of adversity. It’s an amazing project, I believe in it and I do it with everything I’ve got.”

Reed added that community events like this one are a great way to show support.

“Coming out here with these guys to work with some of the veterans, some of the youth to incorporate this in the community, I think it’s a phenomenal idea,” Reed said. “Some of these guys, for them to be able to see what we go through on a daily basis and for us to be able to incorporate with those guys and continue to compete, and continue to motivate instead of sitting around and kind of wasting away, it’s awesome just to get the community involved in this.”

Community members, amputees from the Christian Amputee Support Team, as well as local students from Dallas County High School and Morgan Academy also came out to show support.

John Nettles of Morgan Academy, said it’s just one way to give back to those who have given up so much for their country.

“These veterans went to far away places for a very long time, and a good bit of them lost a limb or took a bullet, and I thought I’d try to give back at least a little bit,” Nettles said. “I was just going to try to give back a little bit for what they gave to us.”

William Maze of Dallas County High School agreed that showing support is a great way to give back.

“I came out in order to support the veterans. A lot of people don’t normally do it,” Maze said, “but seeing as I just graduated high school, I just feel like it’s my job to give a little bit back to the community because they’ve already given to us. I think it’s important to do so because it’s a part of our heritage as Americans. We should support the people that are on the front lines for us as we’re trying to make our way in our daily lives.”

Jeremy Deneve of Prattville, a veteran of the U.S. Army who participated to show support, said the event was another way to show veterans that people care.

“I think it’s awesome. Veterans come home, they feel welcomed, loved, proud and honored to serve their country, family and communities,” Deneve said.

“To have the community embrace the soldiers, especially wounded soldiers, makes them feel like they’re not even disabled or wounded. They’re just another part of society and I think they make the community even better, richer and fuller.”