Latter-day Saint convert, Marine gears up for 2026 Warrior Games – Church News

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be a part of almost 200 wounded, sick and injured service members and veterans on the Warrior Games in San Antonio, Texas, from June 13–20.

This would be the third Warrior Games for Yen Soto, a retired main within the U.S. Marine Corps and a Latter-day Saint convert dwelling in New Bern, North Carolina. During her first Games in 2024, she broke her collarbone whereas biking. Last 12 months, she absolutely participated and described it as an “amazing experience.”

This 12 months, the 41-year-old spouse and mom of 4, who’s recovering from bilateral knee replacements and ongoing psychological well being challenges, will compete in biking, rowing, swimming, area occasions (discus and shot put), powerlifting and sitting volleyball.

“Feeling the camaraderie, the team spirit, the love that all the team members have for each other, regardless of what branch of the military you are from, it’s just a great feeling,” stated Soto, who additionally expressed gratitude for the chance to compete as a Latter-day Saint.

The Warrior Games, now in its sixteenth 12 months, honors the braveness and restoration of wounded, sick and injured service members and veterans, utilizing adaptive sports activities to advertise therapeutic and empowerment.

Participants representing all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces compete in adaptive sports activities — athletic actions modified or designed for folks with disabilities. The Warrior Games characteristic adaptive sports activities akin to archery, biking, area occasions, indoor rowing, pickleball, powerlifting, precision air sports activities, sitting volleyball, swimming, observe, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

Soto, a member of the New Bern Ward within the Morehead City North Carolina Stake, mentioned her navy profession, Latter-day Saint conversion and participation within the Warrior Games in an interview with the Church News.

U.S. Marine

Raised in Englewood, Colorado, Soto felt drawn to the navy from a younger age. When she was in grade college, she discovered a “Be a Marine” pamphlet in {a magazine}, crammed it out and despatched it in. A recruiter responded with an invite for her to strive once more when she turned 18.

She did, enlisting within the U.S. Marine Corps in July 2003.

In her almost 22 years of service, Soto superior from an enlisted Marine to employees sergeant, then commissioned and ultimately retired as a serious within the Marine Corps. The bodily calls for of her service resulted in extreme knee harm, requiring surgical procedures on each knees.

Due to her accidents, Soto was assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion, a specialised Marine Corps unit that gives management and complete assist for significantly wounded, sick and injured Marines throughout their restoration and transition.

While within the Wounded Warrior Battalion, Soto suffered additional accidents, together with a damaged collarbone, foot and finger in addition to a indifferent retina. Despite persistent ache and repeated challenges, she has remained dedicated to restoration and to supporting her fellow Marines.

Her husband, Andrew Soto, additionally served within the Marine Corps for eight years earlier than medically retiring as a sergeant in 2013.

“Being in the military gave me a sense of purpose and helped me understand how to serve others,” Yen Soto stated. “The Marine Corps really helped me to grow as a person and find the Church.”

Latter-day Saint conversion

Raised by a Buddhist mom and a Catholic father, Soto and her sister explored completely different faiths of their youth, together with a Baptist Church and a Vietnamese-speaking Catholic congregation.

When Soto joined the Marine Corps in 2003, she paused her church attendance whereas sustaining her perception in God and Jesus Christ.

In 2008, whereas deployed, Soto met her husband, who usually talked about his pals in Texas who have been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These pals invited him to Sunday companies and concerned him in neighborhood service tasks.

“When we were married, he would say, ‘If there was a church that I would belong to, it would either be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Jewish faith,’” Soto stated.

In 2014, whereas at Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia, Soto heard about an interfaith service sponsored by the Church that provided treats and snacks, together with a non-denominational religious message. She went and felt welcomed and accepted.

“They were super nice and amazing people,” she stated. “I really enjoyed being there.”

In the following months, Soto grew to become acquainted with a Latter-day Saint officer candidate and his household. As Soto’s household started attending Latter-day Saint companies, the 2 households developed a friendship, resulting in discussions with missionaries.

Soto was baptized in August 2015, and her husband selected to do the identical a number of weeks later. The choice has led to quite a few blessings for the household, most notably by means of answered prayers and assist throughout Soto’s navy service.

“I honestly don’t know how I could have made it this far without the Church,” stated Soto, who serves as second counselor within the New Bern Ward’s Relief Society presidency.

Bishop Marcus Whaley describes Soto as a disciple who overtly shares her love for the gospel whereas remaining “quietly charitable.” He can also be impressed by all she has achieved and continues to perform.

“That is what impresses me most — that she does it all,” he said.

Warrior Games

Soto was among 130 Marines who tried out for the 2024 Warrior Games, and she was one of 40 selected. However, she was sidelined by an injury during her first event. While athletes are typically limited to competing in two Warrior Games, she was granted an additional year due to her injury.

At the 2025 Warrior Games, Soto won four gold medals in swimming events, two silver medals in cycling and one bronze medal in rowing.

Soto also competed in the first winter edition of the Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, in February 2025, where she won a gold medal in snowboarding.

Going into the 2026 Warrior Games, the 41-year-old believes she is the oldest female athlete and one of the oldest athletes on the Marine team. Soto said she was “deeply honored” to be chosen by her teammates as a crew captain.

“These captains represent resilience, teamwork and the warrior spirit that defines the games,” stated a Warrior Games social media post asserting the crew captains.

Follow the 2026 Warrior Games on social media (Instagram or Facebook) or on dodwarriorgames.com.