TAMPA, Fla. — Aside from all the retired and serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces, injured soldiers from five nations are competing in this year's Warrior Games in Tampa. 

One of those nations is The Netherlands. The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces sent 11 athletes to compete, and when we spoke to them, they said they've been surprised at how welcoming the community has been during their stay.

"They thanked us for our service," said retired Lance Corporal Ton Van Den Oetelaar. "It's not usual in the Netherlands they do that, and that's coming into the heart then."

Van Den Oetelaar was injured while serving in Bosnia in the early 1990s. 

His teammate, retired Master Sergeant Anthony LePoole, was injured in Afghanistan in 2008.  

It's their first time competing in the Warrior Games. 

"I'm still adjusting to the warmth and heat," said LePoole.

After a nine-and-a-half hour flight from the Netherlands, they said they're still trying to get accustomed to the Tampa way of life before competing in the games.

"In the Netherlands, it's wet and mostly cold," said Van Den Oetelaar.

Fortunately, most of their competitions will be indoors. 

On Friday, crews at the Tampa Convention Center were prepping for the Warrior Games. Many of the events will be held there. 

The athletes from the Netherlands said they have already been training to win. 

But retired Master Sergeant Ymo Hartzema said the competitions are about more than that. 

"It's just nice, one big family," said Hartzema. "One warm welcome. That's most important."