Norman gains experience despite a loss in D-Day event

Brian Norman of Cape Girardeau went to the largest paintball event in the world to fight for his country in a mock D-Day. He came back a victim, but a more experienced and much more thrilled paintballer.

"We thought maybe it would be the biggest in America," Norman said after the trip to Oklahoma this month. "But to break the world record for biggest scenario games was unexpected."

With more than 3,100 players, the United States team fought the German team in a match set up much like the original D-Day battle. Both sides used tanks, mock airborne methods and massive defense and attack plans.

"Everything was organized for being such a large event," Norman said. "The Germans had a few aspects of the game that seemed to be stacked in their favor, like the number of tanks and dead zones."

Despite the losing effort, Norman said that he plans on going back next year due to the fun he experienced.

"It was well laid out, and we had a great time," he said. "Iliked everybody on our team. Nearly everyone was a good sport about being hit. I just had a lot of fun."

-- David Unterreiner