Wounded Warrior Project

With the passing of Senate Bill S.1963, there remains work to be done to ensure the bill gets signed into law. The following documentary highlights the needs of our caregivers and how right now these needs are not being met.

The Pentagon estimates that as many as one in five American soldiers are coming home from war z…ones with traumatic brain injuries, many of which require round-the-clock attention. But lost in the reports of these returning soldiers are the stories of family members who often sacrifice everything to care for them. This week, NOW reveals how little has been done to help these family caregivers, and reports on dedicated efforts to support them.Подробнее

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed legislation that would provide monthly stipends and medical benefits to family members who stay home to care for severely injured veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill also includes travel expenses and training for the caregivers, improved health se…rvices for women veterans and rural areas, and nearly $1 billion for veterans medical facilities.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the measure would cost nearly $4 billion over the first five years, most of it to pay for the new caregiver benefits.

Although the bill had bipartisan support, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., held it up for weeks trying to persuade senators to pay for the new spending by making cuts in other programs. He tried without success Thursday to amend the bill to cut funding for the United Nations.

"If, in fact, we want to honor our veterans ... we ought to have the courage to make hard choices about how we pay for it," Coburn said.

But Coburn ultimately supported the bill after his amendment failed. The measure passed on a 98-0 vote.

Supporters, including veterans groups such as the Wounded Warrior Project, argued that the spending is part of the cost of war. Democrats said Coburn and others who were quick to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without paying for them up-front should be just as eager to deal with the consequences.Подробнее

The 2009 Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon Shadow Run in Baghdad will be held on November 29. Troops from Camp Victory are signing up to run a half or full marathon on the same day as the Amica Seattle Marathon. The race will be as much like a stateside marathon and half marathon as possible, including a pre-race past…a party and entertainment along the route! This is a great way for the troops to relieve stress, “escape” work and give them a touch of home.

Amica Insurance and the Seattle Marathon Association wants others to be able to help support the troops! Purchase a Baghdad Shadow Run shirt and support the Wounded Warrior Project. Two dollars ($2) from every shirt purchased will go to the organization. Please share this on your FB pages to help spread the word! For more information and to purchase a shirt, click on the link below.Подробнее

Please see the attached picture from the recent soldier ride.

It was taken by Sgt First Class Viktor Felkers of the Ft Carson WTU during a ride in Cave Creek last Saturday. On the left is Tim Moore, a civilian bike shop owner who flew out for the trip on his own dime and supported us for the week with expert bike tech …skills.

In the center is Staff Sergeant Nick Lerma, a wounded Marine from Camp Pendleton. Nick and Tim are working together to assist Sgt Rob Armstrong on the 10 mile ascent that was the first half of the day's ride.Подробнее

In August 2004, while on patrol with my Marine unit in Mahmudiya, Iraq, I was severely wounded by a roadside bomb. My wounds included a crushed skull and right hand, traumatic brain injury and the loss of both my eyes.

I am not alone. In the past eight years, many of the 35,000 American soldiers wounded in the wars in I…raq and Afghanistan have returned home. But many of us have also returned with deep emotional wounds, and those are harder to see.Подробнее

My wife Tracy and I just completed our second and final Wounded Warrior Project "Welcome Home" event for all OIF/OEF veterans who have served from the USVI. This event was even better than last weeks' in St. Croix inasmuch as we had a governmental "who's-who" of dignitaries in attendance.

We had the Governor, Lieutenant… Governor, Brigadier General over all the territories, State Senator, Director of the VA from USVI and Puerto Rico, and two staff members from WWP, including a wounded Marine. In addition to this list, our true Stars included over 100 active duty military personnel with which we were able to share the services of WWP.

As with last week, it is truly inspirational to be in the presence of so many who have given so much for this great nation. Their willingness to defend their country, with all the attendant sacrifices, requires no less than our full support and respect, and that was the purpose of today's event.

I appreciate you allowing me to share this with you as Tracy and I have been so privileged to establish a small beach head here on behalf of WWP in an effort to give back to those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.

All the Best this Veterans Week-

Ken Collom
St Croix - US Virgin IslandsПодробнее

The EagleBank Bowl, whose charitable partner is the Wounded Warrior Project, is holding its latest Game of the Week beginning at 3:30 pm on Saturday, November 14, at Public Bar in Washington, D.C.

A community-focused event, the EagleBank Bowl is proud to have formed a charitable partnership with the Wounded Warrior Proj…ect, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds to aid severely injured servicemen and servicewomen.Подробнее