The Wounded Warrior Project is an organization committed to helping veterans succeed in every aspect of life after service. It understands that dealing with feelings of loneliness and isolation are a reality for many veterans. It also recognizes that a significant number of returned servicemembers may have to face post-traumatic stress disorder. For these reasons, the Wounded Warrior Project creates many activities to bring veterans together to help one another heal.
One such project is the Soldier Ride, an event where former servicemembers gather for a bike excursion. Even disabled veterans can participate, as the organization provides adaptive cycles. Most recently, a Solider Ride took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For the city's version of the ride, 53 veterans came together to bike a 12-mile loop around the city that began and ended in Lincoln Financial Field.
"These soldier rides, what they do is they motivate you to go out and complete a task, and while you are completing that task, you are not thinking about the injuries or your mental blocks that you have," John Conway, an Iraq war veteran and Philadelphia Solider Ride participant, told CBS Philly.
More than 300,000 veterans reside in Louisiana. Many of these former soldiers struggle to find work when they enter life after service. To help combat veteran unemployment and homelessness, the state began participating in a program called Homegrown by Heroes. This program was created by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and has spread to 43 states across the nation. Louisiana was the sixth state to launch the program. Homegrown by Heroes provides veterans with a chance to utilize their farming skills and teaches them to market their products effectively.
Mark Strain, the commissioner with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, told The News Star, "Whether they are gardening as a hobby or farming as a career, we will do what we can to help our veterans increase their ability to be successful as well as provide them tools for sustainability."
Each of the products produced under the Homegrown by Heroes initiative is branded with the program's logo. The founders hope the HbH products will encourage veterans to pursue agricultural careers in life after service. They also want the brand to promote local farming, which has earned the approval of many farmers nationwide.
If you have ever served in the military, you probably have many stories to tell about the people you met and the things you experienced. Military stories make some of the most memorable and inspiring narratives. Take a look at AFBA's top five military novels that epitomize what it means to be a soldier and most accurately recount war.
1. 'Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10'
This nonfiction story follows Operation Redwing leader Marcus Luttrell and his unit. This elite team was tasked with taking down a known al-Qaeda leader on the Pakistani border in 2005. By the end of their mission, only Luttrell remained alive. Operation Redwing saw the largest loss of Navy SEAL life in history, but it also recounts Luttrell's unrelenting will to live as he crawled, wounded and alone, 7 miles through enemy territory in the Pakistani mountains. This amazing story follows the leader's account of his survival and recovery, and it is a must-read for anyone who has ever known the loss of a unit member.
2. 'All Quiet on the Western Front'
Erich Maria Remarque's classic 1928 novel has often been referred to as the greatest war novel of all time. Remarque tells the story of Paul Bäumer, a young man who follows his friends into enlistment with the German army. Bäumer quickly becomes disenchanted with the war and rejects the senseless hatred that drives men into battle. The young soldier witnesses many horrors and makes a vow to combat the prejudices that turn men against one another if he can survive the war.
3. 'Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest'
This novel follows the U.S. Army's 506th Airborne Division. The real men who fought in this unit were notorious for getting some of World War II's toughest assignments. Stephen Ambrose's nonfiction novel recounts their mission to parachute into Berchtesgaden in France on the morning of D-Day to the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest. This mission resulted in a 150 percent fatality rate. The novel demonstrates the unfailing courage of the American soldier to complete assigned missions and the brotherhood that is forged along the way.
4. 'The Killer Angels'
Michael Shaara's historical fiction is one of the most interesting accounts ever written about the Battle of Gettysburg. The novel gives unique insight into the thoughts and emotions commanders from each side may have experienced. More than that, it defines what the American Civil War was all about. More than brother vs. brother, the war pitted two different ideologies against each other. Starving, exhausted men fought with everything they had left to preserve the country they believed in. Shaara's dramatic recount captures all of this in an unforgettable way.
5. 'Black Hawk Down'
Set in Somalia in October 1993, Mark Bowden's nonfiction novel tells the story of the 100 Americans who were airdropped into a Mogadishu marketplace. Their mission to capture two lieutenants to a major Somalian warlord was supposed to be a quick one. Instead, it became one of the toughest missions in American history. The Americans had to spend an entire night fending off thousands of armed Somalians. The novel documents their bravery in the face of adversity, and it demonstrated the strength it takes to survive in the face of certain doom.
There are many novels that convey the bravery of soldiers and equally as many that tell of the strength it takes to overcome the horrors of war. However, the five novels outlined above stand out from the rest. They take the reader on a journey through the lives of soldiers and show what it takes to be a hero.
Army officials have announced that over the next two years, they plan to cut their forces down by 40,000 soldiers. This means a lot of military servicemembers will be reentering the civilian world and looking for the next step in their life after service. On Aug. 10, the office of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced the winners of the 2015 Veteran Reconnect Grants. These grants were made possible by $1 million in state funding and were established to encourage more veterans to come to the state for higher education.
Of the 11 institutions that received part of the grant money, most said they would use the funds to increase staff training on assisting veterans who have returned to school. This was a deciding factor for state officials who understand that the transition from military to civilian life can be difficult, especially for students.
"You go from a very structured military environment to a higher education environment that actually values a lack of structure," Mike Krause, an executive director for one of the state's education programs, told Military Times. "It's very disorienting."
A few of the universities that received funding were Middle Tennessee State University, East Tennessee State University, Maryville College, Northeast State Community College and the University of Memphis.
The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, an organization of motorcycle-riding veterans, is known for giving back to other veterans in its community. Its mission is to provide whatever kind of support is needed to local veterans.
David Lukowski, the chapter president of the CVMA, told ABC 10 News, "We operate as friends, heartfelt friends. Everyone here will give you the shirt off of their back."
Recently, though, the group went above and beyond the call of duty when they decided to raise money for the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan. The home provides shelter and care for aging veterans, but the activities fund was running low.
A squad of 34 CVMA riders from all over the region drove to the home when the fundraiser was finished to spend the day socializing with the veterans who live there and to present them with the check for $5,000 to support resident activities. Many of the CVMA members who participated said the best part of the experience was spending time with their elder veterans. They said the elderly vets had many stories and experiences to share, and not many of them receive visitors, so the shared moments are doubly beneficial.
Since 2014, the American College of Financial Services, the nation's largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services, has honored an individual with the Soldier-Citizen Award. This award is meant to decorate an honorable person who served in the military, is successful in the financial services industry and demonstrated selflessness in giving back to his or her community. This year's honoree is four-star Gen. Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart, formerly with the United States Air Force.
After graduating from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Gen. Eberhart spent 36 years as a Commander, U.S. Northern Command and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. During this time, he logged over 5,000 hours of command flight time. In retirement, Gen. Eberhart continued to serve his country by accepting the position of president and chairman of The Armed Forces Benefit Association in 2009.
Gen. Eberhart is also the chairman of 5-Star Bank and 5-Star Life Insurance Company, and he serves on the board of several organizations, such as TERMA, Jacobs Engineering, Rockwell Collins, Triumph Group, VSE and Segs4Vets. Not only does the general give his time to those companies, but he is currently a trustee for the Falcon Foundation and a director on the board of the USAFA Endowment. At one time, Gen. Eberhart served his alma mater as a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates Board of Directors.
"General Eberhart followed his illustrious military career with a spectacular career in the financial services industry," said Ted Digges, the executive director of The American College Penn Mutual Center for Veterans Affairs and chair of the selection committee. "We are proud to honor such an individual with this award."
The award ceremony will take place on Aug. 20, 2015, at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Many military servicemembers sustain injuries during combat that leave them disabled in one way or another. These veterans may struggle to accept that their life after service will be much less active than before. Yet, the Veterans Adaptive Sports program is offering these disabled vets an opportunity to continue participating in the sports and activities they love. This organization strives to help rehabilitate former servicemembers with injuries to the spinal cord, visual and hearing impairments, amputations and neurological disorders.
Dave Tuttle, a coach with Veterans Adaptive Sports, told WPTV News, "Our main objective is to get disabled veterans to plug back into recreational activities that they're a little apprehensive to get started in."
Tuttle and other coaches assist the disabled veterans with activities like scuba diving and skiing. Tuttle credits the success of the program to advances in technology. He said that in previous decades, the wounded veterans would be confined to games like checkers and cards. However, technological advances have provided them with the equipment necessary to make it possible for them to participate in these action-heavy activities.
The Veterans Adaptive Sports program is meant to give disabled veterans back the confidence they once had and help them find joy in their new situations.
According to the National Center for PTSD, 23 percent of veterans will experience post-traumatic stress disorder. This mental condition can make it difficult for veterans to readjust to normal lives and find fulfillment in life after service. However, there is a group of volunteers in Oregon City, Oregon, that hopes to help veterans find a new way to cope with PTSD. The group, Team River Runner, takes veterans who have sustained physical injury or are experiencing PTSD on paddling excursions down the Willamette River.
Every year, about 200 veterans benefit from Team River Runner's paddling program.
Roy Decker, a Navy veteran with 10 years of service under his belt, told KATU News that it was nice to know that there were people out there who still cared about helping veterans. Decker said that floating down the river gave him a sense of serenity and helped him get away from the stresses of PTSD. He was on the USS Cole when it was bombed but said that participating in Team River Runner's program helped him rediscover peace of mind.
The program also provides kayaks for veterans with physical disabilities and sometimes teams up with Oregon Disability Sports. Visit their website for more information.
Some elderly people take up knitting. Others prefer fishing. For a group of elderly veterans, sports and physical activity are still the primary source of entertainment. The National Veterans Golden Age Games is a sporting event open to military veterans age 55 or older and who receive health care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The games are meant to provide a fun way for aging veterans to rehabilitate and improve their quality of life. It is also a way to help the veterans cope with PTSD or physical disabilities they may have sustained in their service.
Henry Lee Preston, a javelin competitor and 64-year-old Vietnam veteran, has participated in the games eight times. Lee told Alabama.com that the games were a way for him to stay fit year-round and to connect with other older veterans from around the country. He also uses the games as a way to connect with his grandchildren, whom he takes with him when he trains in his local park.
Over 800 veterans come together to compete and share reunion stories. These former servicemembers compete in such competitions as racquetball, bowling, table tennis, dominoes and many more. This year's games will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, Aug. 8-12.
Military servicemembers and first responders have some of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Not only that, but they are more likely to experience a traumatic event than people in other careers. As a result, individuals who serve in the military and work as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and other first responders have a high probability of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental health condition that can greatly affect the quality of an individual's life. AFBA has compiled a list of seven programs designed to help servicemembers, veterans and first responders heal their PTSD.
1. Starlight Military Program
The Stonington Institute launched this program after World War II. The Starlight Military Program specializes in unique treatment for active duty servicemembers and veterans. It offers cognitive therapy and substance abuse programs.
2. Paws for Veterans
One issue many veterans face while dealing with PTSD is the feeling of isolation. Paws for Veterans works to eliminate these feelings by pairing returned servicemembers with a trained dog in need of adoption. The dogs are trained to have a variety of special skills, including therapy and guide dog behaviors.
3. The Station House Retreat
The program was specifically designed by first responders to assist other first responders with their PTSD recovery. Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other first responders can come to The Station House Retreat to participate in therapy sessions, exercise programs, meditation and medication management classes all designed to treat PTSD.
4. Homecoming for Veterans
The EEG Institute developed this program to better understand the effects of PTSD on the brain. Homecoming for Veterans provides free neurofeedback and PTSD treatment for former military servicemembers. Not only is this program providing care for veterans, but it is working to better understand the neurological damage they experience in order to improve treatment.
5. Omega Veterans Trauma and Resilience Program
This program was created by health care professionals to help veterans heal from PTSD and other problems that may arise because of the trauma they experienced. Omega offers a variety of seminars and therapy sessions.
6. Princeton House First Responder Program
This inpatient program is designed to provide first responders with whole-body healing methods. It focuses on mental health therapy. The Princeton House First Responder Program teaches first responders who are experiencing PTSD to rediscover the mind-body-spirit connection through fitness, counseling and medication management.
7. Meghan's Foundation
The program was developed with the purpose of providing alternative healing to veterans dealing with PTSD. Meghan's Foundation offers veterans a chance to heal through yoga and meditation as opposed to doctors and medication. The foundation is designed to teach veterans to self-heal and rely on their inner strengths.
PTSD can be a life-altering condition, and many veterans and first responders will be faced with overcoming the challenges of this disorder. Fortunately, there are a number of programs created specifically for individuals in these careers. These programs offer healing, counseling, support and guidance as those coping with PTSD navigate toward healing. The VA also offers a regional-specific list of PTSD help.