With advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor, an unprecedented percentage of service members are surviving severe wounds or injuries, according to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP).
For every U.S. soldier killed in World Wars I and II, there were 1.7 soldiers wounded. But in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), for every U.S. soldier killed, seven are wounded. Combined, more than 52,000 servicemen and women have been physically injured in recent military conflicts. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war, including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while on deployment.
“That brings an awesome new responsibility that we share as a country …. and we are failing,” says Gary Corless, WWP executive vice president. Repertoire readers know Corless as former president and CEO of PSS World Medical Inc. He joined WWP, based in Jacksonville, Fla., in April.
The non-profit organization serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service. With a mission to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, WWP works to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.
Corless recognized the needs of wounded veterans five years ago, when several PSS senior leaders organized and completed a 10-mile hike to raise support for WWP. “They did it in full gear, including a 25-pound backpack,” he recalls. “At the end we heard from a young man – an injured veteran, who had lost both his legs in Iraq. I saw the price paid for the foundation we build upon, and I must admit that I was a little embarrassed that I hadn’t truly recognized it before.
A foundation fought for
“I realized that everything we have built, we built upon a foundation,” Corless continues. “A foundation that I had taken for granted, like the ground we walk upon. That foundation is one of safety and security, and it is not just there. It is fought for and it is earned … and prices are paid. Lives are lost for it and lives are forever changed for it. From that point on, I knew that it was no longer OK for me to just be passively grateful.”
WWP has 20 free programs and services that directly address these wounded service members’ needs in the areas of mind, body, economic empowerment, and engagement. Here is how WWP describes them:
- Engagement: To ensure injured service members stay connected with one another, WWP has a robust Alumni program. Additionally, the Policy & Government Affairs program ensures injured veterans, their caregivers, and families have a voice in local and national advocacy and legislative issues. WWP also offers a Benefits Service program that provides wounded service men and women with access to government benefits and details on all 20 of the organization’s lifesaving programs, services and community resources.
- Mind: We envision a generation of wounded veterans well-adjusted in mind, receiving support to overcome the challenges of readjustment. Through interactive programs, outdoor rehabilitative retreats, peer support, and professional services, injured service members, their caregivers and families are given the tools to maintain healthy, meaningful relationships with family and friends, and pursue life goals without the barriers or stigmas associated with mental health issues.
- Body: We envision a generation of injured veterans well-adjusted in body, receiving the care they need to maximize rehabilitation and live active and healthy lives. Through adaptive sports, health, nutrition, and recreational activities, WWP helps wounded service members, their caregivers and families achieve independence and pursue an excellent quality of life.
- Economic empowerment: We envision a generation of wounded service members who are economically empowered. They are not unemployed or underemployed, and have opportunities to pursue meaningful careers or own their own businesses. WWP offers higher education programs, information technology training, and employment assistance services to encourage economic empowerment for injured veterans to provide long-term financial stability for themselves and their families.
“Each one of us can make a significant and positive impact on the lives of these brave men and women,” says Corless. “I have seen from the outside and now from the inside what can be done for our nation’s injured veterans. It is both humbling and inspiring.
“The reality is, we simply don’t have the resources to reach out and help all those who need and deserve that help. I would just ask that you consider the foundation you build upon, and those that have sacrificed to provide it, and in some way show them your support. It is simple and easy and powerful. Learn how you can help by going to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.”