Resources for America's Returning Wounded Warriors and Their Families
"Where do we find such men?"
It's an age-old question used when describing the uncommon valor found in the American service men and women who defend our freedom on a daily basis, and especially those in combat situations.
It's the question that popped into my mind, along with tears in my eyes, five minutes into this Pentagon Channel special that follows the lives of several severely wounded warriors, to see how they are coping with their lives after combat. These service members were first featured in a Pentagon Channel program two years ago, while undergoing rehabilitation for their life-changing injuries. This May 2007 program is a follow-up to report on their progress.
The life of Army Staff Sgt. Jay Fondgren was changed forever in an instant in Iraq, when a "platter charge" took both his legs and part of his right hand. We can't even imagine the challenges that would present in daily life. Yet when interviewed for this program, he said, "There’s days when I miss having my legs, but when I look back at what we accomplished and the freedoms we’ve given the Iraqi people, it was worth it. I don’t regret anything."
And he went on to say, "I would go back and do it all over again. I would much rather be fighting a war somewhere else than to have roadside bombs and IED's going off in the United States." This is what the veterans of the War on Terror want desperately to prevent, and it's the reason they willingly "ship out" to fight this war overseas. And it's something they believe WILL happen if we pull the troops out of Iraq before they accomplish their mission. They desperately want the American public, and especially our Congress, to understand that, so their sacrifices will not be in vain.
Jay and his wife Ann have two sons, one born while Jay was in Iraq, and the second one born after his return. Ann exemplifies the finest spirit of the military spouse with her own reaction to their current situation, "The best part is that Jay's home, and we're all together."
Jay sums up his feelings,
"Freedom's a precious thing, and you don't really understand that until you have to pay a price for it."
This program runs thirty minutes, and you'll come away from it with a new appreciation for our service members and their families, and a new wonder at their spirit and determination, and their positive outlook on life despite their hardships. You, too, will wonder, "Where do we find such men?"
And you'll be extremely proud and eternally grateful that we still find them throughout these United States, and in our military.
President Reagan said in 1984, "Where do we find such men? They are typical of this country. . . . We find them in our streets and our offices and our shops, and the working places of our country, and our farms. . . We are today, the last best hope of man on Earth.”
America's Wounded Warriors and Their Stories
Marine Sgt. Jeremy Boutwell fought for four years to recover from serious injuries sustained in Iraq, and then for the opportunity to re-enlist and return to Iraq.
Wounded Warrior Army Major David Rozelle was one of the first amputees to be returned to combat duty. After losing a foot in Iraq, Major Rozelle demonstrated his determination to serve his country by completing his rehabilitation, re-qualifying for active duty, and returning to Iraq as commander of an armored cavalry unit only one year later. You'll find an update on Major Rozelle below.
Bob Woodruff Family Fund, founded by ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee in February 2007 to raise awareness and money to assist members of the military injured while serving our country.
"We are a very lucky family with Bob's recovery and we are well aware that not every family has the outcome we have had," said Bob and Lee Woodruff. "We were determined to use our journey to draw attention to the number of traumatic brain injuries from this war and to ensure that all service members returning from the war continue to receive the best care and attention in rehab and beyond."
Special emphasis is placed on the "hidden signature injuries" of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – traumatic brain injury (TBI) and combat stress injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Veterans needing help to file initial VA claims for disability can get free personalized legal help and review of their claims from attorneys at the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, under their program "When Duty Calls".
US Army's State-of-the-Art Rehab Center
June 2007 -- We are delighted to bring you this update on Wounded Warrior Army Major David Rozelle, who was one of the first amputees to be returned to combat duty. After losing a foot in Iraq, Major Rozelle demonstrated his determination to serve his country by completing his rehabilitation, re-qualifying for active duty, and returning to Iraq as commander of an armored cavalry unit only one year later. We first highlighted his extraordinary achievement on our Heroic Actions page.
After completing his command tour, Major Rozelle now is tasked with helping the US Army build a new state-of-the-art Amputee Care Center on the grounds of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, to provide only the best in rehabilitation services for fellow Wounded Warriors, and to serve as a mentor for returning Wounded Warriors.
The US Army's new Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline will help wounded warriors and their family members to get information or assistance with medical or other issues.
The Center for the Intrepid provides state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities for military personnel who have been catastrophically disabled in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and veterans severely injured in other operations and in the normal performance of their duties.
The Center is co-located with two 21-room Fisher Houses that house the families of patients.
The President's Commission On Care For America's Returning Wounded Warriors
In March 2007, President Bush signed an Executive Order creating a bipartisan Presidential Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of and make recommendations for improvement to the services America is providing to our returning Wounded Warriors.
A Record Of Commitment To Improving Service For The Men And Women Of Our Military
The President's 2008 Budget Proposal contains $38.7 Billion for military health care costs - doubling funding since the President took office. All military members and retirees, and their families, receive health care benefits from the Department of Defense (DoD). Military members on active duty are treated in DoD hospitals and clinics worldwide. A member severely injured in combat is retained on active duty and treated in DoD facilities until he or she is granted lifetime DoD disability retirement and health benefits. The member may also transition to the VA health system for care.
It contains information to help military family members understand what to expect during the family reintegration following time in a war zone, and to help them adapt back to home life with their loved one(s).
Wounded Warriors Provides Family Support
Wounded Warriors provides support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. The families of our casualties suffer in many ways: some financially, some psychologically, most both financially and psychologically.
Wounded Warriors mitigates their trauma by allowing them to find peace and solace as a family once more in family-friendly resorts that are provided at no cost to the family. The resort condominiums that owned by Wounded Warriors, located in Orlando, Florida and Galveston, Texas, are quiet havens where war-torn families can reunite and become stronger.
Remember, "When America Goes to War, Our Families Go to War."(tm)
Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project has as its stated mission: "To raise the awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs."
They have a number of patient and family programs, including financial assistance, peer mentoring, programs on coping with combat stress, an intern program, and Warriors to Work, which helps injured service members find new occupational direction and possible employment, based on their skills, interests, and employment opportunities.
New information and links we believe you'll find helpful are being added continuously. There are two easy ways to stay current:
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