Wounded Warrior Project

Some weekends are just better than others.  This was a really good one, and I’ll remember it.

Saturday morning was beautiful, and I had the opportunity to assist the Wounded Warrior Project in manning their information booth at the Marine Corps 1/2 Marathon and Freedom 5K, here in Jacksonville, Florida.  I was just an extra pair of hands in setting up the information tent and passing brochures out, and ultimately got more out of being there than I gave in time.

The Wounded Warrior Project is a five year old nationwide non-profit company that assists our severely injured servicemen and woman by providing tangible support from the time they get to a field hospital, through their transition to a US hospital facility, and their next stages of healing.  Their signature program has been delivering backpacks filled with essential items to these wounded warriors at their bedside.

The Project has expanded and now offers a wide range of developmental support services to both the warriors and their families to adjust to life after a serious injury, and to transition into civilian life.

I urge you to visit their web site and see the amazing steps they’ve taken to support our troops.  And while you’re there, help them meet the needs of our wounded warriors by donating.  For a small donation of $99 you can send a backpack with a personalized message to one of our severely wounded warriors who have made a significant sacrifice for you.  This is one of those special organizations that leverages small amounts into great results. Please visit their site and see for yourself the work that they do.

In addition to being around the Wounded Warrior Project team members and some of their fine alumni, since it was the Marine Corp Marathon, there were a significant number of Marines around, both active duty no-longer active duty (Disclaimer: I spent three years in the Army, I’m no longer a GI, and haven’t been one for a very long time. But, I learned a long time ago that there’s no such thing as an ex-Marine.)

It’s been a long time sine I was in the company of a large group of our service men and woman, and it turned out to be a great boost to my moral to see so many well mannered, well groomed, men and women who although having a lot of fun, carried themselves with well justified pride and a subtle, but serious demeanor.

All in all, it was a great day.