Wounded Warrior Project Takes Veterans to FSU Football Facilities
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) took a group of veterans and their families to tour the football facilities at Florida State University (FSU) recently. The warriors and families visited the trophy room, the locker room, and the field. They had opportunities to bond with one another and forge friendships similar to those formed in the military, and they even met with Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher.
"He was just as humbled to meet us as we were him," said National Guard veteran Brad Downey. "He was very genuine – as you would imagine – and very gracious to everyone from Wounded Warrior Project and their guests. For him to take that brief moment with us before a game is just an example of what a great person he truly is."
Army veteran Bergen Bloomquist enjoyed that interaction as well.
"We were very impressed that he took so much time with each one of us and then spoke to the group as a whole," Bergen said. "He signed a miniature helmet and took a picture with my wife and me."
Watching FSU get its team ready to compete on the field was among the highlights for the warriors.
"To see the way these athletes are transformed into high-performing machines and how FSU takes impeccable care of them is incredible," Brad said. "They maintain not only their physical health but also their mental health."
Does that sound familiar? WWP focuses heavily on improving the mental and physical health and wellness of all registered warriors. Through outreach events like this one, veterans and their families connect with one another in social settings that accommodate physical injuries and social anxieties. This can help create new support structures and remind veterans they are not alone.
"For me, Wounded Warrior Project means camaraderie," Bergen said. "These events are a welcome time to get out of the house, and I feel I can somewhat let my guard down."
The tour and game occurred on Veterans Day, and FSU made it a point to pay tribute to our nation's service members.
"The various ways they honored veterans were amazing," Brad said. "Witnessing a soldier's surprise homecoming was very emotional. I appreciated how they recognized all branches of service during halftime as well."
Brad also enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with other veterans who have similar military backgrounds.
"Wounded Warrior Project has played a huge role in helping me meet and get to know other warriors and their families," Brad said. "I've learned we all share common threads, and we can obtain assistance for whatever we may be living with on a day-to-day basis."
WWP programs assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities.
To learn more about how WWP's programs and services are making an impact on the lives of wounded warriors, visit https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/.
About Wounded Warrior Project
We Connect, Serve, and Empower
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP connects wounded warriors and their families to valuable resources and one another, serves them through a variety of free programs and services, and empowers them to live life on their own terms. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project