How Wounded Warrior Project is There for Pre-9/11 Veterans

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is known for providing direct programs and services to post-9/11 veterans and their loved ones. But did you know that WWP also supports other generations of warriors?

“We’re never going to turn anybody away that comes to the door reaching out for support,” said Susan Roth, a Veteran Wellness Alliance check-in connector at WWP. “There may be a compromise of us needing to give an alternative or connect someone to another resource, but we’re always going to do what we can to serve.”

WWP is a founding member of the Veteran Wellness Alliance, a coalition of veteran networks and mental and brain health providers that connect veterans, service members, their families, caretakers, and survivors to care, no matter their era of service.

“We’re the best-kept secret of Wounded Warrior Project,” said Kristen Vore, also a Veteran Wellness Alliance check-in connector at WWP. “We’re here to let veterans know that they aren’t alone, that there are resources for them, and that they do have support.”

The Journey of a Pre-9/11 Veteran to WWP

“I hear it a lot – ‘you’re not post-9/11’- you know?” said Frank Libby, a Coast Guard veteran who spent 23 years in the service, retiring in 1997. “I’m a dinosaur, and we don’t fit into anybody’s demographic.”

Or so he thought.

Frank had been coping with trauma from his past, on his own, forever. He had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his service, which only got worse with time. He turned to alcohol to deal with the pain. It wasn’t until Christmas 2024, the day he nearly took his own life, that he realized he couldn’t stay on this road.

His son, Ryan, told him he needed to reach out for help, but he didn’t know where to start. He thought resources like WWP were only for post-9/11 veterans.

But he was wrong. Ryan convinced him to contact WWP and see what the organization could do to help, and that phone call changed everything.

Through WWP, Frank connected to Warrior Care Network^® and participated in the Road Home Program in Chicago. He went through more than 50 hours of direct PTSD treatment hours, alongside additional therapies and acupuncture.

“For 28 years I let PTSD define who I was,” said Frank. “Without Wounded Warrior Project and Warrior Care Network, I know I wouldn’t still be here.”

Now, Frank goes to therapy regularly to continue getting the support he deserves to combat his PTSD and other challenges.

“You hear a lot of ‘I can’t get care; I can’t get an appointment,’ from us older veterans, but there are so many options that we just don’t know about,” said Frank. “I missed out on so many opportunities and lost so many relationships because of what I was dealing with on my own, but I realized I can change – I can change because I have resources now.”

At 68 years old, Frank is turning his life around and using the new tools to build a network of support. He says it’s vital to lean on other veterans, even when you’re struggling, because they can relate to what you’ve experienced. But he emphasized that his journey isn’t over yet. There’s still more work to keep healing.

“You have to be willing to get out of your shell, and you have to be prepared for adversity, but you also have to know that you can get through that,” Frank said.

How WWP Stands by Other-Era Veterans

In fiscal year 2024, WWP directly supported over 5,000 pre-9/11 veterans and sent more than 31,000 resources to those warriors. From financial assistance to mental health support, WWP’s Resource Center is committed to standing by all veterans with its network of more than 550 vetted organizations and 1,400 services to fill its gaps in programming.

“We are working day in and day out to find organizations and services that will impact the needs all veterans are having both now, and in the future,” said Kyle Kulas, Wounded Warrior Project Resource Center operations manager.

WWP also invests in and works with other best-in-class veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) to advance solutions for specialized or complex veteran issues. Since 2012, WWP has granted more than $539 million to 222 organizations, also known as WWP’s community partners.

Overall, WWP’s programs, partnerships, advocacy, and awareness efforts help all warriors thrive, provide essential lifelines to families and caregivers, and help prevent veteran suicides. The organization’s efforts impact all generations of warriors – past, present, and future.

“I want to help my brother and sister who were here before me, who were there with me, and for those who will still be fighting after I’m in the grave,” said Benjamin Watkins, senior Constituent Affairs specialist for WWP. “We see you, we hear you, we’re fighting for you, too.”

Whether it’s a phone call, live online chat, social media message, or email, WWP stands ready to serve those who sacrificed so much for our nation.

“Wounded Warrior Project has the veteran population’s best interest in mind,” said Ryan Libby, Warrior Support coordinator. “Not (just) the post-9/11 veteran population, the veteran population.” 

If you or a loved one is interested in learning more, call the WWP Resource Center at 888-997-2586.

Contact: Kaitlyn McCue, Public Relations, kmccue@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.870.1964

About Wounded Warrior Project 

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.