Featured Stories

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” That’s the adage veterans can keep in mind when seeking assistance with filing disability claims, said Mike Stoddard, national service...

For many kids around the country, Veterans Day was more than just a day off school; it was an opportunity to learn about and celebrate veterans through Honor Their Courage, an education and...

Nov. 20 is World Children’s Day. The day is a serious one, marking the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which ratified international human rights for children in 1989. We...

JACKSONVILLE, FL. — The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has not changed since 2003 when we began delivering backpacks to wounded warriors in military hospitals after they returned...

When Matthew Lempergel was home on leave from the Army, he would spend time communicating with his fellow soldiers downrange. His mother, Crystal Wallick, remembers he would say, “I have to make...

In 2019, Colleen Kuh participated in Wounded Warrior Project®’s (WWP) Carry Forward® 5K with her husband Tony and four children. Tony, an Army veteran, pushed the stroller to help Colleen keep...

Twenty years ago, the worst terrorist attack in the history of the United States of America took from us thousands of men, women,...

Marine veteran Joe Padlo wanted to help other veterans find jobs and promote a veteran-focused workforce. The hot, dry climate of the Middle East motivated Army veteran Sherman Williams...

Sergio Alfaro sat in the middle of a test at Harvard Medical School, but all he could think about were traumatic events that happened in Iraq. After serving as a medic in Iraq, Sergio followed up...

Dawn (Morrison) Blue has a win-win formula for helping veterans and small businesses in her Ohio community. The former firefighter is passionate about giving veterans the tools they need to make a...

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is showing its support for the American Red Cross by assisting Afghan evacuees in the United States and abroad. "It's just about helping people," said WWP...

Wounded warriors with a passion for motorcycle riding recently received a VIP tour of the Harley-Davidson® Museum in Milwaukee. The visit was part of a Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) mental...

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) celebrated the donation of two new specially adapted custom homes to deserving warriors and their families by Homes For Our Troops (HFOT). During the Key Ceremony...

There’s no denying the U.S. military is one of the most diverse communities in the nation. The number of Hispanic Americans in active-duty Army grew from 3% in 1985 to 17% in 2022, according to...

GLENSIDE, Pa. — How far would you go for a stranger? Nick Novotny biked nearly 4,000 miles for one. When he finished, they weren’t strangers anymore — they were family.

Through Warriors to Work, WWP is following national employment trends in aviation to help veterans find their next missions in life.

If you are a veteran with specific breathing or allergic conditions tied to service, you may now qualify for disability benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently established...

Growing up 30 minutes south of Los Angeles in the 1980s, Sal Abrica had a choice to make. “Be a gang member or be a bookworm,” he recalls. Sal chose the latter and, after graduating high...

In July, Wounded Warrior Project co-hosted a virtual event with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and founding members of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans Congressional Caucus....

An estimated 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to contaminants such as burn pits, toxic fragments, radiation, and other hazardous materials during deployment. They are now suffering severe,...

Wounded Warrior Project continues to advocate for legislation that will improve the lives of veterans and ensure they and their loved ones receive the care and support they deserve. S. 2280 / H.R. 855

JACKSONVILLE, FL — With the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan, we understand that many warriors are experiencing a wide variety of emotions: concerns, confusion, anger, frustration, and...

More than a year since the nation shut its doors due to the global pandemic, 30 wounded warriors from the East Coast finally returned to the Big Apple for Soldier Ride® New York. Soldier Ride is...

Leaving the structure of military life and venturing into the unknown as a civilian is a monumental change. Any change can cause stress, and for many people the stress can lead to anxiety....

Jake Norotsky can get real with students in his aviation program because he’s been there. While still a senior in high school, he balanced schoolwork, a full-time job, and National Guard weekend...

For veterans facing a new life with prosthetic limbs or orthopedic devices, simple aspects of life like clothing take on a whole new meaning. Newly bought clothing might require custom tailoring...

August is Romance Awareness Month, and while romance is portrayed a certain way in mainstream media, what it really comes down to is connection. Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) offers a couples’...

When Army veteran Elizabeth Martinez Gonzalez first separated from the military, she was ready to walk away from anything that reminded her of military life. After all, she felt the military had...

When Rob McGregor retired from the Navy in 2014, he anticipated a smooth landing in civilian life. The former helicopter pilot left the military as a lieutenant commander after 27 years of...

A rare cancer changed Kelly Elmlinger’s role from nurse to patient at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). Kelly had joined the Army during her sophomore year in college, turning down athletic...

Finding peace and quiet can feel difficult at times. Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) art class participants have found a way to find solace in creating something new. While these classes are...

After a tough week, Army veteran Jenein Hamilton could have stayed home and skipped a recent women’s empowerment weekend organized by Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). But her efforts to attend...

While the 4th of July is typically a time for picnics and family barbecues, for veterans it often has different meaning. “The holiday is the day our country came to be, and to a veteran, the 4th of July is up there with Veterans Day and Memorial Day,” veteran Dan Miller said.

Most parents will tell you they have an unparalleled bond with their children. Cindy Parsons’ bond with her son Shane has been tried and tested. In 2006, Cindy received a phone call that no...

Road trips are a rite of passage for some college students — spring break getaways, that bucket list concert, a final excursion before heading into the “real world.” SUNY Cortland students...

One of the benefits of activities shifting to virtual settings in 2020 is that people can gather together from anywhere. Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has given warriors the chance to connect...

It’s Sunday evening. Angela and her neighbor strike up a conversation as their dogs play at their feet. It’s a regular rendezvous — they talk nearly every day. But something is different...

Children of military parents face different challenges than those of civilian kids during normal times, but trends from the past year reflect additional stresses that arose from COVID-19 restrictions.

Brave men and women responded swiftly to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Some didn’t care what it took, and others had no idea what impact their service would have on their lives. With the...

If Air Force veteran Sam Hargrove could step back in time, she would. She would remind herself to have faith amid the dark moments when she tried to drown her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)...

Long cycling rides bring a level of accomplishment and pride for those who have been training to up their game. But these rides also bring a level of soreness and exhaustion not typically...

Horses don’t lie. They reflect your energy and let you know where you stand right away. It’s no wonder they have become partners in healing — sometimes developing second lives as assistants...

Army veteran Brent McPeek is confronting the experience that changed his life forever — the day a sniper killed his best friend in Iraq. Now 13 years later, an unexpected medium is helping him...

When everyday stressors mix with ongoing isolation, it can be difficult for those with anxiety and PTSD to get out of the house and socialize. For the past several months, Wounded Warrior...

Dalanie Franklin has always been someone people go to for advice. His open mind and non-judgmental character attracted friends, colleagues, and even members of his Army unit chain of command to...

The sky is the limit for a group of wounded warriors in North and South Carolina who recently finished training to become commercial drone pilots. The veterans received instruction on remote drone...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Sleep deprivation contributes to serious health issues, including...

In the middle of nowhere in southern New Mexico, Army Col. (Ret.) Dave Parramore reached a breaking point. “It was pretty clear I was going no further,” Dave said. His solo cross-country bike...

Making new friends can be difficult at any age. Children of military-connected parents have the added difficulties of switching locations and schools. The Military Child Education Coalition®...

Stress has a way of taking over every aspect of our lives if we don’t keep it in check. Some stress-reducing remedies can be costly or isolating, which is why Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP)...

Veteran Employment Trending Positively but Need Remains Great One year after the veteran unemployment rate skyrocketed to nearly 12%, there is hope for the job prospects of America’s warriors,...

Healthy living is not easy, especially for those coping with injury and illness after service. Because every person’s journey is unique, health education is paramount. It empowers warriors and...

A sprout quietly bursts through the earth, absorbing its first taste of direct sunlight. Similarly, injured veterans grew to find healing through a therapeutic horticulture class at Cape Fear...

Navy veteran Deborah Tucker would like to play on the floor with her three-year-old son Logan without feeling pain. A spinal fusion in her lower back and a debilitating autoimmune disease present...

For nearly two decades, post-9/11 veterans have been exposed to contaminants such as burn pits, toxic fragments, radiation, and other hazardous materials on deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan,...

An all-female group of warriors spent two days on Monarch Mountain learning how to ski and snowboard as part of the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Soldier Ride® program. The program has been...

Stress is an inevitable part of life, and it can often feel overwhelming. For veterans and their loved ones, balancing responsibilities like family, work, health issues, and the transition from military service can add significant stress. Recognizing the impact of stress – and the dangers of unmanaged stress – is key to reducing its effects and improving overall well-being.

Army veteran Bobby Henline’s humor goes beyond coping with injuries. His humor uplifts and inspires veterans and civilians alike with a humble touch and a dose of truth. “When you talk about...

Worry, fear, and anxiety about being able to pay monthly bills or save for the future can lead to financial stress. For wounded veterans, the COVID-19 pandemic added to those pressures. In a 2020...

When someone enlists in the military, they are prepared to travel in support of serving their country. They are committed, knowing training and deployments will take them wherever they’re...

We all know stress affects emotional and mental health, but often the symptoms of stress show up more noticeably in our physical health. While stress affects everyone differently and to varying...

Warriors had a chance to show off their golf skills at Top Golf during WWP's Golf Appreciation event. For the past seven months, female warriors met in groups and one-on-one to connect and play...

Joyce Simon had her ducks in a row. The Army medic carefully planned her transition out of the military more than a year ahead. She attended meetings for the Army’s transition program, networked...

Standard Marine Corps uniform: coat, pants, belt…trombone? It was for wounded warrior Ixchel Perez — she served in the Marine Corps band for nearly a decade as a trombonist and vocalist....

Army Reserve veteran Keara Torkelson was getting ready to deploy to Iraq with her unit when a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2009 turned her life upside down. Keara was shot in the...

Superfoods are rich in micronutrients — one of the major groups of nutrients your body needs. From fiber to phytochemicals and enzymes, micronutrients maintain your body’s healthy function —...

In the fall of 1976, Jennifer (Jen) Silva was just starting kindergarten, while 119 women entered the halls of West Point for the first time as students. Thirteen years later, Jen joined the Long...

Military life for a woman is different than it is for a man. There are often few women — or only one woman — in a unit or company. “Being a woman in the military not only affected me as a...

Todd McCormick took a 25-mile bike ride through Suffolk County on New York’s Long Island. He knew the route well; he’s ridden it before. Except this time, it was different — he rode with his...

If you were trapped on a deserted island, what is the one thing you couldn’t live without? If you said your cellular device or social media, you’re wrong. The answer is water! The human body...

Bethzaida Cabrera does not need to be in the limelight. She is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who prefers diligent teamwork and is happy to get the job done backstage. Read this story in the May...

Every day, our servicewomen and our military take giant leaps forward that pave the path for our next generation of heroes. By Jennifer Silva, Wounded Warrior Project® Chief Programs Officer...

In WWP’s Project Odyssey, warriors can address resilience and psychological well-being and increase their awareness of how sleep disruption — nightmares and insomnia — are influenced by PTSD...

THE PLAYERS Championship is once again honoring Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) warriors and their families during the lead-up to the annual tournament at TPC Sawgrass. Even though there won’t...

With the pandemic affecting daily life for the past year, it is normal to be experiencing fatigue. Sheltering in place, quarantining, and taking the necessary measures to contain the spread of...

Creating conscious habits for a healthier lifestyle is no easy feat. Veterans worked under structured guidance when it came to physical readiness during active duty. However, some see their...

As the world slowly begins to open its doors, the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) nationally recognized cycling program, Soldier Ride®, has begun to hold more personal, smaller sized cycling...

Marine veteran Taniki Richard was born and raised in the United States by Trinidadian parents. She remembers growing up surrounded by West Indian culture. The aroma of Trinidadian curry, the...

The War of 1812 is sometimes called the forgotten war because it is not studied much in school. It’s also known by some as the second war of independence. The war with Britain arose over trade...

Michael Cumming served 12 years in active duty infantry in the Marine Corps, with deployments to Iraq. He faced PTSD and survivor’s guilt when he returned to civilian life and remembers feeling...

Wounded warriors and their families have joined award-winning children’s book author Jesse Byrd multiple times during the last year for book readings, storytelling tips, and ways to connect with...

On a foggy February day in Florida, feelings of love and friendship filled the air as veteran couples fixated on a few dolphins majestically swimming by. Splash! Army veteran Nikischia Lawrence...

On Dec. 18, Marine Corps veteran Guadalupe Hernandez began a 250-mile run from Dallas to Houston to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veteran suicide. She is...

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 7, 2021) — James Martin didn’t flinch. When the coronavirus pandemic brought life to a screeching halt last year, the Marine veteran continued forward, reaching out to...

Eugene Jacques Bullard is America’s first Black pilot to fly in combat, and the only African American pilot in World War I. When WWI began in 1914, Eugene had already made his way to Europe and enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. He had an incredible life of service during both WWI and WWII and was highly decorated in France...

When you think of showing random acts of kindness to a veteran, the first thing that might occur is thanking them or calling them a hero. But that isn’t necessarily the most impactful way to...

The pandemic has affected us all in major, unpredictable ways. Combine that with some of the things wounded warriors deal with on a frequent basis — post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),...

There are many words people use to describe mental resiliency, from having inner strength to being steely, tenacious, or tough as nails. Building resilience is necessary for navigating life's twists and turns.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2021) — Completing one Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Carry Forward® 5K wasn’t enough for Army veteran Andrew Coughlan. He did one with some friends at his gym....

Applying for disability compensation benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be challenging for warriors and their families, especially while the nation continues to battle the...

In 2020, there were hard days followed by harder days for Christine Schei, caregiver to her son Erik. While deployed in Iraq with the U.S. Army in 2005, a sniper’s bullet hit Erik, causing...

With 2020 in everyone’s rearview mirror, many are ready to shed the pandemic blanket, jump off the couch and into a new year filled with unlimited possibilities, including making changes for a...

Brady Busby spent nine out of his 14 years of military service in combat-related deployments. The Army veteran served in Korea, Kosovo, Iraq three times, and Afghanistan three times. Returning...

STATE COLLEGE, Penn. (Oct. 29) — Imagine walking a marathon, all 26.2 miles of it. Then add about eight more miles. And do that every day for five days in a row. That’s what retired Army...

DENVER (Dec. 16, 2020) — In so many ways, this year has been different for Michael Purcell, especially when a foot injury in October sidelined the Denver Broncos defensive tackle for the rest of...

By Faapepele (Pele) Hunkin, Army retiree First, I want to give God all the honor, praise, and glory for his blessings upon me. I honestly do not know where to start when it comes to Wounded...

Joy is not the same as happiness, according to a Yale University researcher. Joy is a purposeful choice to see beyond the circumstances, and it can be felt alongside sorrow. Happiness often comes...

We had enough sour moments in 2020, so it’s only natural to seek sweeter and cuddlier pursuits at year’s end. What could be cuddlier or sweeter than baby goats? How about doing yoga with baby...

Air Force veteran Tom Marcum candidly admits that without help and support from Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), his life would be drastically different. While deployed in Iraq, Tom survived three...

2020 has felt like being in a time warp. The days have slowly inched along like melted wax dripping down a candle. But the year also gives us a sense of a candle extinguished too soon; how is it...