Veterans Cheer On Huskers Football with Wounded Warrior Project
LINCOLN, Neb., Dec. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The afternoon air might have been chilly, but that did not stop a group of injured veterans from venturing to Memorial Stadium with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) to see the Cornhuskers take on the Maryland Terrapins. Warriors and family members enjoyed the game and the chance to spend time with fellow veterans. WWP outreach events provide opportunities for socialization – in environments that accommodate physical injuries and social anxieties.
More than 50 warriors and guests showed up ready to cheer for the Big Red. With grouped seating, they were able to watch the game while connecting with old friends and forming bonds with new ones. The lively atmosphere was amplified when the Cornhuskers routed the Terrapins with a final score of 28-7.
"I had an amazing time being around these other warriors and fellow Huskers fans," said Army and National Guard veteran Gerald Meyer. "It was a perfect way to watch the game."
Outreach activities support the long-term recovery needs of warriors by reintroducing them and their families to the unique bonds experienced during military service. In a WWP survey of the injured warriors it serves, more than half of survey respondents (51.7 percent) talked with fellow Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn veterans to address their mental health issues.
"It's good for us to get out there into the world again – around crowds and other people," Gerald said. "Out on the field, a team is working toward a goal – it's a drive and tenacity that I recognize in my fellow warriors."
WWP staff members interacted with attendees throughout the afternoon, advising them of additional services to assist in their recoveries and providing warriors with personalized therapeutic outlets. The programs assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. Through the generosity of donors, outreach events and program resources are available to warriors and their families at no cost to them.
"I am very proud to be a part of the Wounded Warrior Project family," Gerald said. "My family loves the opportunities to connect with other warriors and families who have had similar experiences. That spirit of camaraderie is so important for all of us."
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