Veterans Catch Epic Stingray, Monarch Battle with Wounded Warrior Project

CHARLESTON, S.C., March 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Injured veterans experienced the benefits of connecting with their community and fellow service members at a recent Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) event. Warriors and guests witnessed nonstop ice hockey action when the South Carolina Stingrays took on the Manchester Monarchs.

After bonding over some pre-game pizza, veterans and guests headed to the ECHL matchup. The home team disarmed the Monarchs by scoring within the first 15 seconds of the game. While their opponents fought back, the Stingrays took away a 5-3 victory.

"It was a great opportunity to take my daughter, Sara, to see a hockey game," said U.S. Air Force veteran Derrol Turner. "I think the best part for me was talking with fellow wounded warriors at the pizza place – I knew a few of the guys there from other adventures. We appreciated the chance to catch up."

These connection events reunite injured veterans with old friends and introduce them to new ones, allowing them to create bonds similar to those 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 veterans to address their mental health issues.

"Warriors need to get out and talk with other veterans who are going through similar things in terms of dealing with mental and physical injuries and possible crisis situations in their lives," Derrol said. "That's easier to do when things are discussed between friends."

WWP staff interacted with attendees over dinner, advising them of additional services to assist in their recoveries. WWP offers programs that help injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. Generous donors make it possible for wounded warriors to take part in outreach activities and benefit from program resources at no cost to them.

To learn and see more about how WWP's programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/, and click on multimedia.

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project