Veterans Connect Over Delicious Dinner with Wounded Warrior Project

HONOLULU, April 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) veterans recently connected with one another during a friendly dinner. As they got their fill of brisket, porchetta, and pig head, warriors experienced firsthand what is possible at social events that get them out of the house to engage with fellow service members.

Participants enjoyed the family-style meal, and to get the social interaction flowing, warriors and guests played a round of "What's the craziest thing you've ever eaten?" and shared branches of service.

"I just moved to Hawaii, so I try to attend as many Wounded Warrior Project events as possible so I can get to know veterans in my area," said Jeff Friedman, who is active duty in the Army. "My girlfriend came with me to the dinner, and she's outgoing, which helped me to be more sociable."

These connection activities support the recovery needs of warriors by reintroducing them to the 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 veterans to address their mental health issues.

"I am always looking to do more to help my fellow service members," Jeff said. "Sometimes I try to get people to join, and they are apprehensive because they feel they're 'too broken' and don't want pity or they are 'too able-bodied' and don't want to take the space from those who really need it. It's my hope that I can help them see Wounded Warrior Project is a place where they are all welcome."   

A WWP staff member interacted with attendees, advising them of additional services to assist in their recovery processes. Thanks to generous donors, WWP programs and services are offered free of charge to warriors, their caregivers, and families, and they help with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, connecting warriors with one another and their communities, and long-term care for the most seriously wounded.

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

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