IMPORTANT: New AW2 Call Center Toll-Free Phone Number

Filed under General, Resources by on September 1, 2010 at 9:45 am {one comment}

By Alan Morales, WTC Stratcom

As of September 1 the AW2 Call Center toll-free phone number will change to:

New AW2 Call Center Number:       (877) 393-9058
New AW2 Call Center DSN:             (312) 221-9113

Please make note of this change to prevent any confusion.

The AW2 Call Center is a resource for you. Whether it’s a question about AW2 in general or resources available to you as an AW2 Soldier, Veteran, or Family Member, the Call Center is here to provide you the information you need.

AW2 is in the process of updating all public materials, including brochures and magnets. Therefore, materials located in places such as your home or office may list the incorrect phone number.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the new phone number listed above or contact your AW2 Advocate.

Another AW2 Veteran Presents at the 2010 VA Ann Arbor Welcome Home Celebration

Filed under Advocate Story, Career and Education, Resources by on August 31, 2010 at 10:31 am {no comments}

By Melvin Kearney, AW2 Advocate

Two years in a row an AW2 Veteran has presented the award for “Best Looking” vehicle at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System OEF/OIF Welcome Home Celebration and Car Show.

While I watched the 2010 award presentation by AW2 Veteran Amanda Mikulka, last year’s presenter, AW2 Veteran Ira Brownridge commented, “… two years back to back–seems like AW2 Veterans are leading the way!”

And he’s right. When Amanda spoke about her “road to recovery” and all of the encouragement she received, I was reminded of the reasons why I love being an AW2 Advocate.

The event was held at Wayne Ford Civic League in Wayne, MI, in conjunction with Car Show for Veterans, which is sponsored by the Motor City Motor Club, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 1A.

Indoor and outdoor activities were available, including a 250 muscle car exhibit and free food and beverages for OEF/OIF Veterans and their Families. More importantly, this year’s special attraction was a Veteran employment and education fair.

Over 85 vendors showed up to the event, including 50 employers and educational institutions.  In addition, resume building and other employment coaching was available for Veterans on-site.

After the event, I heard several OIF/OEF Veterans, including AW2 Veterans, rave about the fair. They all said that the overall experience at the Welcome Home Event was very beneficial.

Throughout the day, several Veterans gathered in front of the AW2 display and shared stories while giving advice to each other.  I laughed when one Veteran told me, “Kearney, your AW2 display stands out, it’s like you put up a 10 foot Army flag with a banner letting everyone know, “ALL ARMY VETERANS MEET HERE!”

They got no complaints from me.

The event was a success because the Veterans and Families really appreciated the interaction between other OEF/OIF Veterans and Families, local communities, VA volunteers, and educational institutions. 

I can only think about how excited I am to see which AW2 Veteran leads the way at next year’s 2011 Welcome Home Celebration and Car Show in the Great state of Michigan.

A Mother’s Perspective: The 2010 AW2 Symposium

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Soldier and Family Story, Soldier Story, Symposium by on August 30, 2010 at 1:43 pm {no comments}

By Luana Schneider, AW2 Mother

Luana Scheider (right) witnessed her son Scott Stephenson (left) publicly advocate for burn victims at the 2010 AW2 Symposium

When my son Sgt Scott Stephenson (Ret) and I decided to attend the AW2 2010 Symposium, we were unsure of what to expect. It was a poignant experience. We met so many wonderful people that we hope to have lasting relationships with and now feel a little less alone.

By hearing stories from others and how they deal with the issues that face so many of our wounded Soldiers, we felt we gave and received huge amounts of very useful information. We were also a part of initiating changes that will affect all of our wounded, whether they were in attendance or not.

By hearing all of the issues, not just ours, we were able to better understand what others are facing in their own communities. And the staff and volunteers were so helpful and informative. We could not have asked for a better experience.

My son was also one of the media spokespersons at the AW2 Symposium and was asked to give a live interview at 7:40 in the morning. Now for anyone who knows Scott, that is no time to be getting up. But he really wanted to help support AW2 and be an advocate for all wounded military. We sincerely enjoyed the AW2 Stratcom representatives; they were there prepping us on the proper ways to speak to the media. They were also very interested in Scott’s issues on being a burn patient. Scott equated being a burn patient to “being wrapped in saran wrap–your skin cannot breathe or sweat and you lose the ability to feel the breeze or the light touch of another living being.” This was an analogy that the media seemed to understand well.

It seems when we are outside of the Army, we lose touch with that military camaraderie. Having that for a week was an excellent mental boost for Scott. He returned happier and better equipped for dealing with his issues as well as wanting to be more on the front lines of our own non-profit organization. He blossomed at the symposium. And as a mother, I could not be prouder of him.

A Rewarding Challenge for an Artilleryman

Filed under WTC by on August 26, 2010 at 4:56 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

Hearing wounded warriors stories inspired BG Cheek throughout his two years as Commander.

With all our moves, tours, and policy changes, no military career is without surprise. I know I was shocked when I was asked to establish the Warrior Transition Command (WTC) that was to oversee the Army’s program to take care of our wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and their Families.

Me, a field artilleryman, an Assistant Surgeon General? 

But to build a systematic, yet personalized approach to warrior care that would positively impact retention, make a positive contribution to Army Force Generation, and help ensure a combat ready operational Reserve Component was a challenge I was honored to face.

While I worked to create the vision for the new command, I was constantly inspired by the wounded warriors that I met at Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) around the country. Their dedication to Continue on Active Duty, work hard to change MOS, and the ambitious and forward looking goals they set as Veterans kept me motivated to do my best. I couldn’t give less in my job than they did in theirs as they worked to recover and transition to life post injury. 

Each Warrior in Transition (WT) and Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Soldier or Veteran has a story to tell–many of which you can read about on both the WTC and AW2 blogs, such as:

  • Captain Scott Smiley, a blind Soldier who is currently commanding the West Point WTU
  • The wounded warrior athletes who represented the Army at the inaugural Warrior Games
  • Diana Hume, a reservist’s spouse, and her awe inspiring story of fighting for and being there for her Soldier with PTSD

To these and all the other Soldiers, Veterans, and Family Members I met, thank you for sharing your dreams and accomplishments with me. I will carry them with me as I move forward. To all the many brave warriors I came to know, thank you for your service. You are a dynamic group of Soldiers that I have been proud to serve. 

But like anything in the Army, it’s all about the team. Just as our WTs and AW2 Soldiers and Veterans rely on their triad of care or their Advocate, I relied on my staff at WTC. Their dedication to this mission and the care of our wounded, injured, and ill was at times Herculean. An idea is easy—building the required infrastructure is not. They never took the easy way, never shied away from an obstacle. I could not have asked for a stronger team, and that includes the WTU Cadre and our partners throughout the Army, the VA, and the Department of Labor—thanks for all your hard work. 

As an artilleryman, I approached my two years here with calculated focus. Identifying the necessary actions to reach the target and then move out. My successor, COL Darryl Williams, will no doubt keep the WTC and Army’s Warrior Care and Transition Program moving forward.  Coming from the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program, he understands the effort and reward of setting up Soldiers for long-term success. 

Before I move on to Army G1 as Director of Military Personnel Management, I want to share one last thought.  

Taking care of those who serve this country, as well as those in need around the world, is our responsibility. Our government. Our Department of Defense. Our Army. Our Medical Command. Our Military Health System. Our Department of Veterans Affairs. Our Veteran Service Organizations. Our corporate leaders. Our local non-profits. Our citizens. One organization alone cannot do it all. Together, our efforts will ensure that our wounded, ill, and injured Service Members can continue to serve in uniform or transition into productive retirement post injury. 

It has indeed been the good fight, the right fight. Keep up the good work.

They Laugh At Me, That’s The Goal

Filed under Soldier Story by on August 24, 2010 at 1:57 pm {one comment}

By Alan Morales, WTC Stratcom

SSG Bobby Henline uses comedy to humor, inspire, and educate his audiences.

It’s another bout of physical therapy.

While lying down on a table, AW2 Soldier SSG Robert “Bobby” Henline is staring at the fluorescent lights above him. With 35% of his body burned, Bobby’s limbs need to be stretched to prevent scarring from immobilizing his joints. The therapist begins.

The areas that did not suffer third degree burns begin shooting pain all over him. Nevertheless, as Bobby’s mind instructs him to display the physical and mental reactions of pain, his heart leads him to another course of action—crack a joke.

It was during these moments that Bobby turned to comedy to help cope with the pain. As he explained to me during a phone conversation, “…there is no way people would get this, but I figured if I could get people to laugh at me, then I would be able to get myself through my recovery.”

And laugh they did. His jokes didn’t just help him through the 3+ years of hospitalization or through the 40 or so surgeries he has undergone, in Bobby’s eyes, they more importantly made those around him crack a smile.

“They laugh at me. That’s the goal,” says Bobby. Through his comedy, Bobby attempts to break down his story so the general public doesn’t just accept his disfigurement, but rather understands that he’s still the Bobby he was before his injury—hilarious. 

For Bobby, his stand-up comedy is part of his mission to raise awareness. From influencing people to enforce fire prevention policies to giving people inspiration to overcome their own challenges, Bobby’s stand-up is more than laughter. It’s hope.

“If a smile or chuckle from a burn joke makes even just one person think about installing sprinklers in their house later down the line, then that’s one joke that may save a life.” This is the mission that Bobby has set for himself.

Even on the phone, Bobby made me laugh. While discussing his experience with skin grafts, Bobby explained, “…we may look like zombies, except we get our meat from the local morgue.” Responding with laughter, I realized that I had experienced what his audience must experience, understanding through laughter.

Bobby has taught people many new things, myself included, and is actively pursuing his career as a comedian and motivational speaker.  It’s a goal he plans to complete with each new performance and it’s a mission he plans to accomplish one laugh at a time.

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