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A Mother’s Perspective: The 2010 AW2 Symposium

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.

They Laugh At Me, That’s The Goal

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas 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.

Lending a Hand: 7,000 Mile Hike for Military Families in Need

Filed under Soldier and Family Story, Soldier Story by jvargas on August 19, 2010 at 11:01 am {no comments}

By Kristle Helmuth, AW2 Spouse

Nate Helmuth (left) and Troy Yocum (right) hike through Fort Riley to help raise $5 million for military families in need.

Between going back and forth for medical appointments, and trying to overcome the feeling that he has failed his family, my husband has few things in this world that make him feel the sense of accomplishment that he felt the day that he had the honor of joining Troy Yocum on his Hike for our Heroes trip.

Iraq War Veteran Troy Yocum is hiking 7,000 miles across America, banging his drum, and sounding the call for $5 million to help military families in need. We had known about the hike for a few weeks, but it hadn’t crossed our mind to try and be part of it.

The Wednesday before the hike, I happened to notice that Hike for our Heroes was looking for volunteers on their Facebook website to assist Troy with choosing his route, and informing the public about what he was doing. I spent the rest of the day making phone calls, and composing emails about the great things Troy and his team were doing.

I secured him an MP escort, media coverage, and permission to do a meet and greet at the local Post Exchange. After all that, I was sure my job was done until Troy and his team invited me to walk with him as they journeyed through Fort Riley.

The day of the hike, we met Troy at the gate just outside post and I began my journey. About 2 miles in, I got a call from my husband. “I want to hike too,” he said. Coming from him, this was huge. He had not really done any kind of large physical event since before he was injured in Iraq.

We switched places and I followed behind them in the car, taking pictures along the way. I was sure he wouldn’t make it far, it was really hot, and one of the issues he faces with his Traumatic Brain Injury is not being able to regulate his temperature. He also suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, so his oxygen intake isn’t always the greatest.

He ended up hiking more than I did that day, and even walked in the Independence Day Parade that Saturday. Although I was bummed that I didn’t get to hike the whole time, I couldn’t have been more proud of my husband. Troy and his team were truly an inspiration to us and to so many others, if one guy can make such a huge difference, so can we! I couldn’t have asked to spend our 4^th of July weekend any other way!

For more information on the Hike for our Heroes organization, check out drumhike.com.

The “American Citizen” Defined

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas on August 16, 2010 at 9:35 am {no comments}

By Alan Morales, WTC Stratcom

SPC Tenniel Smith (right) and his wife Natasha Smith (left) during their wedding day in Clarendon, Jamaica.

American. It’s a word we probably hear every day either in the news or in daily conversation. It’s a word that unites us all and has an even more special meaning during our country’s time in war. Nevertheless, for Warrior in Transition (WT) and AW2 Soldier SPC Tenniel Smith, the word American has had a dynamic definition that has changed him for the rest of his life.

As a native-born Jamaican, SPC Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2009. Prior to his enlistment, SPC Smith had grown up travelling back and forth from Jamaica to Atlanta, GA, where his American-born father lives. Despite the difficulties of travelling back and forth between Families, Smith attended school in Jamaica while still receiving a healthy dose of American culture during his visits to the States.

During these cultural immersions, the military culture had always been one aspect of Americana that had always fascinated Smith. As he mentioned to me on the phone, “whether it was a conversation with my dad about the Army or even just watching an Army Strong commercial on TV, I always felt a hunger to enlist.” It was this statement that sparked my curiosity. Regardless of the influencing factors, what did it really mean to fight as a foreign national?

For Smith, enlisting was a way to satiate not just a hunger but a way to give back to the country that had given him so much. During his enlistment, Smith admits that his internal call to serve was being met, but that there was still something missing–his identity as an American. It was at this point that Smith decided to apply for American citizenship.

He applied twice and was denied, but after trying a third time during his deployment in Afghanistan, he was offered a citizenship application interview. As fate would have it, before the time scheduled for the interview, SPC Smith was knocked unconscious and suffered a closed fracture to his left femur during an improvised explosive device (IED) blast. Needless to say this interview was never completed. Nevertheless, after being transferred from Afghanistan to Germany, then to Washington, and now to Fort Hood, Smith would meet an individual that would help him attain the American identity he always knew he wanted.

At Fort Hood, Smith met AW2 Advocate Brandon Hicks, who with the help of the other Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) Staff, helped Smith attain the citizenship he strived to attain. As Smith still receives treatment, he now faces his second challenge–how to get his wife Natasha to the States. “The WTU Staff has been amazing and so supportive in helping me navigate through the process to get my wife American citizenship. After getting this far, they still help me work for my Family’s happiness and that is something that I will always remember,” explains Smith.

This set of circumstances made me understand that life’s challenges may be daunting, but that in the case of SPC Tenniel Smith, there is a community and network that truly cares about helping make the hard things in life a little easier.

Hanging up after my conversation with Smith, I realized that one thing was for certain. Regardless of his medical situation or his wife’s current citizenship challenges, Smith had been steadfast in overcoming the obstacles during his journey. In the greater scheme of things, Smith had definitely accomplished at least one thing in my mind. He served his country and he served it as an American.

Walter Reed Athletes Head to Warrior Games

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by jvargas on May 6, 2010 at 1:43 pm {one comment}

By Sarah Greer, WTC Stratcom

I’m so excited about the Warrior Games next week! I headed out to Colorado Springs yesterday, and there was a great surprise waiting for me at the DFW Airport as I waited for my connecting flight.

I noticed several men and women with Army Strong shirts and digi-print backpacks. Not unusual, I know—I often see uniformed military personnel in airports. But several people in this group also had prosthetics and were waiting for the Colorado Springs flight. Something told me they were headed to the Warrior Games.

Now, I’m usually a very well-mannered person, almost to a fault. But yesterday, my curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn’t help myself.

“Are you going to the Warrior Games?” I bluntly asked one of the Soldiers with as much charm as I could muster.

“I sure am,” grinned SSG Jessie White, who will be competing in archery and shot put. “There are about 14 of us on the way out from Walter Reed to adjust to the Colorado Springs altitude. We’ve got to be in great condition for the Games.”

As I’d watched these athletes mill about the DFW terminal, grabbing snacks and bottles of water, shaking off the soreness from sitting on a three-hour flight, I saw that a lot of other passengers noticed them too. I could see the pride and gratitude in these people’s faces, the appreciation for the sacrifices these—and all AW2 Soldiers and Veterans—have made in defense of our freedom.

For me, this was a great start to the Warrior Games experience—the event will be an inspiring example of the warrior strength residing deep inside every Soldier in the U.S. Army. If the enthusiasm demonstrated by the Walter Reed group is an indication of the whole Army team, Army will make a strong showing next week!

Check back to the AW2 Blog throughout the Warrior Games for an inside look at the athletes and action. The WTC Stratcom team will be on the ground and blogging all week. You can also follow BG Gary Cheek, Warrior Transition Command Commander, as he blogs about his Warrior Games experience as well.

AW2 Soldiers Competing in Warrior Games Find Success by Continuing their Active Service

Filed under Adaptive Sports by jvargas on May 3, 2010 at 10:52 am {no comments}

SGT Robert Price received Warrior Games marksmanship instruction at the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Fort Benning

By Jim Wenzel, WTC Stratcom

Wounded Soldiers from across the country will soon be arriving at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, CO, for the Warrior Games. Not content to simply overcome individual challenges of healing and recovery, these Soldiers are hungry to test themselves and represent the Army in the competitive arena. For some AW2 Soldiers, their participation reflects their desire to look forward to future goals and challenges beyond recovery. Many of them share a common goal—to continue on active duty in the Army (COAD), or Army Reserve (COAR).

SGT Robert Brown became an AW2 Soldier after sustaining injuries during enemy contact in Iraq that required the amputation of his right leg below the knee. He has been approved to continue his active career and is now a competitor in the Warrior Games. He will compete in the ‘Ultimate Warrior’ pentathlon and as a member of the Army 200 meter free swim relay team. His goal is to use the Games to test himself as he prepares for the U.S. Paralympic Games.

Wounded by shrapnel during Operation Iraqi Freedom, SGT Lilina Benning now spends many hours a week preparing for the compound bow portion of the archery event, the standing shot put, and as a member of the Army sitting volleyball team. She is an AW2 Soldier approved to COAD and feels strongly that her training for the upcoming Games helps as both physical and occupational therapy.

Also making the journey to Colorado will be SGT Robert Price. He was hit by an IED in January 2007 and the wound to his right leg required amputation below the knee. SGT Price is an AW2 COAD Soldier competing in the 10 meter air rifle (prone), archery (compound open), and sitting volleyball events. He has been actively shooting for three years and recently trained with the United States Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning. Ultimately his goal is competing in the 2012 Paralympic Games.

In the face of adversity, these Soldiers have chosen to accept the challenge of top-level competition. Their selection to COAD and compete not only opens up the possibility of victory at the Games, but also future success through their active service and perhaps a journey that may lead some to the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

Other AW2 COAD Soldiers going to Warrior Games include: WO1 Johnathan Holsey, SGT Michael Lukow, SFC Andrew McCaffrey, SSG Eric Moriarty, SFC Landon Ranker, and SSG Curtis Winston. For more information about eligibility and application to COAD/COAR go to the AW2 website here. To follow the May 10-14 Warrior Games, check the AW2 Blog often—our team will be blogging from the OTC all week!

AW2 Weekly Digest April 12-23

Filed under Soldier Story, Weekly News Digest by jvargas on April 26, 2010 at 8:45 pm {no comments}

AW2 Veterans Juan Arredondo, Bryan Hinojosa, Brian Neuman, and Michael Schlitz and AW2 Soldiers SGT Robert Brown and MAJ David Underwood, featured in Army News, encouraged paratroopers to help stop Soldier suicides.
AW2 Soldier SPC Charles Berninghausen was featured in a 9 NEWS article about the assistance he received from AW2 and Freedom Service Dogs.
AW2 Veterans Heath Calhoun and Melissa Stockwell, featured on DCmilitary.com, were special guests at a showing of ‘‘Warrior Champions, From Baghdad to Beijing,” at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
AW2 Veteran Heath Calhoun, featured on Whowon.com, unveiled the official race logo on the pace car, took some laps, and participated in media interviews for the The Heath Calhoun 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race. He is also featured in a Defense News article Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates hosting the Paralympic Team at the Pentagon.
BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander, was featured in Defense News discussing Warrior Games and in the Fort Hood Sentinel discussing Ride 2 Recovery.
AW2 Soldier SSG Leon Cooper, featured on DCmilitary.com, helped their fellow warriors and others evacuate the building and prevented anyone from being injured during a fire at Walter Reed.
AW2 Soldier MAJ Tammy Duckworth, featured in Lahontan Daily News, shared a powerful message about her personal quest for success as a Veterans advocate at the third annual Nevada Women Veterans Summit. She was also featured in DOD “Wounded Warrior Diaries.”
AW2 Soldier SGT Andrew Eads, featured on KMEGTV14, was offered an all-expenses-paid hunting trip from a group of Nebraskans.
AW2 Veteran Nicholas Ebbinghaus was featured in Building Strong ® in an article about AW2 Advocate Joyce Garrett providing career assistance and his new career opportunity.
AW2 Soldier SGT Derrick Ford and his Family, featured on DCmilitary.com, are learning to adjust to a ‘new normal’ off Walter Reed.
AW2 Veteran Steve Holloway was featured in WPTV for receiving a specially adapted home from Homes for Our Troops.
AW2 Veteran Nathan Hunt was featured on the Pentagon Channel on April 12 in a story about wounded warriors participating in a Ride 2 Recovery event. He is also slated to receive a specially adapted house according to PR Newswire.
AW2 Soldier SGT John Hyland, featured on Motorsport.com, been selected to sing the national anthem for Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on May 30.
AW2 Veteran Matthew Lammers was featured in an Action 3 News and KTRK article for receiving a specially adapted home from the HelpingaHero.org Home Program.
AW2 Soldier SGT Daniel Lopez, featured in Peninsula Warrior and WAVY-TV 10, will participate in the Warrior Games.
AW2 Soldier SPC Brendan Maracco featured in 1010 WINS, the Staten Island Advance, and the New York Daily News, will receive a specially adapted home from his community.
AW2 Veteran Ryan Newell, featured in Army Times, will receive a specially adapted house from Homes for Our Troops.
AW2 Soldier SFC Josh Olson, featured in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, provided expert instruction to wounded warriors to help them prepare for the Warrior Games.
AW2 Soldier SPC Ryan Price and his spouse Terry, featured in San Diego News, received a wedding to remember from his community.
AW2 Veteran Edwin Salau, featured in the Jacksonville Daily News, participated in a weekend in New York City for intensive training and mentorship on making a fresh career start in the civilian world.
AW2 Veteran Craig C. Smith, featured in Defense News, is training for next month’s inaugural Warrior Games.
AW2 Soldier SPC Branden Stackenwalt, featured in the Rapid City Journal, will receive a specially adapted home as part of Operation Opening Doors.
AW2 Soldier SGT Matt Williams was featured in Medical Device Daily in an article about controversial treatment for TBI and PTSD.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.

Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed Ready to Fight For the Title of ‘Ultimate Warrior’

Filed under Adaptive Sports, WTC by jvargas on April 23, 2010 at 7:41 pm {no comments}

SGT Rob Brown practicing shot put

By Jim Wenzel, WTC Stratcom

SGT Robert “Rob” Laux and SGT Robert “Rob” Brown may be recuperating and healing from injuries they sustained in combat, but that won’t stop them from returning to battle with wounded warriors from the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard at the 1st Annual Warrior Games to be held at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, CO, on May 10–14, 2010.

SGT Laux and SGT Brown have chosen to compete in the “Ultimate Warrior”, a pentathlon consisting of two track events, 50 meter free swim, 10 meter air rifle, and shot put. Even though both will be competing for the Army team, the joking and conversation at shot and discus training Tuesday, April 20, demonstrated a fierce competitiveness that comes with the understanding that only one soldier, sailor, airman, or marine can be the Ultimate Warrior.

SGT Laux and SGT Brown’s training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center will soon wind down as competitors leave for the OTC on May 5, and begin the final stage of preparation at the far more demanding height of 7,000 feet above sea level. In the Walter Reed auditorium that afternoon, the athletes were reminded of the harsh role altitude will play by Charlie Hubner, Chief of Paralympics, U.S. Olympic Committee and leader of a delegation of Olympians and Paralympians from Beijing and Vancouver Games.

During the USOC presentation, the Warrior Games athletes previewed “Warrior Champions”, a movie about the inspiring story of four wounded Iraq war Veterans who overcame their injuries to compete at the 2008 Summer and 2010 Winter Paralympic Games. Melissa Stockwell, a U.S. Paralympic Team swimmer, and Heath Calhoun, a world-class U.S. Paralympic Team skier, also spoke about the power of healing through sports and their journey from rehabilitation at Walter Reed to the Olympic stage.

Heath, who was chosen to carry the U.S. flag at the Vancouver Opening Ceremonies, said during difficult periods of recovery, “50% of getting there is taking the first step.”

These powerful words of encouragement from former Soldiers who suffered combat-related injuries requiring the loss of one or both legs and went on to realize their dreams of Olympic competition could not have come at a better time for these Warrior Games athletes. Perhaps the Games will lead some of them down a similar path to the London Paralympic Games of 2012 or inspire them to achieve other life goals inside or outside of the sporting arena. Certainly for SGT Laux and SGT Brown it has steeled their resolve to become the Warrior Games 2010 Ultimate Warrior.

Passing the Torch

Filed under Advocate Story, Soldier Story by jvargas on January 6, 2010 at 12:28 pm {one comment}

SSG Cynthia Lyons of the 423rd Transportation Company meets with Dennis McCormack (left) and Joe Fowler. Fowler replaced McCormack as Lyons' Army Wounded Warrior representative, and this was Fowler's first chance to get to talk with Lyons and understand her situation.

By Stacie Shain
Fort Carson Warrior Transition Battalion Public Affairs Officer

When Joe Fowler met Advocate Dennis McCormack over two years ago as he entered the Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) program, he never dreamed he would someday take over his job. But when McCormack decided to retire in November, he knew Fowler was the perfect replacement.

“When I decided I was going to retire, and I knew Joe wanted to go to work, I thought he’d be perfect for the job,” Dennis said.

For Fowler, it’s a chance to give back to a program that has helped him recover and move on with his life. He gave up Social Security and disability benefits to accept the job.

“I think I bring a different perspective to the job,” Fowler said. “I can show other AW2 Soldiers that there is an end to it all. And I want to help out and do anything I can to give back.”

Said McCormack: “Joe is an inspiration to many Soldiers. His attitude is great. He shows how someone can serve, get injured, and then come back.”

Coming back hasn’t been easy for Fowler, however. He’s already had 19 surgeries and faces a few more to recover from injuries he received in Iraq four years ago while working as a dog handler with the 759th Military Police Battalion, 148th MP detachment and attached to the 10th Mountain Division.

On December 11, 2005, Fowler and his Belgian Tervuren, Dak, were being dropped off for a three-day mission to search trucks near Baghdad. Elections were upcoming, and tensions were high. Just four minutes outside Camp Victory, the Humvee Fowler was riding in rolled over an improvised explosive device (IED), and the anti-tank mine caused the Humvee to explode.

“I was ejected from the Humvee,” said Fowler. “I was still on fire, and I saw flames on my body. First thing I did was try to calm down. The ‘stop, drop, and roll’ doesn’t really work when you are wearing body armor with ammo pouches, so I had to take off my vest, and then roll.”

Injured Soldiers were everywhere. The gunner and the driver landed to the right of the explosion in a culvert. The gunner broke his pelvis, had a fractured left foot that later had to be amputated, and traumatic brain injury. The driver also fractured his pelvis and had minor burns on his hands.

The truck commander was thrown 300 feet and died instantly.

Once he’d put out the flames, Fowler immediately searched for Dak, only to find that his dog had been killed in the blast.

Within minutes, a combat medic arrived to start treating the injured, and Fowler was loaded in a truck and taken to the troop medical clinic at Camp Victory. From there, he was loaded into a Black Hawk and placed in a medical-induced coma. Fowler doesn’t remember the trip back to the U.S., arriving at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas, on December 14, 2005.

BAMC became Fowler’s new home, as he spent almost two years there getting treatment for his burns, a broken right ankle, a broken right wrist and a dislocated right elbow. While the burns were mostly on his right side, 54 percent of them were second- and third-degree burns.

Although he grew up in Oceanside, California, Fowler wanted to return to Colorado Springs when he was released from the hospital.

“I had spent 10 years on active duty, and I had a lot of friends still here in the area, so I wanted to come back here,” he said.

Following his release from BAMC, Fowler took a year off to enjoy time with his wife, Leslie, and son, Shane, who was born during his deployment.

“I took that time off to really do nothing,” he said. “I wanted to go fishing, mountain biking, and hiking.”

Fowler was also named a Sentinel in the Sentinels of Freedom program. The program provides what its Web site (www.sentinelsoffreedom.org) calls “life scholarships,” which help severely wounded veterans become self sufficient.

The program allowed Fowler to return to school, helped Leslie Fowler get a teaching job in Colorado, and refurbished his home. Fowler is still involved in the program, helping coordinate outreach events for the organization and attending events.

“I’m the pretty face,” he said.

But now Fowler is more than a Sentinel. He’s an AW2 Advocate to 44 Soldiers who are in the program.

“The best I can do is to talk to these Soldiers and tell them there’s an end to what they are going through,” Fowler said. “I can help them get to their end goal and do whatever makes them happy.”

Fowler is spending his first two months meeting every AW2 Soldier under his advocacy, talking with them, getting a feel for their needs, and letting them get to know him and what he’s been through in his recovery.

Along with AW2 Advocate Ed Butler, Fowler is primarily concentrating on Soldiers at Fort Carson who are not in the Warrior Transition Battalion.

While Fowler steps into his position, McCormack plans to travel with his wife, spend more time with his grandchildren, work with local non-profit organizations, such as Homefront Cares, and try to make more connections between Fort Carson and the local community.

“I’ll stay busy with projects, working to help veterans and wounded warriors,” McCormack said. “And I’ll keep in touch and work with Joe to keep supporting Soldiers.”

While he was feeling guilty about leaving the AW2 program, McCormack knows he leaves it in capable hands.

“Joe will do just fine,” he said. “Knowing Joe is my replacement makes me feel better about retiring.”

The Army Wounded Warrior program is “the official U.S. Army program that assists and advocates for severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families, wherever they are located, for as long as it takes,” according to its Web site (www.aw2.army.mil). AW2 provides personalized support to the most severely injured or ill Soldiers who suffered injuries or illnesses during Overseas Contingency Operations since Sept. 11, 2001. Such support includes services in career and education, finance, health care, human resources, insurance, and family services.

As of August 2009, there are more than 5,000 Soldiers in the AW2 program and approximately 160 Advocates worldwide. Dennis said the number of AW2 Soldiers has doubled in the past 30 months.

There are seven AW2 Advocates in Colorado Springs, including six at Fort Carson (four who work with the Warrior Transition Battalion, plus Fowler and Butler who work with the 4th Infantry Division) and another in Colorado Springs who works with the veteran population in town.

AW2 Symposium

Filed under 2009 Symposium, Advocate Story, Symposium by jvargas on April 22, 2009 at 8:15 am {no comments}

- by Sue Maloney, AW2 Advocate -

In June 2008, I had the opportunity to attend the AW2 Symposium as an Advocate from the field. Because there were Soldiers and their Families from Washington State, I thought it was an important part of my Advocate role to volunteer. Fortunately for me, someone at HQ agreed.

In reality, Symposium was more than I expected it to be. Administratively, it allowed me to meet the staff and understand how to work with them more effectively. The other Advocates inspired me by their strength, commitment, humor and experience. We worked, interacted and played together while spending time with Soldiers and Families during the duty day and after hours. They helped broaden my role as an Advocate in subtle and not so subtle ways, each using their own strength and unique style to build relationships.

Most importantly, I spent time with Soldiers and their Families. I observed, maybe for the very first time, their strength and challenges up close and personal. Many wounds were visible, others were not. At various times, they talked about frustrations yet they frequently expressed appreciation for the smallest things. Many reached out to offer friendship and support to one another. There was a lot of giving throughout the week.

During registration, I saw teenagers who did not buy into the “mandatory fun” requirement for AW2 and Operation Purple “stuff.” They obviously did not want to be part of this grand adventure in Indianapolis, IN. Yet, at the first Parents and Kids meeting, on the very first night, they began to build life changing friendships that only strengthened during the week. There was a magic in the hotel that began within hours of check-in. I wish every child could experience the wonder of Operation Purple; as an outsider to the process, lives were changed. Kids were normal and they didn’t have to explain their family situations.

Since AW2 Symposium 2008, I have a stronger commitment to Wounded Warriors and their Families. They taught me a lot that week and continue to help me grow as a person and, most importantly, an Advocate. Our Soldiers and Families are inspirational people that bring honor to America! They will both amaze and surprise you with their experiences, contributions, struggles and survivals. Their strength and passion might bring you to tears; they will have stories to tell and I’m confident you will laugh and cry during the week.

As an Advocate, it’s important that you work with your Wounded Warriors to ensure this is a successful experience for them. It is hard work, emotional at times and physically draining. One of the attendees, several years past his injury, expressed his dismay about how emotionally draining the process was for him. Although families will benefit from the trip, especially children attending Operation Purple Camp, it might be difficult to share a room without having personal space. This will not be the same experience as a fun family vacation. There might be out of pocket expenses and the hotel might not be co-located next to discount stores to help ease the financial burden.

AW2 Symposium helped me to feel more connected to AW2 and, I hope, a better Advocate for our Wounded Warriors. I encourage you to consider participating in the 2009 event scheduled for July 8-14, 2009 in San Antonio, TX.

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