Posts Tagged Wounded Warriors
Military Caregivers to Gain More Support
Posted by in Family Matters on January 31, 2012
By Elaine Sanchez
Jan. 31, 2012
Caregivers of wounded warriors often make great sacrifices to be at their loved one’s side. They quit their jobs, sell their homes and leave family members and friends behind, often for years at a time.
Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama and other senior leaders gathered to honor the service and sacrifice of these military caregivers. Alongside Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the first lady announced a proposal that would enable more military family members to take the time they need to care for their wounded and ill loved ones.
“We want to recognize the extraordinary dedication, sacrifice and service of our nation’s caregivers, not simply with words, but with deeds,” the first lady told the audience gathered at the Labor Department in Washington, D.C. “These are men and women and children who will do anything for their loved ones, no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice, no matter the consequences.”
Wounded Warrior to Star in Reality Show
Posted by in Family Matters on September 12, 2011
By Elaine Sanchez
Elaine.sanchez@dma.mil
Sept. 12, 2011
Army veteran J.R. Martinez will appear on this season of "Dancing with the Stars." Courtesy photo
A few weeks ago, I was browsing the Web, filling my insatiable appetite for pop culture trivia, when I saw a familiar face among the new cast of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”
Among a line of reality and pop stars was Army veteran J.R. Martinez, a wounded warrior turned motivational speaker and actor. I smiled as I recalled meeting the former soldier three years ago.
At the time, I was the post newspaper editor at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and had volunteered to write about a special camp for military teens whose parents were wounded or deployed.
The camp took place at the middle school, and when I arrived, the teens already had split into small groups to share their stories. One table in particular caught my eye. A group of 16- and 17-year-olds was intently listening to a wounded warrior as he shared his wartime experiences.
I approached the table, camera in hand, and first noticed his face was heavily scarred. But after a few seconds, I saw only a young man with a ready smile, at ease with the teens around him. He laughed and joked with them as he talked about his experiences and shared his message of resilience and hope, qualities he had acquired in spades several years ago.
In March 2003, Martinez was less than a month into his deployment when the Humvee he was driving struck a landmine. Three soldiers were thrown from the burning vehicle, but Martinez was trapped inside. He suffered severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body.
He spent 34 months in recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, and underwent 33 surgeries.
While in recovery, Martinez began to share his story with other burn patients, which eventually led him to become a highly sought-after motivational speaker. He now travels the country, spreading a message of resilience and optimism. He also pursued an acting career, and plays a combat veteran on ABC’s “All My Children.”
That day in San Antonio, Martinez shared his story with me and his desire to help others. He hoped the teens would be able to relate to him, he said, and gain inspiration from his story.
I met many wounded warriors in my time at Fort Sam, but Martinez left a lasting impression. He could have withdrawn after such a terrible tragedy. But instead, he has stepped into the spotlight with an indelible message of hope.
I’m excited about his upcoming appearance on the new season of “Dancing with the Stars.” While people may tune in to see the sambas and cha chas, I hope they also are reminded of the immense sacrifices our service members are making each day, and their astonishing ability to soar even after the greatest adversity.
Medical Staff Focuses on Warriors’ Families
Posted by in Family Matters on October 7, 2010
The National Naval Medical Center’s psychological health and traumatic brain injury team is working with family members to help wounded warriors recover.
Donna Miles of American Forces Press Service wrote about the program in “Families Get Tools to Assist Injured Loved Ones.”
Programs Help Warriors’ Families
Posted by in Family Matters on June 28, 2010
Heather Forsgren Weaver, a colleague of mine at American Forces Press Service, is a regular contributor to Family Matters. Heather’s been heavily involved in this blog from the start. She edits, helps write and posts content on a daily basis.
In this blog, Heather writes about a U.S. Army program to help families of the fallen, and an Air Force program that helps wounded warriors’ families.
‘I’m Here for Whatever You Need’
By Heather Forsgren Weaver
June 28, 2010
The military has always recognized the sacrifices of the families of fallen or wounded warriors, but I’d like to share some information about some ways the Army and Air Force are reaching out to help them.
The Army’s Survivor Outreach Services is a relatively new program that supports families of fallen heroes in a number of ways, and for as long as they want.
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I read about the program in an Army News article, “SOS Keeps Survivors Connected to Army Family.”
“The SOS program works with the spouse, children, siblings, parents and loco parents of the deceased servicemember, and not just in war time,” Janine Smith, Army Community Services SOS coordinator for Installation Management Command Europe, told Army News.
Read the rest of this entry »
Wounded Warrior, Wife Overcome Adversity
Posted by carol.bowers in Family Matters on November 13, 2009
By Elaine Wilson, AFPS
Nov. 13, 2009
Elaine.wilson@dma.mil
When I recently walked into the lobby of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., I felt that familiar sense of awe and excitement I always feel when I’m about to be in the presence of wounded warriors.
Wounded warrior Army Staff Sgt. Robert Canine and his wife, Jennifer, pose for a picture before Robert works out in the lower limb physical therapy area of the Military Advanced Training Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., Nov. 6, 2009. DoD photo by Elaine Wilson
These troops wage war on the battlefield and, when injured, wage a different type of war back home, a battle that requires just as much, if not more, courage and resilience.
I must admit I’m a huge fan.
I was there to meet with a wounded soldier and his wife to find out how they had weathered the depths of deployment and injury and made it through.
Army Staff Sgt. Robert Canine and his wife, Jennifer, an attractive, young couple, greeted me warmly and immediately put me at ease.
At first glance, you’d never notice that Robert had been injured. An explosive had robbed him of his legs, but he stood tall to greet me on prosthetics.
A Mexico, Mo., native, Robert told me he’d joined the Army about 10 years earlier. A year later, he married Jennifer and their son, Sebastian, arrived a year after that. His first of two deployments took place in 2003, when he did a tour in Tikrit, Iraq, with the 4th Infantry Division.