SMI Partners With Wounded Warrior Project to Send Injured Vets Fishing With Bass Master Pro Angler Mark Shepard

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May 21, 2010, 07:00 ET

BUTLER, Pa., May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SMI, a manufacturer of cold therapy products and services for hospitals and outpatient surgery centers, has joined forces with the Wounded Warrior Project to send injured U.S. veterans bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service members.

Eight wounded warriors will take part in four SMI-sponsored fishing trips: May 23-26; June 6-9; August 11-14 and October 12-14. Iraq war veterans, Sergeant First Class David Calhoun of Laceyville, PA, and Lance Corporal Joshua Rockwell, 22, of Scranton, PA, will be the first to participate.

Rockwell, a medically retired machine gunner, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006 and was injured in October 2007. While on patrol with a Humvee team, his left foot was crushed in the line of duty.

Calhoun, 45, a medically retired battalion armor and training manager, joined the Army in 1985, saw five deployments and was injured in July 2003. His Humvee was on the outskirts of Baghdad when an IED hit and flipped his vehicle. The explosion destroyed Calhoun's kneecaps and trapped the driver, Lt. Jonathan Pruden. Despite his injuries, Calhoun carried Pruden to safety before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

The Florida Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management will award a 5-year freshwater fishing license along with a promotional package of tackle samples, fishing publications and discount coupons to each of the WWP veterans as part of its recent promotion of Florida, the Fishing Capital of the World. For information, visit http://myfwc.com/license/Freshwater_5-year-license.htm

SMI is a women-owned, veteran-operated manufacturer of the highest quality cold therapy products for the orthopedic community. Our post-operative products are designed for inpatient and outpatient procedures including total joint replacements and sports medicine. Our simple-to-use, long-lasting, 3.5-hour Gel Bag Compression Bandage Wrap System requires fewer nurse interventions and is changing the orthopedic standard of care. SMI's facility-specific protocols create efficiencies that enhance patient care while achieving improved clinical outcomes and cost reductions. Headquartered in Butler, PA, SMI is proud to be made in America. For more information, visit www.solutionmatrix.com or call 724.431.6147.

SOURCE SMI