Wounded Warriors Travel Back Through Time

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Jun 22, 2016, 09:12 ET

ESSEX, Conn., June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When you think about steam trains, you might think about hobos, heroes, Jesse James, Butch Cassidy, and bandits. For some veterans, a recent Wounded Warrior Project^®(WWP) steam train and riverboat outing meant a peaceful sightseeing trip through the Connecticut River Valley.

"It was so relaxing, and what beautiful scenery," says WWP Alumnus Richard Torres. "It really made you feel nostalgic about simpler times."

Wounded Warrior Project hosted a group of warriors for a train journey and eco-tourism trip around Connecticut.

Richard served two tours in Afghanistan as a member of the U.S. National Guard. During the first tour, he suffered a knee injury while flying supplies to fellow service members. The injury got worse on his second tour as a cable communications installer.

The injuries make it hard for Richard to get around sometimes, but he says the rail and riverboat adventure was easygoing.

The Essex Steam Train offers passengers an onboard eco-excursion. The train travels near the tidal wetlands of Pratt Cove and Chester Creek — bountiful, natural habitats for birds. "I'm a bird watcher," says Richard, "and we got to see a bald eagle, swans, an osprey nest, and more."

Richard also got to see plenty while listening to the river churn on the Becky Thatcher, a 70-foot Mississippi-style riverboat. A natural highlight of the water ride is the undeveloped Selden Neck State Park, accessible only by boat.

Stepping aboard the steam train and riverboat is just one more step on the road to recovery for Richard, who says spending time with other warriors also helps him forget about the pain and enjoy living. "It's good to talk with people who know what you've been through. On this excursion, I got to see some old friends and meet new ones."

About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit https://goo.gl/QYbvpg.

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SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project