Coalition to Salute America's Heroes and The American Legion Kick Off 6th Annual Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute

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Dec 13, 2010, 05:37 ET

Nearly 400 guests, including wounded veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan wars and their families, attending event at Walt Disney World's Swan Resort

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With a program featuring a wide array of inspirational speakers and educational presentations, the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH) and The American Legion officially opened the 6th annual Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute today for severely wounded military service members from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as well as their families and guests.

At the first general session of the four-day, all-expenses-paid event, the almost 400 attendees from across the country were greeted by David Walker, chairman of the CSAH board of directors, and Peter Gaytan, executive director of the Legion in Washington, DC, who hailed them for their patriotism and willingness to have made extreme sacrifices in defense of American freedom.

"We cannot do enough to convey thanks to these brave men and women for what they have given to our country," Walker, who is vice president of the National Glass Association said later. "We hope this event will not only help them feel appreciated for their service, but also provide them with many reasons to look to the future with optimism and confidence."

Added Gaytan: "We are truly honored to be part of this special conference and to pay tribute to all of the attendees for their courage and fortitude. Making sure each of them has access to the resources that will enable them to progress along their personal roads to recovery is what this week is all about."

This year marks the first time the Legion has been a co-presenter of the conference, which was started by the non-profit, non-partisan CSAH as part of its mission to help injured and disabled service members from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom rebuild their lives. In addition to staging the event, the CSAH has, since its founding in 2004, provided millions of dollars in emergency financial relief to about 14,000 veterans and active-duty troops for urgent needs, such as food, housing and utility payments.

During the Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute, experts from government, the private sector and other non-profit organizations will be presenting attendees with critical information on topics ranging from healthcare and insurance to employment opportunities and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Service members and their spouses or guests will also have the chance to attend a career fair, receive training in resume writing and interview skills, and participate in breakout sessions on enhancing personal relationships, spouse and caregiver support, and veterans housing benefits, among many other subjects.

Support for the conference is being provided by four principal sponsors – General Motors, Humana Military, Northrop Grumman and T-Mobile – as well as a host of other companies that will be taking part in the career fair and trade show. Attendees also are being treated to a diverse lineup of entertainment, which began during Sunday evening's Welcome Reception and dinner with a performance by the Lt. Dan Band, led by actor Gary Sinise, star of "CSI: New York" and an Academy Award nominee for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in "Forrest Gump."

For more information on the Road to Recovery Conference, contact the Coalition offices at (914) 432-5400 or visit its website at www.saluteheroes.org.

SOURCE The American Legion