Wounded Veterans Tour Hawaii

Custom Jeeps Provide Unique Views of the Island

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Mar 18, 2016, 05:30 ET

Wounded veterans experience the beauty of Hawaii during special tour.

Along with the sights, wounded veterans learned about the island and enjoyed camaraderie of other injured service members

OAHU, Hawaii, March 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded veterans and their families were recently granted the chance to experience the beauty of Oahu, from the comfort of a customized Jeep.

Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) took more than a dozen wounded veterans and their families on a tour to help in the recovery process. Getting out of the house and socializing helps injured service members cope with the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other wounds from their military service.

WWP offers 20 direct programs and services to wounded veterans, their families, and caregivers - all free of charge. The Alumni program provides individual support structures through shared experiences. Injured veterans who have registered are considered Alumni because they have earned their place in the organization.

"As a newcomer to Hawaii, there are many parts of the island that I have not had the opportunity to explore," WWP Alumna and Navy veteran Tam Reed said.

"The driver was entertaining, funny, friendly, and informative," WWP Alumnus and Army veteran Aster Aguinaldo, Jr. said. "The location of our first stop has amazing views and is a great place to snorkel."

"He shared many interesting facts about the island throughout the tour, and made recommendations that were greatly appreciated," Tam said.

Aster and Tam not only enjoyed the tour, they also enjoyed spending time with their fellow veterans.

"I enjoyed meeting a fellow tanker," Aster said. "I'm Army, and he is a Marine, but it didn't matter, we clicked right away."

"Wounded Warrior Project is a needed resource for healing both the mind and body for injured veterans," Tam said. "It is also a great opportunity to feel a sense of camaraderie that serves to heal the spirit."

Among the programs offered by WWP, Transition Training Academy teaches different levels of computer and internet technology. TTA then helps the wounded veteran, his or her family, or caregiver through the certification process, to help provide new employment opportunities. More than 5,300 wounded veterans, their families, and caregivers were positively impacted by Economic Empowerment programs in February alone. Learn more about TTA at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/transition-training-academy.aspx.

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 woundedwarriorproject.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160318/345881
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160318/345882

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project