Wounded Warrior Project Expands Resiliency Program

New USO Partnership and Thank You Event to Take Place in Germany

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Years after leaving with their futures uncertain, four wounded warriors who have made remarkable strides in their recovery will return to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) and Ramstein Air Base to thank the health care providers who work diligently to preserve the lives of the severely wounded between their evacuation from the battlefield and before their arrival at stateside military hospitals.  During this visit, the warriors will also have the opportunity to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony on a new pavilion built by Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) for the USO Warrior Center.  This ceremony not only dedicates the pavilion, but also launches a new partnership between WWP and USO in serving wounded warriors.  The following day, WWP and USO will co-host a LRMC Staff appreciation BBQ where over 1,000 hospital staffers are expected to attend.  

The May 20-21 visit is an expansion of WWP's ongoing Resiliency Program. A recent military-wide survey indicated that hospital staff at Landstuhl were most likely to suffer from compassion fatigue when compared to other military medical facilities.  Compassion fatigue is a physical, emotional and spiritual fatigue or exhaustion that is often seen in individuals who are giving out a great deal of energy and compassion to others over an extended period of time.

"We at WWP get to see the warriors accomplish great things, integrating into successful civilian lives," said Steve Nardizzi, WWP's Executive Director.  "These doctors and nurses can begin to feel 'compassion fatigue' when they only see warriors at their worst.  We hope to share some of the inspirational stories we see every day; show them what their hard work has done and how much it is appreciated."

Accompanied by Nardizzi and Executive Vice President Bruce Nitsche, wounded warriors Andrew Kinard, Ian Lennon, Neil Duncan and Ted Wade will return to a hospital that they can scarcely remember to give the thanks they were not able to give before.  

"It's an honor and a pleasure to return to Germany and thank these doctors and nurses on behalf of all warriors," said Marine First Lieutenant Andrew Kinard (ret.).  "Although my time at Landstuhl was brief, I know that they were instrumental to my survival."

Kinard, now a candidate for a joint JD and MBA at Harvard, underwent life saving procedures at Landstuhl following an IED explosion in Iraq in September of 2006.  

Marine Corporal Ian Lennon (ret.) was treated at Landstuhl for extensive burns sustained in a fuel tanker explosion in Kuwait in 2003.  He has recently completed a training course to become a fire inspector in Jacksonville, Florida.  

Injured in Afghanistan in December of 2005, Army Sergeant Neil Duncan (ret.) struck an IED in his vehicle and was immediately transported to Landstuhl for lifesaving treatment.  Now a full-time student at Denver University, Duncan was awarded the Purple Heart while in his hospital bed in Germany.  

Sergeant Ted Wade, US Army (ret.) was transported to Germany following a Valentine's Day IED attack in 2004 while serving in Iraq.  Though his injuries were severe enough to induce a two-month coma and doctors approached the Wades with the option to terminate life support, Ted's treatment at Landstuhl laid the ground work for a recovery that continues to this day.  Ted will travel to Germany with his wife Sarah who has been his caregiver and tireless advocate since his injury.  

While each warrior has limited memories of their time at Landstuhl due to the severity of their injuries, they are looking forward to returning and giving thanks to the health-care workers on behalf of all warriors.

For more information on Wounded Warrior Project's Resiliency Program, please contact Ayla Hay at (904) 296-7350.  

About Wounded Warrior Project

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, to help severely injured men 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, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project