® Volume 50 H February 2015 Providing Emergency Aid to Troops Severely Disabled in the War on Terror The Coalition stepped in and Celebrating TEN YEARS of changing heroes’ lives helped us when we needed them “ the most. They covered the gap 2014 was an exciting year for the Inside your special 10 th Anniversary for us financially and kept the Coalition as we celebrated our 10 th newsletter you’ll find updates on “ lights on, and a roof over our Anniversary of helping severely disabled exciting Coalition programs and events head, and food in our stomachs. war on terror veterans recover and rebuild. – and a very special look back at some That, to me, is an incredible And it’s your generous support that of the heroes we’ve helped over the past gesture of thanks. 10 years. — Torrey Shannon, wife of a makes it all possible. So thank you from disabled veteran the bottom of our hearts. I hope you’re excited and Whether you’ve been a friend of the encouraged to see how your faithful Coalition for one year or for ten, support, patriotic spirit, and generous together we are changing veterans’ lives. giving are making a difference every day in the lives of American heroes. Inside your Road to Recovery Report: Letter from President Invisible Wounds: The Deadly Scars Salute to a Special Hero David Walker of PTSD page 13 page 2 page 10 What these veterans wrote to Santa 10 Years of Helping Heroes: A Special Women Warriors: Unique Challenges may break your heart... Look Back Facing our Female Vets page 15 pages 8-9 page 12 Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes ★ PO Box 96440 ★ Washington, DC 20090-6440 ★ www.saluteheroes.org ★ 1-888-447-2588 Letter from President David Walker Board of Directors David W. Walker President & Chief Executive Officer LTC Thomas J. Orlowski U.S. Army (Ret.) Chairman Gail Laude Vice-Chairman Tom Sircher Director Bruce Kelly Dear Friend of Our Wounded Heroes, Secretary and Treasurer 2014 marked an important milestone for the Coalition to Salute America’s th Ambassador Corps Heroes: The 10 anniversary of our unique mission to provide emergency financial aid to troops severely wounded in the war on terror. Major General John K. Singlaub U.S. Army (Ret.) I say “unique” because the Coalition remains the leading organization Chairman dedicated to providing emergency financial aid to heroes struggling and suffering Lt. Colonel Roy White to make ends meet after their lives were shattered by war. USAF (Ret.) While the face of the war on terror has changed vastly over the past ten Colonel Evan G. Miller years, one thing that hasn’t changed is the reason we are here. U.S. Army (Ret.) Colonel Charles Bogle A steady stream of wounded veterans returning home from war continues – U.S. Army (Ret.) many missing arms and legs, some badly burned, and others suffering from Colonel Pamela S. McGinty traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder. And heroes who have USAF (Ret.) been home for months or even years continue battling the overwhelming SFC Dana Bowman challenges of their injuries. U.S. Army (Ret.) It is truly amazing how medical teams in combat zones save wounded David Wetherell warriors who would have died in earlier wars – but it also means our military U.S. Army (Ret.) men and women are returning with physical and mental scars they will be a long Jimmy Gunn time overcoming. Entertainer Attending to their immediate needs is the Coalition’s primary mission. Jack Scalia There is always a gap of months or years between a wounded warrior’s return Actor home and the payment of benefits. For ten years now the Coalition has been Field Management Team stepping in to help thousands of them with emergency checks to cover their urgent, immediate needs. Donny Daughenbaugh U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) It is our honor to serve these American heroes – side-by-side with our Vice President, Field Operations faithful friends and supporters. Jorge De Leon And this anniversary is the perfect time to thank you – because without you, U.S. Army (Ret.) Field Representative, West the past ten years of helping these suffering heroes would not have been possible. Mary Jessie Herrera Thank you for your faithful support. U.S. Army (Ret.) Field Representative, West Thank you for your unwavering generosity. Jil Hinds Thank you for your patriotism. Field Representative, Southeast I’m honored to count on you as a friend and have you by my side as we Rob Jones move forward int o a new year – a new decade for the Coalition – and new Field Representative opportunities to salute America’s heroes. Matthew Pennington With gratitude, U.S. Army (Ret.) Field Representative, East David Walker President & CEO 2 Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes — A Decade of Service to Our War on Terror Heroes Your Coalition in Action The practical ways your gifts change lives Your gift provides Easter & other holiday meals to veteran families oalition’s Easter, Thanksgiving government disability check. Often veterans that we remember them and and Christmas Meals Projects they’re so badly injured their spouses appreciate their sacrifices. provide thousands of severely are forced to quit their jobs to take care We completed successful wounded troops with $60 each so their of them – and their family is suddenly C Thanksgiving and Christmas Meals families – who have sacrificed so without income. much – can enjoy a special dinner Projects this past holiday season, These families struggle to put any during the holidays. thanks to the generous giving of food on the table – let alone a special Coalition donors. And we’re just As a faithful Coalition supporter, holiday dinner with all the trimmings. kicking off our 2015 Easter Meals you know our disabled troops and These special meals projects are just Project, so look for important updates veterans wait an average of 10 months another way Coalition donors’ gifts go and opportunities to help coming to (and sometimes longer) for their first to work to show our severely disabled your mailbox soon! Your gift saves disabled veterans from homelessness and hunger he Emergency Financial Aid for a disabled hero who is unable to table, or a car in the driveway. Program is at the heart of our work, that wait spells disaster for Sometimes he will use it for medical mission to provide direct their family – especially when their bills; sometimes she will use it to Tassistance – with your generous spouse often has to leave their job to pay overdue utility bills. help – to our veterans severely become a full-time caregiver for wounded in the war on terror. their loved one. But no matter what the emergency, you can rest assured A sluggish bureaucracy has our When you donate to the that your gift is drastically changing disabled troops and veterans waiting Emergency Financial Aid Program, the life of a wounded hero who an average of 10 months (and your gift goes to work quickly to might otherwise go homeless, sometimes longer) for their first help a disabled veteran keep a roof hungry, or suffer some other government disability check. But over his family’s head, food on the frightening hardship. Your gift gives Christmas presents to struggling veterans’ families he Coalition’s Secret Santa They certainly don’t have money for Project provides $500 extras like Christmas gifts. Christmas gift checks to our That’s why we created the Secret Ttroops who have been maimed, burned, Santa Project. The Coalition – and our blinded, or suffered other severe generous donors, like you – couldn’t injuries in Afghanistan or Iraq so they stand the thought of children being can give their families a few Christmas heartbroken on Christmas morning by presents. In fact, we concluded another getting nothing from Santa because successful Secret Santa Project their wounded parent couldn’t afford it. about a month ago! Dan and Torrey Shannon at the Road to Each year we receive letters from Recovery Conference. Dan was disabled The severely disabled troops and grateful veterans overwhelmed by the in Iraq after receiving an AK-47 round to veterans your Coalition gifts reach are generosity of Coalition donors. Look the head. in financial dire straits – they are for some of those heartwarming letters struggling to keep their home, pay the on the back page of an upcoming electric bill, and put food on the table. newsletter. The Road to Recovery Report 3 Your Coalition in Action our Coalition is committed to doing all we can to change the lives of our nation’s severely disabled war on terror veterans. To further that mission we’re constantly working to raise awareness about the Yissues they face and reaching out to help them in the community. Coalition proudly supports Lions Club honors Coalition, Warrior Beach Week hosted by Rob Jones Journey Operation SEAs the Day n September 27 the Lovettsville, Virginia Lions Club rom September 2-7, Bethany Beach, & Protective Game Association presented the Delaware welcomed 35 soldiers and Coalition with a check for $2,300 in honor of our work their immediate families for a well- Oand in recognition of the Rob Jones Journey. On hand for the deserved week of rest and relaxation. The event were (left to right) Board Member Bruce Kelly, President F David Walker, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Rob’s parents. A families stayed in homes/condos donated to them by local homeowners and provided the sincere THANK YOU to the Lovettsville Lions Club and resources for a stress-free vacation. Lovettsville Protective Game Association for their support! Coalition CEO David Walker invited to address senior IRS leadership team he turnout was fantastic and we were honored that the Commissioner of the IRS, John TKoskinen, took time away from his extremely busy schedule to attend and listen to David.