Mark Lalli

There is a gleam in his eye every time Mark Lalli thinks of both of his grandfathers. “They served in World War II,” Mark says. “It was my dream…

Johnny Raguay

Johnny Raguay grew up on the north side of Chicago about two miles from Wrigley Field. “I will always be a Cubs fan,” says Johnny. “I always told…

Steve Bohn

Specialist Steve Bohn smiles and says, “I grew up surrounded by witches.” He’s talking specifically of Salem, Massachusetts – calling it “the…

Bobby Woods

“Something like 96 percent of all head casualties die in combat. I was familiar with that statistic even before I left, thanks to my mother,” Bobby says with a laugh.

Guy Zierk

On the day Staff Sergeant Jordan Emrick saved Guy Zierk’s life, he lost his own. Now Guy is on a mission to assist and help improve the lives of wounded…

Ryan Grams

Luck has a way of favoring those who don’t depend on it. “In the military, I was one of those guys who didn’t want to hear excuses,” Ryan Grams says.

Brian Sellers

Brian Sellers was all set to become a police officer. After years of rehab for his wartime injuries, and after even more years of study to earn a bachelor’s…

Stanley Hofferber

“I woke up one morning,” says Stanley Hofferber, “and I felt like someone had stabbed me in the chest with a butcher knife.” He was white as a ghost…

Luke Murphy

Chances are good you’ve never met anyone quite like Luke Murphy. And he’s proud of the things that set him apart. “I always wanted one,” Luke says…

Jerry Majetich

You know you’re good at what you do when there are people who want you to stop doing it badly enough to put a bounty on your head. That’s what Iraqi…

Chris Gordon

Sometimes, the movies can make a real difference in our lives. They certainly did for former Army Staff Sergeant Chris Gordon. It was the movie…

Brian and Amee Schwitters

Amee Schwitters looks lovingly at her husband Brian, takes him by the hand, and says, “Before Iraq, Brian was an almost annoyingly happy person.”

Jeffrey Adams

He was this close. Jeffrey Adams was just four credit hours away from earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Louisiana State University (LSU).

Andrew Harriman

When Andrew Harriman first became involved with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), he says he was intrigued by the concept of “the wounded helping the…

Andy Hellman

“I loved everything about Oregon,” says Andy Hellman. “Albany was a great place to grow up.” His dad served in the Air Force, and young Andy grew up…

Pat Corcoran

Patrick Corcoran loves the outdoors. “Growing up in Aurora, Colorado, I had lots of opportunities to enjoy fishing, hunting, camping, skiing, and football…

Mike Delancey

One last holiday with his family … that’s all Mike Delancey wanted toward the end of 2003. “My mother and father separated when I was young.

Carlos De León

“I wanted to find a purpose in life,” says Carlos De León about his reason for joining the Army. “And I felt being a soldier was one of the greatest…

Luke Wilson

The town of Hermiston, Oregon, says Luke Wilson, is a small farm and ranch community. It’s where he went to high school and joined the Army National…

Tim Seckel

He was 32 years old. He had been the starting quarterback on a high-school football team in Texas (yes, that is a huge deal). He’d been to culinary…

Brett Miller

At a very young age, Brett Miller knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. “I was in junior high school, and it was St. Patrick’s Day,” recalls Brett.

Chad Brumpton

“All of the sudden someone sets off an IED,” says Chad. “It punched a hole through the tank, right under my left foot.” The blast thrust Chad's head…

Deron Santiny

If you’ve ever had a swollen foot…or sprained your elbow…or bruised your knee. Imagine if those injuries were to your brain.

Brent Whitten

Brent Whitten’s wife soon became known as the waitress whose husband calls from Iraq. Brent and Rachel married a week after graduating…

Mike Heller

Mike Heller’s eyes transfixed on the broken gear shift in his hand. In a fit of rage, he had just snapped it off while slamming his car into park. As his…

Anthony Villarreal

“For he today that sheds his blood with me shall forever be my brother.” - “Henry V” Act IV, Scene III Corporal Anthony Villarreal cites that quote…

Tom Marcum

Technical Sergeant Tom Marcum pondered how to reply to the interviewer’s question: What is something most people don’t know…

Justin Constantine

“Even though I try not to,” admits Justin Constantine,“I still feel embarrassed and guilty about my injury.” A heartfelt confession like…

Joe Washam

An explosion echoed in US Army Sergeant Joe Washam’s ears as he ran for his life – his body engulfed in flames. "If this is read, tell my family…"

Tad Stuart

“As soon as we hit,” recalls Chief Warrant Officer Tad Stuart, “it was catastrophic.” His routine maintenance test flight of the OH-58D Kiowa…

Barry Albert

“I’ve got to be insane,” Barry Albert thought to himself as he hung up the phone on an Army recruiter who was in mid-sentence. The recruiter had just…

Claude Boushey

"I remember the ground coming really quick, and there was nothing I could do," Claude Boushey said, reflecting on the helicopter crash in Iraq that…

Paul De La Cerda

Paul De La Cerda walked into the Army recruiting station and told the recruiter, “I want airborne, infantry.” The recruiter questioned Paul’s…

Joe Caley

In addition to TBI, Joe suffered injuries to both feet. That, on top of the vestibular paresis, made it virtually impossible for Joe to walk.

William (Bill) Thomas

I'm inspired by other veterans who encourage me and teach me things about PTSD - like keeping my emotions, anxiety, and anger in check…

Oscar Olguin

October 28, 2004 – Ramadi, Iraq – it was supposed to be Specialist Oscar Olguin’s day to relax, de-stress, and recharge. But fate wouldn’t have…

Harold "Butch" Freeman

Born into a military family based in upstate New York, Harold "Butch" Freeman has considered the Army his second his second home ever since…

Dan Smee

Dan Smee might look like your average guy next door, but upon a closer look, there's nothing remotely average about him. A combat medic whose resilience…

David Guzman

Infamous as the menace of the neighborhood as a child, David Guzman hopes to be a famous chef in the future. The Purple Heart he wears…

Roberto Cruz

It was June of 2003 when Roberto Cruz proudly followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Army. He was deployed to Tikrit, Iraq in January…

Severa Rodriquez

"It was real hard," says Severa. "I was still kind of bitter, still kind of angry, still motivated. I loved the Marine Corps and didn't want to get out.