Wounded Warrior Project Veterans Form Connections at Barbecue Dinner

MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What can be better than a smoked barbecue dinner with brisket, burnt ends, and pulled pork? Enjoying that meal with fellow veterans and Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP)! Warriors and guests recently met up at Smokin' Al's Famous BBQ Joint to chow down and connect with fellow service members in their community.

"Attending gatherings like this reminds me people out there still care," said Army veteran John Abreu. "As a civilian on your own, people don't know who you are or what you did. But when I'm out with Wounded Warrior Project veterans, people around us know who we are and what we've done. They thank us for our service. It's a great feeling."

These connection activities support the long-term recovery needs of warriors with a special type of therapy: reintroducing injured veterans and their families to the unique bonds experienced during military service. In a WWP survey of the injured warriors it serves, more than half of survey respondents (51.7 percent) talked with fellow Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn veterans to address their mental health issues.

"Connecting with other veterans can make a major difference in your life," John said. "It's something I look forward to every time I participate in events with Wounded Warrior Project. You don't realize the significance of those military bonds until they're part of your past, not your present."

WWP staff socialized with wounded warriors throughout the meal, informing them of programs and services to support their recoveries. WWP programs and services assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. Generous donors make it possible for wounded warriors to take part in outreach activities and benefit from program resources at no cost to them.

To learn more about how WWP's programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. 

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project