When my husband was injured we spent a lot of time at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The thing that made the biggest impression on me during the time I spent in the waiting rooms were all the young men and women I saw in wheel chairs, using crutches, or missing arms or legs. I remember sitting next to one family in the neurology waiting room and the young man had a scar that went all the way across his head. You could tell by watching him that he had severe difficulties communicating and it didn’t seem hopeful he would ever fully recover.
My heart broke for these young service members. I couldn’t imagine losing so much so young. I wish I had time to talk to every one of them, listen to their stories, and thank them for their sacrifice.
When Cracker Barrel contacted me and asked if I would spread the word about their partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project I was thrilled to help in this small way. If you aren’t familiar with the Wounded Warrior Project it is an organization that provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life. According to their website, the Wounded Warrior Project’s goals are:
- To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women,
- To help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and
- To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members.
I visited the website and was immediately drawn to the Meet the Warriors section of the site. I couldn’t stop reading their stories and was amazed by their perseverance. Each one of them had a reason to fight, a reason to live, and were prepared to die. These warriors not only had a physical loss, they lost their military careers as well. The Wounded Warrior Project is a great resource for those who are leaving the military due to an injury.
Wynonna Judd has joined Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® in its support of Wounded Warrior Project with the release of Love Heals, a collection of Wynonna’s top singles and three other tracks not available until now. On May 24, 2010, a portion of the proceeds from each Wynonna CD and Wounded Warrior Project products found in Cracker Barrel Stores will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Plus, Cracker Barrel will double the donations of products sold between May 24 and 31, 2010.
I have a Wounded Warrior gift basket donated by Cracker Barrel to giveaway. (Full disclosure- they gave me one too) Because I want to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project, I am asking you all to help spread the word. To enter to win this great gift basket, which includes a $25 Cracker Barrel Gift Card, you can leave a comment, Tweet about this giveaway, Facebook about this giveaway, or tell your friends. For each entry leave a separate comment. Giveaway ends May 24, 2010.
photo of Michael Buyas courtesy of Wounded Warrior Project.