Coalition to Salute America's Heroes(TM) Hosts Record
Turnout of Wounded Veterans
Joel
Klobnak, wounded veteran of the War on Terror, participates in the
Adaptive Sports Clinic at the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes'
5th Annual Road to Recovery Conference & Tribute in Orlando, FL
December 7 - 11. (PRNewsFoto/Coalition to Salute America's Heroes)
ORLANDO, FL UNITED STATES
Hundreds of severely wounded veterans, family members
and caregivers shared inspirational stories, formed support networks
and received educational tools to help rebuild their lives
ORLANDO, Fla.,
Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, the
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, a not-for-profit dedicated to
helping severely wounded veterans of the War on Terror, brought more
than 150 severely wounded veterans, their families and their
caregivers to the 5th Annual Road to Recovery Conference & Tribute,
Sunday Dec. 7 through
Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Walt Disney World Swan and
Dolphin Resort in
Orlando, FL.
The all-expense-paid event featured medical and career counseling,
an adaptive sports clinic, motivational speakers, musical
entertainment, and an opportunity to share inspirational success
stories and form a lasting network of support.
"Tens of thousands of American troops have returned home from
Iraq and
Afghanistan severely wounded, struggling to heal
from physical and mental wounds, pay for medical and other bills, and
re-enter civilian life," said
Dan Vargas, director of the CSAH Family Support
Network.
Donny Daughenbaugh, CSAH National Spokesman and
Grassroots Events Director, described every Road to Recovery attendee
as a "true American hero."
"It's great to see my fellow wounded veterans and their families
come together, share experiences and learn that there is a community
of support that they can rely on to help them on their road to
recovery," he said.
Highlights of the Road to Recovery Conference included:
Adaptive Sports Clinic - The clinic, which included adaptive
skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, and mountain biking, was adapted
for use by amputees, the blind, and those with traumatic brain injury,
not only served as a form of physical, but also psychological therapy.
Career Fair - Helping attendees transition from a military
to a civilian lifestyle, the conference featured a job fair, resume
writing and interviewing skills classes, and an employment panel,
which led to successful job placements for veterans.
Entertainment -
Gary Sinise and the Lt.
Dan Band, the Vandel-Snook Band, and artist
Dan Dunn wowed the crowd, while up-and-coming country
music star, wounded veteran and conference attendee
Stephen Cochran surprised his fellow veterans and
their families with a performance at the closing ceremony. Veterans
were also given tickets to
Walt Disney World, where they were able to share much
needed quality time with their families.
Counseling Sessions - CSAH and a team of counselors from the
Department of Veterans Affairs provided counseling sessions for the
veterans, their spouses, caregivers and children to enable interactive
conversation and facilitate the creation of a lasting support network
to aid in the recovery process.
"There's nothing the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes won't do
for a disabled vet," said Ssgt.
Matthew Keil, a disabled Army veteran who attended
the conference with his wife Tracy. "This is the only place where we
have been able to meet others who understand what we're going through
and find the right kind of support that we need. I'm with 150 families
here that understand me and get it."
About the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3),
non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the
severely wounded troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their
families rebuild their lives. Since its 2004 inception, CSAH has
provided more than $22 million in emergency aid, assisting severely
wounded troops and their families nearly 13,000 times.
For more information on how the CSAH can help you or to learn how
you can help, please visit the Web site at
www.saluteheroes.org.