The Wounded Warrior Project is a charitable organization that helps us all serve those who have given so much in their service to us. Founded in 2002 by John Melia in Roanoke, Virginia, the Wounded Warrior Project, according to its website, exists to “honor and empower wounded warriors who incurred service-connected injuries on or after September 11, 2011. The organization’s stated purpose is:
• To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.
• To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members

WWP states on its website that battlefield medicine and body armor has led to “an unprecedented percentage of service members” surviving severe injuries. In the first and second World Wars, for each American soldier killed, 1.7 were wounded;  now, there are seven wounded for every warrior killed. This has resulted in 42,000 American service members being injured but not killed in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

WWP helps those wounded by providing them assistance and encouragement as they learn how to operate in the world and overcome their injuries and disabilities. The organization is able to aid service members who have any type of physical or mental injury. 

In addition to delivering backpacks full of supplies and other items to the bedsides of injured soldiers, WWP has four core areas that it focuses its efforts on. One area is helping the current generation of wounded warriors overcome mental health issues. Another area provides the wounded with the physical skills and tools needed to live independently. The third area gives these veterans economic empowerment, while the fourth area is the WWP’s peer mentoring program.  

To learn about John Melia, WWP or how to donate visit: