This is a guest post by Marvin posted originally on his blog Brick by Brick Investing on March 13, 2013
– Moliere
As many of you know but some may not I served in the United States Army for a number of years and cannot articulate the way it changed my life and the opportunities I was afforded because of that experience. However I’m not here to talk about myself today. I want to introduce you to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Quite simply this organization aims to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.
Short Story
A buddy of mine was on patrol in Iraq when his squad was hit with an improvised explosive device (IED). The attack left my friend severely injured and resulted in him having to be medevac’d to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. This is the nearest medical center for wounded soldiers coming from the Iraq and Afghanistan theatres of operation. Upon arriving at Landstuhl and trying to grip with the reality of his injuries my friend found himself figuratively alone. Of course the doctors and staff there were very welcoming and professional but they had other patients and couldn’t focus solely on him. Additionally his family hadn’t arrived and the brothers he had come to love in his unit were still on the front lines. For those of you who are not familiar with the military, your unit is like your second family, a family away from home. He had none of his belongings, everything that he had been given was standard issue, of course this was the least of his worries but what he told me next blew me away.
A representative from WWP came to his room introduced himself and spoke to him like nobody had before. Up until then the only interaction he had was with doctors and nurses, I hate to say this because doctors and nurses are phenomenal but it’s almost as if they have no choice but to interact with you. The WWP rep was a volunteer and for some reason made it all the more meaningful. Additionally the WWP brought a gift to my buddy, a backpack filled with (as he put it) “Awesome Sh*t!”
How To Contribute
I have to be honest, I try to steer away from conversations like these, I know I shouldn’t but it’s just my natural reaction. It’s hard to hear about someone’s misfortune and intimate feelings during that time. Who knows, maybe it’s not hard for you, but it definitely is for me. With that said, my friend looked me right in the eyes and told me this was one of the most meaningful gifts he has ever received because it was at a time when he needed encouragement the most.
One of my 2013 goals was to contribute $200 to the WWP. I recently purchased one of the backpacks my friend received and plan to purchase another one as my online income keeps increasing. I can only hope that the backpack I purchased has a similar effect on a servicemember in need.
Please let me be clear, I in no way shape or form am compensated for recommending the Wounded Warrior Project. I wouldn’t even accept money from them if they did approach me for advertising. I currently don’t have any advertisements on my site, I don’t engage in spamming you with ads (nothing against those who do) and don’t plan on posting any in the near future. My main goal has been to provide you all with great content and build a community. However, this is one endeavor that I truly believe in and have seen first hand the effects it has on our servicemembers.
If you are looking for a charity to contribute to for 2013 I highly recommend the Wounded Warrior Project. You can provide comfort for an injured soldier with a donation of $1 to however charitable you would like.
— Muhammad (570 – 632 CE)
Editorial note: I re-posted this article with Marvin’s permission because I have a strong feeling to American soldiers and their bravery and dedication. While we are all sitting at home behind the computer screens they are deployed in God’s forgotten places risking their lives so we can enjoy our freedom. You will find a lot of leftists, humanists, and pacifists saying that Americans do not need to be a police force of the world, or be killing innocent children in countries on the other side of the world. No one however points out, that fanatics of those countries are using children as suicide bombers, child-soldiers or just as plain shields. But there are people out there who hope that one day somebody will come and help.
Two examples, in 1948 the communist regime took over the Czechoslovakia. There were at least 5 honorable, brave men who not only hoped that Americans would intervene and help, but they wanted to help to overthrow the communist regime. They escaped under very dramatic circumstances and joined the US army in West Germany. Out of five men, only three made it. Two were captured and executed by communists. To honor these men, let me write their names:
Josef Masin – made it lives in California
Ctirad Masin – made it, deceased, 81, in California
Milan Paumer – made it, deceased, 79, in the Czech Republic (returned to the Czech Republic in 2001)
Zbynek Janata – captured, executed by the Czech communist regime, 23,
Vaclav Sveda – captured, executed by the Czech communist regime, 34,
The above “Great Escape” happened in 1953, while the second example is from current days. I am speaking about North Korean refugees, who are escaping the North Korean concentration-camp-country. They, in many occasions, go to China, Vietnam, and South Korea where they try to contact European embassies and ask for asylum. They are sent away or deported back to North Korea where they are either executed or sent to concentration camps for the rest of their lives. These people hope that someday there will be somebody who comes and helps. If it is an American soldier, even greatest honor and respect he deserves.
Do you support our men and women and our war veterans who fought for us in all wars? If so, spread the word and make a goal to help those brave soldiers when they need us. I am going to follow Marvin’s example and set my goals to help.
The wounded warrior project is one of my favorite charities. I support them annually and encourage anyone that sympatizes with our vets that have been wounded in battle to do the same!
Jose, I wasn’t aware of them (WWP) and considered them as scam, you know, just those who take their name to use them only. thanks to Marvin I had to reconsider. And I am glad about it. I truly appreciate what the US military did thru the history (WWII for example)…
Thank you for the kind words Martin. I appreciate you spreading the word of the WWP and also for giving that brief history lesson. It is very true that most people do not empathize with those who want or need help until they are in that situation themselves.
Marvin, thanks for bringing this to my attention on your post. It touched me a lot.