In the US, July 4th represents a victory in a battle for independence. But July 4th is a holiday that means more than just fireworks and barbecues. DailyStrength and our partner, Challenge America, are celebrating this week by tipping our hats to all the veterans out there. Read first-hand stories from veterans and their families, including one from our own DailyStrength community member, WanderingVet. Learn about resources and retreats that cater to veterans. And most importantly, be safe and have fun!
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VETERAN STORIES
Sargeant Tara Hutchinson, Coping With Brain Injury
"It took me a long time to realize it was just bad luck. I could be mad at somebody, but why? How is that going to help me, or help anyone become a better person? That's my mission in life now, I guess, to help people." Read More...
WanderingVet, My Draft Notice During the Viet Nam War
"By the time I had been in Viet Nam a good number of months, the situation was much worse than what was on the news before I got drafted, and even worse than how the Army explained it to us when I was in basic training." Read More...
Shannon, A Military Spouse's Battle
"I was not prepared for the level, intensity and duration of his recovery process... Surgery after surgery, move after move, day after day... nothing was ever stable." Read More...
Corporal Alan R. Babin, A Wounded Soldier, A Hero
"Alan would eventually remain in ICU at Walter Reed for 7 months and to communicate with raised eyebrows and eye blinks. He became my hero, not just for his actions on the battlefield, but for the battle he fought in his hospital bed each and every day." Read More...
MORE ARTICLES
Ideas, Games, and Tips for a Fun and Safe Fourth of July!
By TeamDS
Sometimes the pursuit of happiness involves celebrating our togetherness in simple ways which can include pastimes such as crafts and games for the whole family... Read More
Free Resources and Services for Armed Forces Veterans
By TeamDS
Many veterans face significant, life-altering health issues. And navigating your way through the jumble of information and offers out there can take unnecessary time and energy away from healing. Here is a list of resources to help veterans get the help they need and deserve... Read More
FEATURED ORGANIZATION
Challenge America answers the question of “When it happens, where do we go?” for returning injured military and their families.
By working with communities across the United States to link new and existing services, and by supporting the development of recreational, occupational and housing programs, Challenge America is able to better serve those individuals in their home communities. The connection to services at the local level is made in the simplest way possible – by having the resources searchable by zip code. Through its efforts, Challenge America is working to create the model for providing services to returning military members and their families for generations to come.
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FEATURED EXPERT
Sarah Williams Volf, a native of Wales, moved to Colorado in 2001 to join Challenge Aspen, an organization providing adaptive recreation programs for individuals with disabilities. With experience working with children with disabilities in war-torn areas such as Bosnia, she currently spearheads a new division of Challenge Aspen called C.A.M.O. (Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities), focusing exclusively on providing summer and winter programs for injured military members and their families.
See the Summer 2010 C.A.M.O. calendar for a list of programs coming up: View Online | Download PDF
 What is therapeutic adaptive recreation for wounded veterans?
By Sarah Williams Volf, Challenge America
Where can wounded veterans find healing recreational retreats and programs?
By Sarah Williams Volf, Challenge America
 Rebuilding Soldiers' Bodies and Minds With A Vacation
By Sarah Williams Volf, Challenge America
RELATED SUPPORT GROUPS
RELATED DISCUSSIONS ON DAILYSTRENGTH
mommysgirl21 |  Marines/Army
Hi all, I'm new to this group, just joined..now lol. I was just wondering if anyone had any good advice about joining the marines or the army. I've always wanted to and the marines caught my attention &now I want to go for it. Posted on 07/07/09, 06:24 pm
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ChickenMan | PTSD for war vets All- anyone out there want to talk about the guilt, pain and sadness caused by thier time in the desert? my life hurts because of it. Need someone to talk with. Posted on 08/14/08, 12:06 pm |
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