Our charter is to fund projects and programs and support activities that successfully empower wounded veterans, improving their quality of life by keeping them connected to their families, friends, community and the world.
It is our intention to continue to support wounded vets by raising awareness and support through such means as technology (existing as well as innovative), events, blogs, resources, and community outreach. With the generous contributions of individual donors and in partnership with Amazon.com, in 2012 we delivered Kindle Fire devices to wounded veterans at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, San Antonio Military Medical Center and Balboa Naval Hospital. We are proud to announce a partnership with Google to provide Nexus tablet devices now as well. Our aim is connection—both human and technological—and the provision of much-needed support and resources.
Our Mission
We strive to improve the quality of life for wounded veterans by facilitating increased connection to their families, friends, community and the world.
http://www.connectedwarrior.org/feeks/4590533290
Established in honor of Navy SEAL Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Feeks who was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 16, 2012, this program provides Nexus 7 tablet devices to combat veterans with visible and invisible wounds (PTSD). Eligibility Requirements for Operation Feeks’ Fires are as follows: Honorably discharged combat veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Provision of DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) or Military Campaign medal is required. The distribution for this program is to a wider veteran audience, e.g. not limited to those who are resident military hospital inpatients.
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Launched in 2012 in honor of IED-wounded Marine Lance Corporal Mark Fidler, the focus of this program was the delivery of Kindle Fire devices to wounded veterans who met the following Eligibility Requirements criteria: Combat veterans wounded physically who were resident inpatients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas or the Naval Medical Center San Diego in California.
http://www.connectedwarrior.org/sailing-team/4590533899
We serve veterans—whether newly-injured or on the path of recovery over an extended period of time—who have suffered severe physical and/or emotional invisible wounds (PTSD) received during the course of combat on behalf of the United States of America. We provide active support to the families of those veterans as well.
Through partnerships with the National Sailing Hall of Fame, The Wounded Warrior Sailing Regatta, Chesapeake Regional Accessible Boating (C.R.A.B.), and the Naval Academy (as well as private efforts) warriors are given the opportunity to learn and participate in competitive sailboat racing several times during the year. With the ability of the C.R.A.B. boats to adapt for paraplegics and amputees, this is a program open to ALL warriors with varying degrees of injury. It provides them with the opportunities to meet new people, learn a new skill and interact with people both inside and outside the warrior world.
http://www.connectedwarrior.org/appalachian-challenge/4590533535
Twice each year, injured veterans are taken on a three-day hiking/camping trip on the Appalachian Trail. These trips are the ideal atmosphere for warriors to regain a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment and move forward in their recovery. Hiking approximately 10-15 miles per day over rocky and mountainous terrain, they are challenged both physically and mentally in a non-clinical atmosphere.
These are not formal retreats; rather, they are an opportunity to refresh and recharge in a relaxed environment mostly free from phones and the distractions of everyday life. Working as a team with little outside contact, many warriors find a new sense of confidence and a new support system with their fellow hikers - all while engaging in goal-setting activities along the way.
After our first of these outings, one of the participants was inspired to train and hiked half the Appalachian Trail this past spring, from Georgia to West Virginia, in order to bring awareness to those suffering from “invisible wounds” such as PTSD and Traumatic Brain injury, the 22 veterans a day who commit suicide ,and the mission of the Connected Warrior Foundation. He also raised money to support future hikes so that others may share in the same experiences he had.
