BWF in the News

Brevard man aims for chance to represent Army in competition (Florida Today.com)

Remind.org — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:54:58 -0500

Staff Sgt. Rocco Pepe suffered a traumatic brain injury from two roadside bomb blasts in Iraq. He also recently had back surgery for injuries suffered while in the service.

But the 2000 graduate of Eau Gallie High has been able to continue with his love of marksmanship and is gunning for a chance to represent the Army in the 2012 Warrior Games.

“I’m really confident that I will be part of the (shooting) team,” Pepe said. “We have two more clinics to go.”

Pepe was among 30 ill or injured soldiers who demonstrated their marksmanship last weekend in El Paso, Texas. Based on his skill there, Pepe has been invited to the second competition in February. A total of 75 wounded soldiers are vying for 10 or 15 spots and will get at least one chance to try out.

“The coaches are looking for some aptitude but also looking for improvement,” said Sgt. Maj. Troy Falardeau, one of the volunteers working with the team. “We wanted all 75 soldiers to come to all three (events), but logistically it couldn’t happen.”

Teams are being put together for seven sports: archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field and wheelchair basketball.

Falardeau said some are signing up to try out for as many as five different sports. Pepe said he applied to try out for swimming, in addition to shooting, but does not know if his recovery from the back surgery will allow that. Click to view more

Powell soldier aims for Warrior Games marksmanship team slot (Powell Tribune)

Remind.org — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:41:43 -0500

A Powell native was one of 30 soldiers demonstrating their marksmanship skills last weekend in preparation for the 2012 Warrior Games this spring.

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Bessler, a 1991 graduate of Powell High School, demonstrated his skills at the University of Texas-El Paso, hoping to earn a spot on the Army shooting team for the games, an Olympic-style event for members of the military who are wounded, injured or ill.

The games, which feature competition among teams representing the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Special Operations, “serve as an introduction to paralympic sports for injured service members by inspiring recovery, physical fitness and promoting new opportunities for growth and achievement,” according to a news release from the Army.

More than 200 members of the military are expected to compete in the games.

Bessler, who currently is assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson, Colo., said he hasn’t officially been named to the Army team yet, “but it looks good.”

Bessler is a 20-year veteran of the Army and has been deployed nine times, spending time in Somalia, Haiti and Panama as well as in Iraq. He has been deployed six times in Iraq, where he suffered a traumatic brain injury from an improvised explosive device. As a 20-year veteran, he is eligible to retire, and is “in the middle of the process” of leaving the service.

“I’m coming to the point of where I’m reaching my term of 20 years and going forward with my life,” Bessler said. “It’s like I’m going from one extreme to another.” Click to read on

Warrior Games Competition Plans Return to Colorado Springs (American Forces Press Service)

Remind.org — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:56:51 -0500

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec. 9, 2011 – The annual Warrior Games, featuring wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans competing in several sporting events, will return here in 2012, U.S. Olympic Committee officials announced Dec. 6.

The USOC-hosted games will take place April 30 to May 5. The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments, the USO, the Fisher House Foundation, the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Deloitte also support the event.

"We are excited to welcome our service members and veterans back to Colorado Springs for the third annual competition," said Scott Blackmun, USOC’s chief executive officer. "These games truly exemplify the fighting spirit within each and every one of these athletes, all who have sacrificed for our great country." Click here to view more

Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, Others Help Raise $400K For Bob Woodruff Foundation At Veteran Benefit (The Huffington Post)

Remind.org — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:35:56 -0500

Bruce Springsteen auctioned the shirt -- and the guitar -- off his back on Wednesday night to raise $160,000 for injured veterans.

Springsteen, along with Jon Stewart, Ricky Gervais and other big names, performed at the fifth annual Stand Up For Heroes event at New York City's Beacon Theater to raise funds for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Rolling Stone reports. Between the ticket sales and the Boss' personal auction, the charity raked in $400,000.

The audience member who nabbed the singer's guitar kept in the spirit of the evening when he gave the instrument over to another guest, Marine Corps First Lt. Andrew Kinard, Showbiz411.com reports.

While Kinard walked away with the coveted guitar, the Bob Woodruff Foundation got a boost to support the programs it offers. The organization aims to educate the public about wounded veterans' needs and provide those services to injured servicemen and servicewomen.

"We invest in national and community-based programs that connect our troops to the help they need — from individual needs like physical accommodations, medical care and counseling, to larger social issues like substance abuse and homelessness,” the organization states on its website. Click here to view full article.

Leading Financial Services Firms Mark Veterans Day with Presentation of Nearly $600,000 to Various Veterans’ Service Organizations (Business Wire)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:30:21 -0500

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Five of the world’s largest financial institutions today presented checks totaling nearly $600,000 to a collection of nonprofit organizations that serve veterans and military families around the United States. The banks together comprise the founding members of Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS), a joint initiative dedicated to honoring former military personnel and employees currently in the National Guard and Reserve by facilitating career and business opportunities in the financial services industry.

The consortium of banks, including Bank of America, Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs, gathered at a reception during Citi’s Military Appreciation Day at Citi Pond at Bryant Park following the New York City Veterans Day Parade. Representatives from the partner banks presented checks to American Corporate Partners, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Gift of Laughter, Wall Street Warfighters, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Jericho Project.

In addition to the ceremony in New York, earlier this week, representatives of Bank of America, Citi, and Deutsche Bank together presented a check to the Wounded Warrior Project at an event in Jacksonville, Florida. Other organizations receiving funds include the National Chamber Foundation’s “Hiring Our Heroes” program, the Intrepid Museum Foundation, the Intrepid Relief Fund (Operation Mend), and Reserve Aid.

Earlier this year, VOWS held its first annual conference, bringing together the very best of Wall Street to support and honor service members in the United States Armed Forces. The focus of the conference, held on June 23 at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City, was to raise awareness of the value of veterans in the workforce, elevate the overall profile of veterans working on Wall Street, and highlight the financial services industry as a veteran-friendly employer. As part of the VOWS conference, a hiring fair was held on Pier 86 alongside the Intrepid as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's “Hiring our Heroes” initiative, a nationwide public-private partnership to help veterans and their spouses find employment in their local communities. VOWS also hosted a star-studded gala fundraising event, the proceeds of which were presented this afternoon. Click here to view more.

Finding a New Mission for Soldiers Returning From War (The Wall Street Journal)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:53:16 -0500

Even though a war technically ends, the work of caring for soldiers never really stops. Helping soldiers to readjust and thrive physically, psychologically and socially is the singular mission of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

"I think we all know that the consequences of the wars will continue for the rest of our lives," says Mr. Woodruff, the ABC News anchor who suffered his own critical injury in 2006 while covering the war in Iraq. Together, Mr. Woodruff and his wife, Lee, launched the foundation to support returning soldiers, educate the public about the needs of veterans and raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries. More recently, the organization has expanded its support to caregivers and families of soldiers.

"Families need to heal together," says Ms. Woodruff.

Since 2007, the foundation has awarded 117 grants totaling $9.5 million.

Grants were made to more than 50 charities across the country and included scholarships for wounded veterans to attend a writing program at the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped, funds to furnish the apartments of homeless veterans living at the Errera Community Care Center in West Haven, Conn., and grants for veterans to receive animal-assisted therapy at the EquiCenter in Rochester, N.Y.

In rare cases, the foundation will step in for a special project only when every other government resource has been exhausted. Word came to the Woodruffs that the mother of a severely injured veteran had to leave her job to regularly drive her son three hours to get to a Veterans Affairs hospital for rehabilitation. The foundation stepped in and funded a small, therapeutic "endless pool" for the family so the soldier could receive therapy at home.

"You've got to do something for the caregivers. We sometimes forget about this," says Mr. Woodruff. "It's one thing to be injured in the war, imagine being a family member who now has to deal with this. I don't think there's enough done for them."

In his years meeting and talking with veterans, Mr. Woodruff says the No. 1 need is employment for veterans or, as he puts it, "another mission." To that end, the foundation has supported a project in California that helps veterans launch a career in farming. Second: helping soldiers to feel less alone and more connected to their community.

The foundation's annual comedy and entertainment event, "Stand Up for Heroes," to be held Wednesday night at the Beacon Theatre, is one such way that the foundation has connected veterans and given families an opportunity to just relax. Some 60 veterans and guests are flown to New York and put up in hotels for the gala and three days of fun.Click here to view more.

WILDOMAR: Ex-Marine aims to help veterans (The Press Enterprise)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:50:25 -0500

John Stephens and his wife, Nikki, are spending this week in New York City, where they will attend a concert Wednesday night starring Bruce Springsteen and then appear Thursday on “Good Morning America.”

For many, it sounds like a trip of a lifetime. For John Stephens, it’s bittersweet. He’d rather stay home in Wildomar, living a normal life with Nikki and their three children.

But life is anything but normal for the ex-Marine since his tour in Iraq in 2004. One night, while serving as a maintenance management specialist, Stephens and his unit were attacked. A mortar landed about 100 feet behind him, shaking his body. He survived and completed his four-year Marine commitment in 2006.

He was working two days after returning home, but something was wrong. His vision became extremely sensitive to light, and he couldn’t read for more than 15 minutes at a time without getting a migraine headache. He would fall asleep in the middle of the day, and he forgot names.

“There was something different when I got back,” John Stephens, 30, said.

It wouldn’t be until three years later, in July 2009, when he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He was not alone. More than 300,000 service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 have sustained traumatic brain injuries, according to estimates.

The disorder has been called “the invisible injury of the war” by Bob Woodruff, who had been named anchor of the ABC Evening News in 2006, just weeks before he was seriously injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq while covering the war. He recovered and has returned to reporting for ABC.

During his recovery, Woodruff and his family formed a foundation and a public education movement called ReMIND.org to help injured service members and their families deal with their physical and psychological wounds of war. One way of raising money is through the annual Stand Up for Heroes benefit concert that Stephens and his wife will attend tonight.Click here to view more.

Bob Woodruff charity benefit opens N.Y. Comedy Festival (am NEW YORK)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:46:00 -0500

As it has for the last five years, the New York Comedy Festival begins with a star-studded benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation called "Stand Up for Heroes." The show, which features Ricky Gervais, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart and Bruce Springsteen, raises money to help injured veterans.

amNewYork spoke with Woodruff and festival co-producer Andrew Fox.

How did "Stand Up for Heroes" start?

AF: [Co-producer] Caroline Hirsch and I were watching a documentary about Bob and were moved by his story. [Woodruff was seriously injured by an explosive device while reporting from Iraq for ABC News.] We approached him and his wife with an idea to bring more awareness to injured servicemen and women.Click here to view more.

Gotham's first lady of funny (Variety)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:41:28 -0500

Thirty years ago a new cabaret act opened on Eighth Avenue in Chelsea. New York didn't really notice. Just another cabaret, after all. The couple starting the club, Carl Christian and Bob Stickney, had approached a friend, Caroline Hirsch, to both invest and to give the place a woman's name. After muddling through for a year or so, Hirsch decided her namesake should become a full-time comedy club.

"Cabaret didn't move me," she says. "It was fun, it wasn't tapping a pop culture nerve."

The city had a few notable stand-up clubs -- the Improv and Catch a Rising Star among them -- but Hirsch established a template that made Caroline's a household name in comedy.

Instead of showcasing up-and-coming comics running through short sets, Hirsch created a headliner room, with long sets for talent that was breaking through on television. "I was flying by the seat of my pants," admits Hirsch, who had no show business experience on stage or off.

She came from retail, having worked at the department store Gimbels. "Being a buyer meant giving a customer what they want," she says, but the Brooklyn native also knew from her childhood spent watching "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" that acts who performed on television provided free publicity.

"I remember Johnny Carson saying David Steinberg would be performing at Mr. Kelly's in Chicago," she says. "When I got Jay Leno as my first act, he was coming in to be on David Letterman and I got him to mention the club."

Caroline's would soon tout a who's who of rising comedians, from Pee-wee Herman to Jerry Seinfeld to Richard Lewis. In 1987, Hirsch moved to a bigger home at the South Street Seaport. That was just a first step.

Within two years, Hirsch's club had a weekly television series called "Caroline's Comedy Hour" on A&E -- the writing staff featured young bucks like Jon Stewart and Louis C.K. The show, which won a CableAce Award, brought even bigger crowds to the club. "Nobody talked about brands then but that show was very important for us," Hirsch says.

It also underscores why this particular club survived an explosion in competition, recessions and new trends in comedy. Hirsch has more than just an eye for funny folks, she has a shrewd business sense, be it for real estate, interior design or staff.

"I'm a person of instinct, that's what I have, and I trust my gut," she says.

By 1989, Hirsch was tired of being next door to the Fulton Fish Market. Ian Schraeger invited her to take over the famous Billy Rose Diamond Horseshoe space in the basement of the Paramount Hotel, which he was making over.

The room needed too much renovation but it started her thinking about Times Square; while New York was at its nadir and the neighborhood was still seedy, the New 42nd Street non-profit formed in 1990 and Hirsch, trusting her vision about the city, saw an area on the make.

In 1992, Caroline's moved to Broadway and 49th Street, in a new office building that replaced an old theater and needed an entertainment component. It wasn't just location, location, location. Hirsch created an upscale, elegant ambience -- in food, space and design -- that stood in stark contrast to the cramped, red brick wall comedy clubs cropping up everywhere. Click here to view more.

Bruce Springsteen's guitar auctioned off for $160,000 at Stand Up For Heroes benefit (NJ.com)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:33:59 -0500

Bruce Springsteen played four songs at Wednesday night's Stand Up for Heroes benefit at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, but the big news of the evening was Bruce's guitar being auctioned off for a whopping $160,000 at the end of the show to benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Photo by Stan GoldsteinBruce Springsteen performed at the Stand Up For Heroes benefit on Wednesday night at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Bruce took the stage at 10:10 p.m. after being introduced by Jon Stewart as "If James Brown and Bob Dylan had a baby."

Bruce began by telling a joke since the show was a New York Comedy Festival event. He messed up the semi-dirty joke and then did what he does best, perform.

Backed by the evening's house band, The Max Weinberg Big Band, Springsteen opened with the Seeger Sessions arrangement of "Open All Night" with Joe Delia on piano.

This was a rousing version backed by the 12-piece horn section. This song had Springsteen fans up and dancing during the Seeger Sessions Tour in 2006 but the crowd at the Beacon was not the usual Springsteen show crowd and very few people were up and dancing.

Bruce then told another dirty joke about a golfer which I can't repeat here. It was pretty funny.

Up next was a great version of "Spirit In the Night" which featured saxophonist Mindi Abair of the latest version of the Max Weinberg 7.

Bruce jumped up on the speakers and then went into the crowd two different times, going back about 10 rows.

Bruce dedicated his third song "to all the men and women in uniform here tonight." Click here to view more.

Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, Others Help Raise $400K For Bob Woodruff Foundation At Veteran Benefit (The Huffington Post)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:29:18 -0500

Bruce Springsteen auctioned the shirt -- and the guitar -- off his back on Wednesday night to raise $160,000 for injured veterans.

The audience member who nabbed the singer's guitar kept in the spirit of the evening when he gave the instrument over to another guest, Marine Corps First Lt. Andrew Kinard, Showbiz411.com reports.

Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart Highlight Stand Up for Heroes Benefit (Rolling Stone)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:25:10 -0500

They got the big surprise guest out of the way early at last night's Stand Up for Heroes, the fifth annual benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation and ReMIND.org. "I don't know what to say – I'm the opening act for a comedy show," joked President Bill Clinton.

The red carpet gala at the Beacon Theatre, part of the New York Comedy Festival's opening night, featured returning regulars Bruce Springsteen and Jon Sewart, as well as comedians Ricky Gervais and Jim Gaffigan and the Max Weinberg Big Band. Woodruff, the ABC newsman who suffered a serious head wound in Iraq, now raises big money for more than 40 veterans' organizations collected under the umbrella of his foundation. In addition to ticket sales, audience members last night pledged nearly $400,000, and one patron bought Springsteen's acoustic guitar, his shirt, his harmonica and harmonica rack – and a year's worth of maintenance on the rack, joked newsman Brian Williams – for $160,000.

The highlight of Stand Up for Heroes each year is Springsteen's mini-set, which in this case came on the heels of the superstar's marathon performance in Pittsburgh with old pal Joe Grushecky and his band. Last night Springsteen opened with an effusive barrelhouse version of "Open All Night," the most upbeat tune from his dark 1982 landmark Nebraska. After telling his second dirty joke of the night (it involved golf, buttercups and pussy willows), the feisty 62-year-old pushed Weinberg's house band into a joyous take on "Spirit in the Night," climbing over the audience and dancing in the aisle with one very demonstrative female admirer. "Security!" he hollered, grinning widely.

Before auctioning off his stuff, Springsteen finished with a spare version of "Land of Hope and Dreams." The gravity of the night's cause and the presence of uniformed vets in the front rows didn't keep the comics from transgressing for laughs. ("Sometimes it's the only cure for what ails you," as Clinton said.) Gervais joked about other charitable issues he's donated his time to and dissected criticism over his Golden Globes joke, in which he thanked God for making him an atheist. When Stewart mined the sexual harrassment charges against Herman Cain for easy material, he argued that the controversy couldn't have been generated by Democrats – Democrats don't think that kind of behavior excludes you from running for office, he joked.

When some in the audience groaned, wondering whether the joke was out of bounds given Clinton's presence, Stewart was ready for them. Don't worry, he told the audience in a comical stage whisper: "He left."

Stewart, a devout Springsteen fan, was clearly delighted to introduce the illegitimate lovechild of James Brown and Bob Dylan, as the comedian put it. But first he teased the crowd about the identity of the show's not-so-surprise headliner. Click here to view more.

Springsteen Gives Crowd a Charge (The Wall Street Journal)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:22:01 -0500

Backstage at the Beacon Theater on Wednesday, Jon Stewart ran into Bill Clinton, after the television host and former president spoke at the "Stand Up For Heroes" event that evening. "I had to muscle through his guys," Mr. Stewart explained. "I got more of a hip-check than a handshake, but any contact is contact as far as I'm concerned."

The comedy and music show, benefiting the Bob Woodruff Foundation, kicked off the New York Comedy Festival, helmed by Caroline Hirsch. Mr. Woodruff's nonprofit helps injured service members, veterans and their families, and many members of the military had front-row seats to the event. Even Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, showed up.

"You can find something to laugh about everywhere," Mr. Clinton said in his remarks. "We learned in the last few months, because of the Human Genome Project—which I spent a lot of your tax money to finish—that unless you're descendent from sub-Saharan Africa, between one and four percent of your genome comes from the Neanderthals. Now it didn't surprise my wife and daughter to learn that I was part Neanderthal! But they were stunned to learn that they were." . Later in the evening, British comedian Ricky Gervais performed live for the first time since the Golden Globes. "I'm rusty," he said afterward, glancing at his hand, where he'd written down some topics to hit on. Still, he was thinking about hosting the Oscars if asked. "I know NBC wants me to host," he said. "But I'd be fired midway through."

The highlight at Wednesday's show, hands-down, was Mr. Springsteen's high-energy rendition of "Open All Night." Mid-song, the musician ran into the crowd to dance with audience members, and attendees hopped out of their seats to get closer to the action. Beacon Theater security guards briefly assumed looks of concern. Afterward, Mr. Springsteen's guitar was auctioned off for $160,000 and was given to a veteran. Click here to view more.

'Stand Up for Heroes' Benefit Kicks Off Eighth Year of the New York Comedy Festival (The Village Voice)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:18:41 -0500

The New York Comedy Festival has arrived. The festival turns eight this year, and will hopefully celebrate with humor children of that age can't understand. While always a showcase for chuckles, the first day of the festival has a higher purpose: supporting injured soldiers through the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

The event, Stand Up for Heroes, kicks off the comedy festival at the Beacon Theater tonight. The show, which will feature performances by Ricky Gervais, Jon Stewart, and The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen (who does it every year), benefits injured veterans.

Stand Up for Heroes has raised more than 10 million dollars for wounded soldiers since it started, and comedians like Robin Williams, Joel McHale, and Brian Williams have all made appearances. Caroline Hirsh, owner of Caroline's on Broadway and the founder of the New York Comedy Festival, said, "We're so lucky that we have so much talent that comes out for this event."

The party is the brainchild of Hirsh and Bob and Lee Woodruff, of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Said Caroline, "I got together with Bob Woodruff because I saw the documentary on his struggle with injury on ABC. I always felt so horrible for those men who came home hurt and with brain injuries. I wanted to do something for them, and then I ended up meeting Lee Woodruff and it turned out that he wanted to do a fundraiser as well. We met in April and had the first event planned by November, and the first year we raised over three million dollars."

Caroline has even higher hopes for this year. "It's a great event," she says. "It's such a high when we're there. Ricky Gervais and Jon Stewart will be there, and they're both so funny... Jon Stewart is quiet about what he does, but he's very supportive of the troops." Click here to view more.

Wounded Veterans, Caregivers, Honored at Annual ‘Stand Up for Heroes’ Event (ABC News)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:14:11 -0500

ABC News’ Felicia Patinkin and Suzan Clarke report:

Stand Up for Heroes, the annual fundraiser that honors wounded veterans and their caregivers, rolled out the red carpet in New York this week for several special people.

Among them were Carla Martin and Bernadette Blackwell. Blackwell, a Navy lieutenant, was injured in 2007.

“Normal chores are a hassle. It becomes very difficult to function on a daily basis,” Blackwell said.

That’s where Martin comes in, caring for her sister, who sometimes just struggles to remember the way home.

“If she needs me to remember for her, then that’s what I am here for,” she said.

Today is Veterans Day. Find out how you can help veterans and military families.

The Nov. 9 event at the Beacon Theater recognized 140 veterans and their families, giving them the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the best in the entertainment business, including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart and Ricky Gervais.

But the veterans and their caregivers were the stars of the event.

They got more than $25,000 in clothes and accessories, donated by Sears, and makeup artists from Dior and L’Oreal donated their time, at an estimated $40,000.

The event is presented by the New York Comedy Festival and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

More than 1,680 military members have died in Afghanistan since the U.S. began bombing there in October 2001, while more than 4,470 military members have died in Iraq since the war began there in March 2003, according to the Associated Press. Another 46,000 have been wounded in both campaigns.

Hundreds of thousands of others suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. They have to rely on a broad network of caregivers: spouses, parents and siblings. Statistics show that those caregivers often suffer increased stress and financial hardship.

Nick Santoro joined the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, and was wounded in Iraq in 2006 when the Humvee in which he was riding ran over an improvised explosive device. It was Santoro’s third tour of duty there. Click here to view more.

ABC News to Report “Standing Up for Heroes” Beginning on Veterans Day (ABC News)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:06:58 -0500

ABC News Launches Ongoing Series of Reports to Air Across Broadcasts and Platforms Beginning on Veterans Day

ABC News is launching an ongoing series of reports “Standing Up for Heroes“ on Friday, November 11. Through this ongoing series of reports Bob Woodruff and Martha Raddatz will shine a light on critical issues facing veterans and their families while showcasing the ways Americans can come together to help those who have served and sacrificed.

The statistics are startling – more than 2.3 million U.S. service members have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since 9/11 and the unemployment rate for the veterans returning home is 25% higher than the national average. With less than 1% of Americans serving in the armed forces it is the responsibility of the other 99% to support the brave men and women as they return home – helping them reintegrate back into their communities where they can thrive mentally, physically, and economically.

Reports will air throughout the day on Veterans Day, November 11 and will continue across all broadcasts and platforms including “Good Morning America,” “World News with Diane Sawyer,” and “Nightline” as well as on ABCNEWS.com and ABC News Radio. Viewers who are interested in getting involved in helping veterans in their local communities can visit ABCNews.com/help.Click here to view more and view the accompanying video.

Standing Up for Heroes: How to Help Veterans and Military Families (ABC News)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:59:58 -0500

On this Veteran's Day, get involved and Stand Up for Veterans. Watch this clip and take action

Before 'Stand Up for Heroes' Gala, Little Star Treatment for 50 Caregivers (ABC News)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:49:55 -0500

Check out some great pics from the incredible styling event here.

Community Service: Lending a Beautifying Hand to Caretakers of Wounded Soldiers (TIME)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:41:43 -0500

When soldiers are injured in combat, the healing doesn't stop in the hospital. After they return home, the reality sets in. Whether they suffer physical injuries or the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their caretakers and loved ones share their struggle.

Bob Woodruff's wife Lee knows understands this all too well. Less than a month after he was named anchor of ABC World News in January 2006, her husband was critically wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq. During the recovery process, the Woodruffs formed the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which has hosted the Stand Up for Heroes benefit in New York for the past five years to honor injured service members.

The annual event features performances by musicians and comedians, but this year's run offered something extra for the attending veterans' caretakers. On November 8 and 9, fashion consultant and commentator Mary Alice Stephenson teamed up with the foundation to provide full makeovers and styling for 50 women, who were also outfitted in clothing donated by Sears.

Stephenson has attended the benefit every year, but decided to amp up the celebration after last year's benefit, when she spent time extended time with some veterans and their families.

“This is about having fun and taking that worry off of them that there's a red carpet,” Stephenson said. “It's a world-renowned event—Bruce Springsteen's singing, Jon Stewart's performing—and now they don't have to worry about how they look.”

Woodruff's wife Lee added, “We weren't sure how it was going to work or if they were going to respond to it, because these are women stepping out that don't always feel so beautiful. No one is taking care of them.”

The organization sent out 50 invitations to vets who had been selected to participate in the makeover event. Unsurprisingly, all responded “yes.”

Stephenson and her assembled team of 25 stylists, makeup artists, assistants and design team members from Sears to give the servicewomen their special treatment. Each woman—48 caretakers and two servicewomen—met with a personal stylist, picked an outfit and accouterments on the first day and received a full makeover courtesy of L'Oreal and Dior on the second day.

Nikki Stephens, one of the primped-and-pampered women, grinned as she exited the conference room-cum-fashion studio in the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, clutching a long, black garment bag.

Stephens' husband John was in Fallujah in 2004 when a chunk of mortar fell behind him. The Marine Corps immediately diagnosed him with PTSD, but his traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subsequent vision impairment went unnoticed for five years. Nikki cares for her husband and tries to lead a normal life while raising the couple's three young children, who do not always understand the side effects of PTSD.

“It's very hard to be around someone who can't remember things, or has mood swings, or can become extremely depressed or angry,” she said. “I have to explain some of these behaviors to the kids when they witness it.”

Stephens' emotional support is common among caretakers. Click here to view more

Military Caregivers and Wounded Female Soldiers Get Celebrity Makeovers Ahead of Veterans Day (Fox News)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:37:00 -0500

Celebrity stylist Mary Alice Stephenson gave a group of wounded female veterans and veteran caregivers a red carpet makeover this week as part of a salute to those who take care of America’s service men and women.

“It’s been such an honor for all of us, I have brought together a world-renowned styling team, all my friends and favorite people in fashion to come surround these women with love,” Mary Alice Stephenson told FOX411.com.

Stephenson teamed up with the Bob Woodruff foundation to provide the women with a makeover for the red carpet at the Stand Up for Heroes event at the Beacon Theater in New York City. The event featured performances by Bruce Springsteen, Ricky Gervais and Jon Stewart.

FOX411 followed Cindy Parsons, who is the spokeswoman for “Warriors Speak” with the Wounded Warrior Project and is also the mother of a wounded veteran ,as she was pampered by the team. Parsons, who helped rehabilitate her son after he sustained a traumatic brain injury and a bilateral amputation, was one of the fifty women who were treated to celebrity-worthy makeovers.

“I was invited along with my son who is a Wounded Warrior,” Parsons told FOX411. “He was nominated to do the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Stand Up for Heroes and I was asked to do a total makeover and I was totally overwhelmed.”

Stylists picked out a glitzy dress for Parsons from the clothing all donated by Sears and K-Mart, and was also treated to full hair and makeup from the Christian Dior and L’Oreal team.

“Cindy is a star, she is a hero; we are honored to work with her,” Stephenson said. “ All of the sacrifices that she has made, that her son has made fighting for our country, we’re just honored.” Check out the video by clicking this link.

The Boss sells shirt & guitar at the Beacon (Variety)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:26:54 -0500

Bill Clinton was a suprise show at the Stand Up for Heroes benefit Nov. 9 at the Beacon Theater. The former president mused about being "the opening act of a comedy show. Some people think that being a politician makes you a comedy show." The event, organized by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, supports veterans, and brought out Ricky Gervais, Jim Gaffigan and Jon Stewart, who was careful to hit both Dems and Republicans but scored his biggest laugh with a line on child-rearing: "I'm Jewish. My wife's Catholic. We're raising our kids to be sad."

Bruce Springsteen performed a four-song set. Curiously, while the theater doors had to be closed earlier to prevent the national anthem from being drowned out by racket at the Beacon's multiple bars, everyone was silent and respectful for the Boss, age 62.

For the live auction of Springsteen's guitar, harmonica, harmonica rack and shirt, he was joined by Brian Williams and Seth Meyers, who joked that they were "also here to raise a couple of bucks for NBC." Click here to view more

New York Comedy Festival 2011 (About.com)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:56:48 -0500

Take your pick of great comedy shows from November 9-13, 2011 as The New York Comedy Festival kicks into high gear with top comedians performing at venues around the city.

This year's line-up is bigger than ever, with many shows to choose from every night -- including big comedy names and up-and-coming talents. In addition to the stand-up shows, Jon Stewart will once again host a special charity event, Stand Up for Heroes: Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Fund, featuring performances by Jim Gaffigan, Ricky Gervais, and Bruce Springsteen. Click here to view more

Political chuckles at the NYC comedy fest (Politico)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:53:00 -0500

With the election season upon us, it’s no surprise that politics made for an easy punchline at last week’s New York Comedy Festival.

Here are three of the better political jokes told at the event, as provided by the festival’s organizers:

Jon Stewart (at the Festival’s “Stand Up For Heroes” event): “Herman Cain is saying, ‘The Democratic machine is setting me up.’ There’s no way the Democrats are setting him up on sexual charges … everyone knows the Democrats don’t think sexual misconduct is grounds for excluding you from running for office.” When the crowd began to whisper at the joke thanks to President Bill Clinton’s earlier presence in the room, Stewart reassured the crowd. “Don’t worry he left.” Click here to view more

Backstage comedy (New York Post)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:39:14 -0500

You know last week’s New York Comedy Festival kicked off at the Beacon. You don’t know what went on backstage. Me, I know because I was smashed against a stage-right wall. In the wings. In a jammed crammed windowless airless space smaller than a kindergarten kid’s bedroom.

In it perspiring, chatting, drinking, posing, rehearsing, greeting pals were stars whose walk-in closets were larger. Over there, Springsteen with his posse. Over here Bob Woodruff, whose Stand Up for Heroes event opens the week. Someone whispered, “Diane Sawyer, Christiane Amanpour in black leather and Kathy Griffin arrived,” as Secret Service orangutans muscled bodies aside to clear a path for Bill Clinton.

Among NYC monuments like Lincoln Center, Empire State, UN, Statue of Liberty, Bronx Zoo, Natural History Museum, Diamond Center, Radio City, St. Pat’s, a petite size 8 on Bergdorf black suede spikes braided up to her pituitary gland -- Caroline Hirsch. Responsible for it all. “Thirty years ago I opened Carolines Comedy Club. On spit. I had nothing. No money. Tonight we’ll make $3 million,” she said. “Who knew all this would happen?”

Across a TV camera that nearly cracked my scalp, her life partner and producer, Andrew Fox, barked: “I need Ricky Gervais miked.”

Downstairs trudged Ricky, sipping a glass of beer. (“Dressing room’s five flights up.”) He and Jane, his live-in, wore His ’n’ Hers blue jeans and black jackets. About the Oscars: “I wouldn’t do that job. Isn’t my gig. But I’d do the Golden Globes again. That was fun. Only I wouldn’t change my style. I’d do same kind of thing I did before. Not that they asked me -- they haven’t.”

Seth Meyers with Alexi Ashe. A beauty. “My first shot doing this. On ‘SNL,’ we work 80 hours a week.” So where’s time for Alexi? “I’m a Sunday boyfriend.”

A voice said: “Rogers Waters is here.” I said, “Who?” Caroline Hirsch said:

“He’s Pink Floyd.” Said another voice: “Cindy’s big with Pink Floyd, right?”

Jon Stewart heckled with: “Pal, I’ll tell the jokes!”

Bill Clinton. Pleasant, patient, unruffled, posed with Caroline Hirsch, Bob Woodruff, stood for photos, honored the backstage vets with “Thank you, gentlemen, for your services.” So how long did it take to write his latest book?

“Four months. But not on my computer. Longhand. Writing that way takes longer, so you have to think more slowly, which helps the thought process. An assistant then types the page, which I rewrite and refine.

“But the book’s 30 years in preparing. I have notes going back that far. I keep piling them up. I kept them thinking someday I’d maybe write this. See, I’ve always followed world economy. I check data monthly. I knew these notes would be valuable some day as a history,” he said as we scrunched into an inch of corner.

“I’ve studied the last 500 year years economically. I know that to get over our economic problem will take 3 to 5 years.”

In barreled Jim Gaffigan. Andrew Fox introduced him to Ricky, whom he’d never met. Wearing sneakers, Gaffigan said: “They have laces. Laces are fascists.” Ricky broke up. Me, I didn’t understand what the hell was funny.

At the end Caroline Hirsch said: “Tomorrow we start planning for next year.” Click here to view more

Bruce Springsteen Stands Up for Heroes (The Huffington Post: Comedy)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:36:07 -0500

In its 5th year, The Bob Woodruff Foundation and The New York Comedy Festival's night of Stand Up for Heroes, featured a number of comedy's best voices, Ricky Gervais, Jim Gaffigan, Seth Meyers and Jon Stewart among them, but this annual laugh fest to benefit something very serious also had a few personalities less known for making people laugh. Bill Clinton thought it odd he'd open at a comedy night and had a great moment reminding the packed Beacon Theater that through genome research he's learned that he, Hillary and Chelsea are all descended from Neanderthals. Even Bruce Springsteen got into the comedy: showing off New Jersey moxie and menschlechkeit, he graces this stage every year, rocking out and auctioning off a guitar or two.

Professional routines notwithstanding, the Boss got the biggest laugh cavorting about as he sang backed by the Max Weinberg Big Band, landing in the audience's lap -- literally -- and hand delivering his electric guitar, harmonica with stand, and his plaid shirt to the highest bidder ($160,000). But not before he told a joke, mangling it: something about a man showing another's severed penis to his wife, and her saying, "oh, Smith is dead."

Such was the good will in the room where Katie Couric, Glenn Close, Nancy Jarecki, and Greg Kinnear, mingled with the armed guard and heroes of our occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan, some in wheelchairs. Many are aided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation through its funding of other organizations dedicated to helping servicemen and their families.Click here to read more

Brian Williams and Seth Meyers' news teamwork brings double the fun (New York Daily News)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:01:02 -0500

It may be autumn in New York, but the bromance between Brian Williams and Seth Meyers is in full bloom.

The NBC Nightly News anchor and the “Saturday Night Live” head writer worked the city’s social beat like a veteran comedy team last week, appearing together at Time magazine’s Person of the Year luncheon and ABC newsman Bob Woodruff ’s Stand Up for Heroes benefit.

Meyers also makes a cameo appearance in the latest promotional spot for Williams’ prime-time show, “Rock Center.”

We think we understand the attraction: Williams is a newsman who does comedy. Meyers is a comic who does news — and both men have seriously telegenic jaw lines.

As you might expect from a journalist, Williams, 52, characterized the bromance in a more complex light. On Thursday, he told us through his spokeswoman: “While it’s true that we have been together at at least one event for the past three days, Seth’s girlfriend and my wife of 25 years are aware of this.”

The anchorman added, “Seth and I have an open relationship and I think I offer him a certain kind of legitimacy in the nonfiction journalism community.”

Meyers, 37, released a more succinct statement through his spokeswoman: rep: “I have never heard of Brian Williams.”

Actually, we hear the men may have bonded as far back as 2007, when Williams hosted “Saturday Night Live.”

It was during that same season that Meyers became head writer for “SNL” and began co-anchoring its “Weekend Update” news parody with Amy Poehler . He went solo in 2008.

Williams pokes fun at Meyers’ “Weekend Update” gig in his “Rock Center” promo. In the spot, he’s riding in an elevator with correspondent Natalie Morales when the doors open to reveal Meyers. Click here to read more

Jim Gaffigan Answers 'What Would You Be Like In The Military?' At Stand Up For Heroes (VIDEO) (Huff Post- Comedy)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:58:06 -0500

Just in time for Veterans Day, Jim Gaffigan told us what he would be like if he were forced to join the military today.

Gaffigan performed on an all-star bill at Stand Up For Heroes, sharing the stage with President Bill Clinton, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, Ricky Gervais, Brian Williams, Seth Meyers and most importantly, several men and women in uniform. The show was a fundraiser for the Bob Woodruff Foundation to aid wounded veterans. Since its founding in 2008, they have raised over $12 million for soldiers -- on Wednesday night alone, one audience member donated $160,000 for one of Springsteen's guitars.

Check out Gaffigan's response to his hypothetical service in the military. Click here to watch the video

Ricky Gervais, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart for Stand Up for Heroes event (SHOWBIZ)

Remind.org — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:40:31 -0500

Ricky Gervais and Bruce Springsteen will be among the stars to appear and perform at this year's Stand Up for Heroes benefit concert in association with the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

The night in New York aims to raise money for military families in need. The event will take place at the Beacon Theatre on November 9 and will also form the start of the New York Comedy Festival.

Bob Woodruff said in a statement: "Stand up for Heroes is one night that Lee and I hope we can lessen the burden, converge communities, and offer entertainment and comedic relief to those who have sacrificed so much for us.

"This is a time to salute our wounded troops, enjoy the performances, and demonstrate our continued commitment to the cause."

Gervais added: "There is no greater honour for me than being asked to be part of this event."Click here to view more

Veteran to take part in event for heroes (The Advertiser Tribune)

Remind.org — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:11:39 -0500

FOSTORIA - A U.S. Army veteran from Fostoria who was injured in Iraq is to participate in an event in New York put on by the foundation of a journalist who also was injured in battle.

Shane Parsons, who was deployed to Iraq in 2005, was driving the lead Humvee for a mission Sept. 30, 2006, when he and his gunner were hit by a group of explosives. The 21-year-old went into cardiac arrest, suffered a traumatic head injury, lost both legs above his knees and was revived.

This week, Shane, who retired as a sergeant about two years ago, and his mother, Cindy, are to participate in Bob Woodruff Foundation's Stand up for Heroes event. Woodruff, a journalist, was injured in Iraq and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Shane is to appear on the outside portion of "Good Morning America" Thursday.

"We love New York. ... It's fun just to watch the people. People are amazing," Cindy said.

Cindy said they are to leave Monday for New York and are to be there until Thursday. The event includes a dinner, comedy show and Bruce Springsteen concert. She said she learned officials are going to do makeovers for the mothers and wives for the dinner.

"It's a dress-up thing," she said.

Cindy and Shane are to visit the Sept. 11 memorial and construction site and have lunch with contractors who had a part in erecting it.

After "Good Morning America," Shane and Cindy are to leave for Texas to participate in Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride, which uses adaptive equipment.

"I am going to be speaking at the beginning of the Soldier Ride," Cindy said.

Cindy said Shane's trainer has been working with him for several weeks to prepare him for the ride and will be riding with him. Cindy also is to participate in the race.

"I can't keep up with him. ... I'm not as good as they are, but I will try my best," she said.

After Cindy and Shane's trip to New York, Cindy's brother-in-law, John McClellan, is to start walking from Fostoria to Chicago to promote awareness of wounded warriors and post-traumatic stress disorder. John's son, Joshua McClellan, who is Shane's cousin, served two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.

"(John) decided that he wanted to do something. ... I think this is great," Cindy said.Click here to view more

The charity trunk shows: Elephant Heart necklace helps the troops (Los Angeles Times)

Remind.org — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:55:36 -0400

From now through Christmas Day, 50% of the proceeds from the sale of each Elephant Heart charm necklace will be donated to the Bob Woodruff Foundation to support wounded soldiers and their families.

The handmade 1/2-inch 22K gold vermeil pendant on a 16-inch 14K gold fill chain retails for $110 and is part of Elephant Heart's bridal collection (according to the website, it's a popular bridesmaids' gift, and can be personalized by adding a bridesmaid-specific birthstone).

Think of it as helping the folks who stick their necks out for others by buying something to accessorize your own.

The jewelry designer behind the Elephant Heart line (which also includes a wide range of pieces that have nothing to do with the proboscis-porting pachyderm, including necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and cufflinks) is L.A.-based artist Elyse Graham, and the Nov. 1 to Dec. 25 support of the Woodruff Foundation is only one of the ways she wraps a charitable/social responsibility element into her work.

Another way is through the greeting cards sold through her site (two different assortments of 10 cards each) which sell for $20 with 100% of proceeds going to Los Angeles' 32nd Street School -- whose students' elephant-themed artwork adorns the cards -- to promote arts education and purchase art supplies. Click to view article

Sturgis Thunder Music Festival Benefit (Ultimate MotorCycling | News and Reviews)

Remind.org — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:52:42 -0400

The inaugural American Thunder Music Festival, a benefit concert for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, made history in front of an audience of 50,000 fans this past weekend (August 13) when Jeff Bridges hosted and performed along with Stevie Nicks and John Fogerty.

Nicks performed in the midst of a howling thundering windstorm and tornado warnings... The show was the first major benefit concert in the 71-year history of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

American Thunder will be broadcast internationally to over one million active duty men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces in more than 175 countries and U.S. territories, and on U.S. Navy ships around the world.

The Foundation's founder, ABC newsman Bob Woodruff, welcomed the crowds saying, "We're so honored to play a role in helping to salute the men and women who serve, who sacrifice, and their families who support them. I know there are thousands of vets in the audience tonight, and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your service."

Jeff Bridges says: "I'm honored to support the Bob Woodruff Foundation. I've seen a few interesting places in my day - but nothing like this. This is Thunderdome meets Apocalypse Now. In 2006 when Bob was injured covering the war in Iraq, I was amazed he survived, and not only did he recover, he didn't walk away from the troops he was covering.

"With his family's support - he dedicated himself to helping service men and women who suffer from the visible and invisible scars of war," concluded Bridges. His remarks preceded a strong 60-minute performance which included tunes from his new self-titled CD, which is being released today.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Nicks performed her classic hits "Landslide" and "Rhiannon" along with a haunting version of "Soldiers Angel" which she told the audience was written and inspired by her many visits over the years to Walter Reed Hospital and Bethesda to visit wounded soldiers.

The moment could not have been more dramatic.

David Clark (American Thunder's creator) says: "Our giant 40′x60′ foot backdrop was ripped from the rigging and went sailing through the back of the stage like a leaf in the wind. I was on the verge of pulling the plug.

"At that point I looked at a determined Stevie Nicks as she braced herself against the wind with hair flying and those famous streamers from her mic violently flying as she launched into her song about the need to care for the country's wounded warriors. Over 50,000 people watched with me in amazement as Stevie continued to perform. It's no exaggeration to say that this was the most emotional moment I've ever witnessed at a show."

After the wind suddenly died down, Bridges introduced Fogerty, "John's music is part of the very fabric of America... I used to think he wrote the sound track to the Vietnam War." Fogerty rocked the house, delivering hit after hit.

The evening also included taped messages of support for the Bob Woodruff Foundation by President Barack Obama, former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Michelle Obama.Click here to view more

50,000 Fans Dazzled at First American Thunder Music Festival Benefit for Bob Woodruff Foundation -- Performances by Jeff Bridges, Stevie Nicks and John Fogerty at Legendary Buffalo Chip (Cloud Computing Journal)

Remind.org — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:47:19 -0400

STURGIS, S.D., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The inaugural American Thunder Music Festival, a benefit concert for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, made history in front of an audience of 50,000 fans this past weekend (August 13) when Jeff Bridges hosted and performed along with Stevie Nicks and John Fogerty. Nicks performed in the midst of a howling thundering windstorm and tornado warnings... The show was the first major benefit concert in the 71-year history of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

"I'm honored to support the Bob Woodruff Foundation," commented host Jeff Bridges. "I've seen a few interesting places in my day - but nothing like this. This is Thunderdome meets Apocalypse Now. In 2006 when Bob was injured covering the war in Iraq, I was amazed he survived, and not only did he recover, he didn't walk away from the troops he was covering. With his family's support - he dedicated himself to helping service men and women who suffer from the visible and invisible scars of war," concluded Bridges. His remarks preceded a strong 60-minute performance which included tunes from his new self-titled CD, which is being released today.

Buffalo Chip, city of Sturgis to honor military (Black Hills Pioneer)

Remind.org — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:16:12 -0400

STURGIS – Riding is all about freedom, and freedom is all about the sacrifices our soldiers make to preserve our country.

During the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, when it comes to honoring those soldiers and the freedom they worked so hard to preserve, nobody does it better than the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground.

This year will mark 23 years of honoring veterans and soldiers at the Buffalo Chip, and the 2011 celebration that marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11 will be the best so far, with many patriotic things to see and do. The traveling Vietnam Wall, a scaled-down reproduction of the actual Washington D.C. memorial to our fallen Vietnam soldiers, will be on display at the Buffalo Chip throughout the Rally. The wall is identical to the original monument and is more than 400 feet long.

In addition to the wall, Chip owner Rod Woodruff said the display will be part of the campground's annual Freedom Field tribute, which consists of 2,000 American flags. Those flags feature the dog tags of every American troop who has been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Tributes for World War II, the Korean conflict, and something related to every war the U.S. has been involved in since the revolution will also take place.

“For the past 20 years The Chip has celebrated the freedoms for which our military have fought and died,” according to an official Buffalo Chip statement about the military tributes. “Many of the folks who come to the Buffalo Chip each year are among those who fought or are currently in the fight.”

In addition to the Vietnam Wall and the Freedom Field, the Buffalo Chip will also unveil a field cross sculpture on the grounds, crafted by metal artist Vaughn Schafer. The Patriot Flag - a huge 30 by 58-foot, 60-pound flag, will also fly over the Freedom Field, courtesy of the Patriot Guard Riders. South Dakota will be the last of the 50 states to fly the Patriot Flag before it is delivered to Ground Zero in Manhattan, N.Y., Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The flag will be displayed from a fire engine ladder truck provided by Rosenbauer America, of Lyons, S.D.

Though all of these displays will be available for viewing throughout Rally week, the military tribute will culminate on Thursday, Aug. 11 with the Legendary Buffalo Chip's Military Appreciation Day. On that day, Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges will host special guests for the “American Thunder Music Festival” at the Chip. The music festival will be a fundraiser for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which works to help troops and their families. Click here to view more

Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty to Perform at Music (True Oldies Channel)

Remind.org — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:58:12 -0400

Stevie Nicks is a huge supporter of wounded soldiers, and U.S. troops in general, so it's no surprise to hear that she'll be playing an event to benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The charity, co-founded by ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, ensures that veterans get the help they need, including physical rehabilitation, counseling, education and financial assistance.

The event is the first annual American Thunder Music Festival, which will take place August 11 in Sturgis, SD, during the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. In addition to Nicks, the bill also includes John Fogerty and Oscar-winner Jeff Bridges, who's releasing his debut album this summer. In a statement, Stevie says, "I am honored to join Jeff Bridges for this show in support of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. I feel proud to show my love for returning vets and their families and to honor their bravery." Click here to view more

Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty among American Thunder fest headliners (Sound Spike)

Remind.org — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:37:22 -0400

Stevie Nicks will appear at the first annual American Thunder Music Festival, joining John Fogerty and Jeff Bridges at the Aug. 11 show at the Legendary Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, SD.

The concert -- which plays during the 71st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally -- will benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which provides resources and support to service members, veterans and their families to help them reintegrate into their communities and thrive physically, psychologically, socially and economically, according to a press release.

"With so many service men and women returning from the battle field, it's critical that we honor their service by helping them return to their local communities," Woodruff said in a statement.

Nicks' new album, "In Your Dreams," includes a song she was inspired to write following her many visits to Walter Reed Hospital and Bethesda Medical Center. "Stevie Nicks' song 'Soldiers Angel' is the most beautiful song I've ever heard about wounded warriors and those who comfort them," said David Clark, founder of American Thunder, in a statement.

Funds from the concert will benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which invests in programs that connect troops to the services they need, including physical rehabilitation and counseling, education, employment and financial assistance, as well as help with larger issues like homelessness and suicide. Click here to view more

Stevie Nicks to Join Jeff Bridges and John Fogerty at American Thunder Music Festival at Legendary Sturgis, Buffalo Chip August 11, 2011 (Marketwire)

Remind.org — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:59:30 -0400

All-Star Concert Will Benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, in Celebration of the Men and Women of the United States Military and Their Families

STURGIS, SD--(Marketwire - Jul 19, 2011) - The first annual American Thunder Music Festival has added Stevie Nicks to the lineup that already includes John Fogerty. The all-star concert is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 11th, at the Legendary Buffalo Chip.

"I am honored to join Jeff Bridges for this show in support of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. I feel proud to show my love for returning vets and their families and to honor their bravery," commented Nicks -- a longtime supporter of returning vets. Nicks' new CD, "In Your Dreams," includes the poignant, Nicks penned original song "Soldiers Angel" which she was inspired to write following her many visits to Walter Reed Hospital and Bethesda Medical Center. Nicks will be performing the song at the Festival and it is sure to be one of many highlights of this historic show.

"Stevie's support for the men and women who serve is almost as legendary as her voice," said Bridges. "Her songs and distinctive voice have become part of the very fabric of America."

"With so many service men and women returning from the battle field, it's critical that we honor their service by helping them return to their local communities," said Bob Woodruff, ABC News Anchor, and Co-Founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. "Because there are people like Jeff Bridges, John Fogerty and Stevie Nicks, who lend their distinctive voices to this cause, I have no doubt our fellow Americans will help us say 'thank you' to those who serve."

"Stevie Nicks' song 'Soldiers Angel' is the most beautiful song I've ever heard about wounded warriors and those who comfort them," said David Clark, founder of American Thunder. "We're all honored to have her participate."Click here to view more

Legendary John Fogerty Joins Jeff Bridges in Sturgis (Black Hills Today)

Remind.org — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:39:46 -0400

STURGIS, SD -- JULY 1, 2011 - Jeff Bridges is proud to host John Fogerty and his band at the American Thunder Music Festival to be held on Thursday August 11th, at the Legendary Buffalo Chip.

John Fogerty is an American Icon whose music has inspired generations. His songs and distinctive voice have become part of the very fabric of America. As an Army Veteran himself, he actively promotes veterans causes, along with issues that affect active duty men and women in uniform and their families.

"With so many service men and women returning from the battle field, it's critical that we honor their service by helping them return to their local communities," said Bob Woodruff, ABC News Anchor, and Co-Founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. "Because there are people like John Fogerty who lend their distinctive voice to this cause, I have no doubt our fellow Americans will help us say 'thank you' to those who serve."

"In the same way that Robert Capa's iconic pictures of the beach landing on D-Day symbolize the great struggle that was World War II, John Fogerty was able to capture the cultural mood and moment of the Viet Nam War through songs like "Fortunate Son" and "Suzie Q," said David Clark, American Thunder founder. "When you listen to these anthems - you get the feeling you're listening to the soundtrack of the War itself."

"We're honored to promote The Bob Woodruff Foundation, and are proud that John Fogerty will stand with us as we pay tribute to those who wear, and have worn the uniform of the United States - during our 24th year paying tribute to our Armed Forces" said Rod Woodruff, owner of the Legendary Buffalo Chip. "Stay tuned, as we'll have some more Special Guests of the American Thunder Music Festival at the Buffalo Chip to announce shortly."

Click here to view more

Gates, Mullen support 'Stand up for Heroes' (American Forces Press Service)

Remind.org — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:45:53 -0400

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke for the need for enduring support for service members at a fundraising event for wounded warriors and their families.

The Defense Department leaders spoke before a crowd of about 800 who gathered in the Ronald Reagan Building here for the Bob Woodruff Foundation's 'Stand Up For Heroes' event.

"I would like to thank Bob and Lee Woodruff for all they've done and continue to do for our wounded warriors and their families," Secretary Gates said.

Families of the wounded have sacrificed and suffered much, the secretary said, adding, "America is grateful and eternally in your debt for the care and support you provide every single day to our heroes."

Secretary Gates told the wounded veterans in attendance, "I am continually amazed by your grit and your resilience." Click here to view more

John Fogerty to join Jeff Bridges at the Buffalo Chip (Rapid City Journal)

Remind.org — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:02:47 -0400

John Fogerty and his band will join the All-Star concert to promote The Bob Woodruff Foundation at the American Thunder Music Festival on Aug. 11, at the Buffalo Chip Campground, in a program hosted by Jeff Bridges in celebration of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

Funds raised by the festival will be invested in programs that connect troops to the services they need, including physical rehabilitation and counseling, education, employment and financial assistance, as well as help with larger issues like homelessness and suicide. Click here to view more

Craig Newmark will donate $100,000 to military veterans and families (Examiner.com:San Jose, CA)

Remind.org — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:12:22 -0400

Craig Newmark, founder of CraigsList and CraigConnects, launched a new campaign today in order to support non-profit and government organizations who work with veterans and military families. The campaign is part of the entrepreneurs CraigConnects initiative which he launched in March. The campaign includes a $100,000 grant for four veterans’ organizations as well as a social media campaign to help raise additional funds from the general public.

Craig Newmark: “A lot of people do a lot of good work to help military families and vets, and I’d like to bring attention to them and to provide some direct support. These guys really get the job done, effectively providing services and advocacy where they’re needed.” Click here to view more

Craigslist and craigconnects Founder Craig Newmark Announces Campaign to Support Veterans and Military Families (PR Newswire)

Remind.org — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:04:15 -0400

SAN FRANCISCO, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- craigslist and craigconnects founder Craig Newmark today launched a month-long campaign to support non-profit and government organizations that successfully work with veterans and military families. The campaign is part of his craigconnects initiative launched in March, and includes a $100,000 grant challenge for four highly respected non-profit veterans' organizations, as well as extensive social media outreach by Newmark and the organizations involved.

"A lot of people do a lot of good work to help military families and vets, and I'd like to bring attention to them and to provide some direct support," said Newmark.

The non-profit organizations selected for the campaign are Blue Star Families, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, the Intrepid Foundation, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The four will participate in a grant challenge to raise funds from their existing and new supporters.

"These guys really get the job done, effectively providing services and advocacy where they're needed," said Newmark.

Newmark said he will donate a total of $100,000 to the four organizations based on the number of donations they receive during the challenge, rather than the amount of money they raise. "What I want to do with craigconnects is help build involvement, not just raise money. All non-profits need money, but what they really need are supporters who will be there long-term. I hope everybody will come to our site, check out these groups, and decide which they want to support."

He added that he is also using social and traditional media to support government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and local VA medical centers. "They're starting to use social media to provide better customer service and outreach to our veterans," he said. "I want people to know about the good stuff they're getting done." Click here to view more

Woodruff Foundation Brings New York Gala to Washington With Jon Stewart, Train (BizBash)

Remind.org — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:40:00 -0400

The Bob Woodruff Foundation hosted its inaugural Washington Stand Up for Heroes gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Thursday night. After two years in a comedy show format in New York, the event moved to Washington for the first time, bringing along headlining entertainment from The Daily Show's Jon Stewart and Grammy-winning band Train.

More than 750 local media, foundation supporters, and current and past servicemen and servicewomen from the five branches of the military came out to raise money for the foundation's efforts to help veterans after their service. Among the attendees were 75 patients from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda.Click here to view more

A not-so-serious Stewart seriously supports the troops (Washington Examiner)

Remind.org — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:42:23 -0400

Comedian Jon Stewart is known for his "Daily Show" gig, but what does he do in his down time? Apparently, he goes down to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and hangs out with the wounded troops. "I actually have a life outside of television, where we don't have cameras and you actually just do things," Stewart joked to Yeas & Nays. "It's a whole weird world, a non-reality-TV world."

Stewart was tapped as the standup act for the Bob Woodruff Foundation's "Stand Up for Heroes" event that took place Thursday evening at the Ronald Reagan Building. (Woodruff, who works for ABC News, started the group, which helps "heal the wounds of war," after being injured in Iraq.)

Looking out into a crowd that included many recovering service members, the "Daily Show" host reminded the audience that it could be worse. "Even in their darkest times, remember, at least they don't have blurry pictures of their genitals spread around the Internet," Stewart said. "Although you have to give credit to a guy whose last name turns out to be the part of his body that gets him into all this trouble," referencing the recent Weinergate scandal.

He then shared his favorite part of the story: the fact that disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner had to call Bill Clinton to apologize. "For what? Copyright infringement?" Stewart asked.

There was a more serious side to the evening, as well. "This night is sort of like a mullet: The business is in the front and the party is in the back," Woodruff's wife Lee joked from the podium. Click here to view more

The Bob Woodruff Foundation's Stand Up for Heroes (The Hill: The Washington Scene)

Remind.org — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:37:36 -0400

The Bob Woodruff Foundation's Stand Up for Heroes event drew hundreds of people to the Ronald Reagan Building Thursday evening. The event honored injured service members, veterans and their families.

The event featured performances by Jon Stewart, Train and 4 Troops, a patriotic band. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait Salem Al-Sabah and his wife Rima and other notables in the military field were in attendance.

Click here to view the

Recap: Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Stand Up for Heroes with Jon Stewart and Train (Miss A)

Remind.org — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:30:33 -0400

Stand Up for Heroes premiere event in DC descended on the Ronald Reagan Building Thursday night with a star studded line-up of Jon Stewart and Grammy-award winning band Train and over 700 attendees. Also in attendance were CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, White House press secretary Jim Carney, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert Gates, and many wounded warriors and their families.

There was reception and a dinner which were hosted by Bob and Lee Woodruff. At the reception SecDef Gates talked about going to visit all the wounded troops. It is the toughest part of his job. During dinner, Admiral Mullen gave a moving speech thanking SecDef Gates for his tremendous support to our military members. He moved SecDef Gates to tears when he described his dedication in taking care of all of our troops and ensuring injured service members received the best care.

Jon Stewart was hilarious as always with his 20 minute set. He described how articulate females are with an example of his children. He would come home from work and his daughter would ask politely how his day at work was and did he tell jokes. She would share she had a joke to tell him too. Meanwhile his son is naked with a cowboy hat trying to stuff his fist into his mouth. Stewart poked fun at ADM Mullen for wearing his dress whites naval uniform and called him “very brave” for eating in his attire. Stewart ended his routine poignantly talking about how visiting the troops gives him much meaning. He is incredulous how troops would thank him for visiting when he would think to himself, “No, thank you! I get so much more coming to visit you all than you will ever know.” Stewart mingled with the crowd at the end of the night. He took special care to greet the troops and pose with pictures with them. When told two injured marines wanted to talk to them, he left the crowd to walk over to them as the marines’ faces lighted up. Click here to view more

Gates, Mullen Support ‘Stand up for Heroes’ (DOD news)

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:43:52 -0400

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke for the need for enduring support for service members at a fundraising event for wounded warriors and their families.

The Defense Department leaders spoke before a crowd of about 800 who gathered in the Ronald Reagan Building here for the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s ‘Stand Up For Heroes’ event.

“I would like to thank Bob and Lee Woodruff for all they’ve done and continue to do for our wounded warriors and their families,” Gates said.

Families of the wounded have sacrificed and suffered much, the secretary said, adding, “America is grateful and eternally in your debt for the care and support you provide every single day to our heroes.”

Gates told the wounded veterans in attendance, “I am continually amazed by your grit and your resilience.”

When he became defense secretary and first thought of visiting wounded men and women in uniform, Gates said, “I wasn’t sure I could handle it, or what I would say. Seeing firsthand the incredible sacrifice … I frankly wasn’t sure I could keep it together.”

Gates said people kept telling him, “They will lift you up.”

“And you have,” he said. “More than you can possibly imagine.”

When he became secretary, Gates said, he pledged to provide the best-possible care for those wounded in combat.

“I am confident with the commitment and help and advocacy of military leaders like Admiral Mullen and his wife, Deb, our local communities, and organizations such as the Woodruff Foundation, this Department of Defense and this country will do what is necessary to continue to fulfill our obligation to our wounded heroes,” Gates said.

At the heart of the volunteer force is a legal, social and sacred contract between the United States and the people who serve in its military, Gates said.

That contract, he said, is “an inviolable promise, that when young Americans step forward of their own free will to serve, they can do so with the expectation that they and their families will be properly cared for.”

That promise is carved in stone within President Abraham Lincoln’s memorial, Gates noted.

“His words echo through time,” the secretary said, “calling on us today to care for ‘him who shall have borne the battle.’”

“The debt owed by all Americans to those of you who have given so much can never be fully repaid,” Gates said. “You have my deepest gratitude and respect for all that you have given. Know that I, along with many others here tonight and all across the country, will be an advocate for you for the rest of my days.”

Mullen also emphasized the need for Americans to remember what service members and their families have contributed to the nation.

“We are grateful not only to the men and women who wear the uniform, but the families who have made so much possible and made such a difference in so many lives,” he said.

“We live in a time where so much is changing,” Mullen said. He noted that since Bob Woodruff, an ABC News correspondent, was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2006, there have been significant improvements in battlefield medicine and support to wounded veterans and their families.

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Jon Stewart & SecDef Robert Gates ‘Train’ Wounded Warriors At Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Stand Up For Heroes Event! (Revamp.com)

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:26:14 -0400

NORTHWEST -- Purple hearts and stars and stripes were liberally on display at the Ronald Reagan Building on Thursday evening, as the Bob Woodruff Foundation hosted the Washington, D.C. debut of its signature ‘Stand Up For Heroes’ event.

Co-founded by Bob Woodruff and Lee Woodruff after Bob was seriously injured while reporting on the Iraq war in 2006, the non-profit (originally an offshoot of the Brain Injury Association of America) works with government, corporate, and non-profit partners to identify and help fulfill the unmet needs of today’s service members, veterans, and their families, with a specific focus on aiding the physically and psychologically wounded.Click here to view more

Comedians Roast Weiner After Resignation (ABC Entertainment News)

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:19:53 -0400

Late night comedians have been having a Weiner roast since the sexting scandal involving New York congressman Anthony Weiner first broke.

News of his resignation Thursday brought on a fresh onslaught of jokes from all the late-night hosts -- except Jon Stewart, who was at an event in Washington, D.C. Stewart didn't tape a show yesterday because he was performing at a Bob Woodruff Foundation event where he got in a few cracks about Weiner according to someone who attended the event.

On "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Leno joked that "there will be no more junk mail from Anthony Weiner," adding "I guess he realized he couldn't stick it out any longer."

Leno quipped that his replacement may be Brett Favre, who was embroiled in a similar sexting scandal, and made a gag that the embattled congressman may want to text his resignation letter.Click here to view more

The Washington Scene (The Hill)

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:17:26 -0400

Click here to view

Who, What, Where: Jon Stewart & Train (Glittarazi)

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:15:55 -0400

Click here to view

Upcoming Events (Variety.com)

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:13:08 -0400

...........THURSDAY: Women in Film's Crystal + Lucy Awards honors Annette Bening, Katie Holmes and CBS' Nina Tassler, among others. Beverly Hilton Hotel. Wif.org

Jon Stewart emcees the Bob Woodruff Foundation's Stand Up for Heroes fund-raiser to benefit injured service members. Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan Building. Remind.org .....

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Today in the Department of Defense, 6/16/2011

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:04:49 -0400

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen delivers remarks at 7:30 p.m. EDT at the Bob Woodruff Foundation's Stand Up for Heroes event in the Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. Media interested in attending should contact Rene Bardorf at 703-881-6994. click here to view more

Op-ed: Bob Woodruff - Let's stand up for our heroes (USA Today)

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:32:00 -0400

By Bob Woodruff, Special to USA TODAY - Kindness

I know that most of us during this time of economic difficulties don't think everyday about the men and women serving in our military. But we have to remember that we are approaching a decade of being at war. It is almost 10 years since the attacks of September 11th thrust us into conflict.

In this decade roughly 2.2 million Americans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Less than 1% of our population has served there, compared to 12 percent in WWII. I remember during the days of the Vietnam war, our neighborhood was filled with teenagers who were heading to the battlefields of southeast Asia. The families with loved ones overseas were on almost every street. I was born in Michigan in August 1961 (exactly 2 weeks after President Obama was born in Hawaii). So by the time both of us turned 18, the draft was over and serving and enlisting became voluntary.

I did get a chance to go back to Afghanistan with Admiral Mike Mullen almost two years ago, and when we were there I asked one of the soldiers where he was on 9/11. He said he was in his 4th grade class. He was 10 years old when this war began.

As a nation, we need to do everything we can to support our troops. Those who are injured especially deserve help from the rest of us who have benefitted from their willing service.click here to view

The week ahead on the Hill: Deficit-reduction talks speed up; House returns after Weiner scandal (The Washington Post Blog)

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:27:12 -0400

6:30 p.m.: Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart hosts the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s “Stand Up for Heroes” gala which features musical performances by Train and 4 Troops at the Ronald Reagan Building.

Click here to read entire blog

U.S. Olympic Committee announces VERSUS to air special on 2011 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte; online coverage provided on USParalympics.org (USOCPRESSBOX.ORG)

Remind.org — Mon, 16 May 2011 01:12:31 -0400

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) announced today that VERSUS, part of the NBC Sports Group, will air a 2011 Warrior Games special presented by Deloitte on Saturday, June 18, at 7 p.m. ET. Coverage of the event will also be carried on the official U.S. Paralympics website, USParalympics.org.

The 2011 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte will take place in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 16-21, where approximately 220 wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations will compete in seven sports.

The competition is a joint effort between the USOC and the Department of Defense, and is supported by Deloitte, USO, BP, Fisher House Foundation and Bob Woodruff Foundation.

"This multi-faceted coverage is an opportunity for the U.S. Olympic Committee and its partners to share the spirit and impact of the event with all Americans," said USOC Chief of Paralympics Charlie Huebner. "The Warrior Games emphasize the importance of physical activity for all persons with physical disabilities."

VERSUS' one-hour special will introduce viewers to several competing athletes and give an inside look at how sport is changing the lives of these courageous men and women. VERSUS will also re-air the program on Tuesday, June 21, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Fans will also be able to log on to USParalympics.org/WarriorGames to view live coverage of the Opening Ceremony on Monday, May 16, at 5:00 p.m. MT. Online broadcasts of the competition will include the wheelchair basketball bronze and gold medal games on Friday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. MT and the sitting volleyball bronze and gold medal games on Saturday, May 21, at 1:00 p.m. MT. click here to view more

A Devastating Injury Spawns New Role for TV Anchor and Wife (Second Act)

Remind.org — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:09:53 -0400

Lee Woodruff's first book, In an Instant, is aptly named. She begins with this sentence: "There is a ride at Disney World called the Tower of Terror, and on the weekend of January 28, 2006, my four children, even the twin 5-year-olds, begged me to go on that ride over and over again."

The ride begins on a creaky elevator, and then it suddenly drops. "The descent is so rapid, so sudden, that it almost sucks your diaphragm up into your throat... there is a moment where you are literally suspended in air, too stunned to scream."

The following morning at 7 a.m., while her kids slept in their hotel room, the ride began anew when she learned that her husband, ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff, was critically injured in Iraq.

While embedded with the military, the newsman suffered a traumatic brain injury when an explosive device went off near the tank he was riding in. Bob Woodruff's five-year recovery has been painful and protracted at times, and the experience led the family to take on an unexpected mission.

Spurred by the stories of brain-injured soldiers at Bethesda Naval Hospital, the couple created the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) to aid injured service members and their families, with a special emphasis on the hidden injuries of war -- traumatic brain injury (TBI) and combat stress.Click here to view more

In Honor of Mother's Day: Four Amazing Moms You Should Know (HuffPost Living)

Remind.org — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:21:50 -0400

Amy Brenneman For this Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee and 46-year-old mom, family comes first. Husband Brad Silberling, a successful film director, and their children, Charlotte, 10, and Bodhi, 5, are the ones who Brenneman says keep her grounded.

She's been in over 15 films and has starred in such iconic TV series as: NYPD Blue, Frasier and Judging Amy. Currently, she plays Dr. Violet Turner, a psychiatrist in ABC's hit medical "dramedy," Private Practice. And if you think she's a vapid LA actress, think again, Amy has a degree in Comparative Religion from Harvard University.

Amy says personal satisfaction with her job helps her be a better mom and wife. She's also a very hands on parent. I experienced this personally when I was interviewing her on the phone and she said, "Can I call you back in an hour? I'm pulling up to my daughter's school and I'm volunteering at the bake sale." And she did call me back - twice. But I didn't answer because I was dealing with a toddler who had taken a nasty fall. Oh, the irony after discussing work/life balance! There's no "have your people call my people" with Brenneman.

Brenneman believes strongly in giving back and getting involved. She works with numerous charitable and advocacy organizations, including The Feminist Majority Foundation, Healthy Child/Healthy World, CARE, The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Reproductive freedom is very important to Brenneman saying, "It's one of the most critical issues facing our leaders today."

In addition to starring in a hugely successful TV series, being a wife and mother, and her myriad of causes, Brenneman somehow found the time to write a theater piece, "Mouth Wide Open." It's candidly autobiographical and juxtaposes Brenneman's hunger for the spiritual with the pressures of celebrity. Irreverent, intimate and funny, "Mouth Wide Open" will run at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at the Loeb Drama Center, in Boston May 24-29. AmericanRepertoryTheater.org Click here to view more

Jeff Bridges and Friends to play at Buffalo Chip during Sturgis rally (Rapid City Journal)

Remind.org — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:10:24 -0400

Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges will show music fans a new side of his talents when his group Jeff Bridges and Friends performs a concert at the Buffalo Chip Campground on Aug. 11 during the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally.

Bridges has collaborated with his "Crazy Heart" music producer, T Bone Burnett, to record his first country album, which will be released later this year.

Bridges is scheduled to perform with his band and some yet-to-be announced "very special friends."

He will help raise funds for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which provides resources and support to service members, veterans and their families. The foundation is named for ABC correspondent Bob Woodruff, who, in 2006, suffered a critical brain injury from a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. click here to view article

Academy Award Winner Jeff Bridges to Host “Special Guests” At American Thunder Music Festival at Legendary Buffalo Chip (American Thunder Music Festival Forum)

Remind.org — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:26:59 -0400

All-Star concert will benefit The Bob Woodruff Foundation, in celebration of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families.

BUFFALO CHIP CAMPGROUND, SD – April 26, 2011 – The Bob Woodruff Foundation has selected The Legendary Buffalo Chip to host the American Thunder Music Festival during the iconic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to celebrate the men and women of the United States Military.

Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges and his band will perform songs from Crazy Heart and more, as well as host “Special Guests” from the world of music and film at the Buffalo Chip on Thursday, Aug. 11.

“I’m proud and honored to support the brave men and women of the U.S. military, and their families who sacrifice so much for all of us,” said Bridges. “Through the efforts of The Bob Woodruff Foundation, which helps service members successfully integrate back into their communities, we honor ordinary Americans who have become extraordinary through their selflessness.”

“We’re proud to work with the Sturgis Buffalo Chip and its founder Rod Woodruff, who for more than 30 years has celebrated those who serve, and whose sacrifices have made possible the freedom we all enjoy, said Bob Woodruff, ABC News Anchor, and co-founder of The Bob woodruff Foundation. “We encourage people in communities everywhere to support our troops who have stood so bravely for us.”

“It’s a privilege to stand up for our nation’s heroes with the Bob Woodruff Foundation,” said Rod Woodruff, founder and owner of the Buffalo Chip. “With the support of the patriotic biker community visiting the Sturgis Rally and the Buffalo Chip – and whose riders are largely made up of veterans and their families – we look forward to having them join our Freedom Celebration.”

“With so many servicemen and servicewomen now returning home, it’s essential we give them the smoothest transition possible, and we thank The Bob Woodruff Foundation and The Buffalo Chip for helping us send this important message to the nation,” said David Clark, American Thunder founder and CEO of David Clark Cause. “Through this benefit concert, broadcast, and call to action, we want Americans everywhere to understand the level of sacrifice being made, and then give them the opportunity to say “thank you.”

Funds raised by American Thunder will be invested in programs connecting troops to needed services, including physical rehabilitation and counseling, education, employment and financial assistance, as well has helping with larger issues like homelessness and suicide. “As the war in Iraq comes to a close and the war in Afghanistan persists, the challenges our nation’s service members and their families face continue. As Americans, we must come together to help give them successful futures in honor of their sacrifices,” said Rene Bardorf, Executive Director, The Bob Woodruff Foundation.Click here to view more

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER JEFF BRIDGES TO HOST “SPECIAL GUESTS” AT AMERICAN THUNDER MUSIC FESTIVAL AT LEGENDARY BUFFALO CHIP (buffalochip.com)

Remind.org — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:21:47 -0400

Caring for a Loved One with Chronic Pain: The Four Caregiver Cornerstones (HuffPost Living)

Remind.org — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:38:32 -0400

I've written before about the importance of caregivers -- the unsung heroes in our midst. No one asks to become a caregiver. When you're thrust into that role unexpectedly, it can be truly devastating, particularly when your loved one is experiencing chronic pain, a condition that affects a whopping 53 million Americans.

In 2006, my husband, Bob, was injured by an improvised explosive device while on assignment in Iraq. After he awoke from a five-week-long coma -- also known as the longest five weeks of my life -- he was in a tremendous amount of pain. His doctors in Baghdad had saved his life by removing 16 centimeters of his skull, so most of us can't even imagine how that must have felt. Doctors implanted a skull liner after four months, but during that time, Bob was in extreme pain. Even sneezing hurt him immensely. I can tell you from personal experience, there is nothing worse than seeing a loved one in pain.

During this same time, I was trying accept my new reality -- balancing my already busy life as a mother to four children (from twin five-year-olds to teenagers) with the new role of caregiver.

I remember when the magnitude of this responsibility hit me. After Bob was injured, he was flown from Iraq to Germany and then to Maryland, where he was being treated at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. A doctor there handed me a consent form for all of the various treatments Bob was about to undergo, and the form included a laundry list of the possible complications, including death. Wow, I thought to myself. This didn't cross my mind when I was taking my marriage vows so many years ago -- I'm completely and utterly responsible for this man's life. click here to view more

Life and healing in progress (Stars and Stripes)

Remind.org — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:23:36 -0400

She’s a working mother of four who has moved many times during her 22-year marriage. Her husband’s career takes him away from home, often overseas and on short notice. Lee Woodruff is not a military wife, but she could claim a measure of sisterhood.

Her initiation came at a place no one chooses, the bedside of her injured husband at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

Bob Woodruff, then an anchor for ABC News, suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a roadside bomb in 2006 while traveling with an Army unit in Iraq

“Bob was not a warrior, but he was a firm believer that as long as there were Americans putting their lives on the line for us, there needed to be journalists telling their story,” said Lee. “He was serving his country in a different way.”

The Woodruffs encountered military families with wounded loved ones at Landstuhl and later the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland, where Bob also was treated.

“Bob had gotten so much attention as a news anchor,” she said “Yet this was happening to families around the country every day, and nobody was really aware of it.”

Lee recalled one of Bob’s doctors telling her, “You’re a writer, and you should write a book about this experience. Nobody out there in America knows that there are thousands of young men and women in these hospitals with these kinds of injuries.”

Since then, Lee has written two books. The first, “In An Instant,” co-written with Bob in 2007, chronicles their individual paths through his injury and the early days of his recovery.

Her second book, “Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress” (2009), grew out of the first. Both began during the five weeks her husband lay in a coma.

“Everybody at the hospital tells you just to talk, because that’s knitting his brain back together,” Lee said. “So I would just tell him the stories of our life.”

Telling became writing, as Lee tried to make sense of the tragedy through her craft. Not all the stories fit in the first book, and Lee wanted to share the remainder. “Perfectly Imperfect” is a series of essays, stories that connect women as parents, sisters and daughters.

“They are two different books, but the connection is always there of the big bad thing, that moment in life when you hit the gritty part of the pavement that we’re probably all going to meet at some point in one form or another.”

The nitty-gritty events described in “Perfectly Imperfect” include miscarriage, aging parents, aging self, parenting teens, Bob’s injury, recovery and Lee’s experiences as a caregiver. “There are a lot of caregivers who wonder why they feel so sad after the worst is over,” she said.Click here to view more

Caregivers of wounded vets hold conference in Tampa: (TAMPA TRIBUNE)

Remind.org — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:51:22 -0500

TAMPA - For Veronica Thomas, the call that changed her life came Jan. 18, 2008, while she was at a livestock show in Texas.

Her son, Bradley, an Army specialist with the 127th Stryker Brigade, was badly injured when his armored vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in the Iraqi town of Taji.

At first, Thomas says, she had no idea how bad the injuries were.

"At first, we heard he had shrapnel in the leg," she says.

Then came more phone calls. More condition updates.

The news, Thomas says, was grim.

"I was hearing terms I wasn't familiar with," Thomas says. "Intracranial pressure. Glasgow Coma Scale."

That was more than three years ago. Life hasn't been the same since.

Standing in the lobby of the Fisher House at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, where her son has been undergoing intensive treatment for "a body broken from head to toe," Thomas talks about the challenges she faces as a full-time caregiver.

Thomas now lives in Tampa, far from her husband and two other children in Texas. She spends her days tending to Bradley, now 25. She washes him, gets him dressed, feeds him.

Although the company she worked for was understanding, she couldn't keep her job and devote her time to her son. She sees her husband of 27 years once a month, at most.

Thomas is not alone. Across the country, families are faced with having to change their lives to take care of loved ones injured at war. The wounded, studies show, are not the only ones to suffer.

A recently released study by the National Alliance of Caregivers shows that "family caregivers of U.S. veterans sacrifice their own health and jobs to care for their loved ones."

Thomas has plenty of company. Since the war in Afghanistan began in 2001, nearly 170,000 service personnel have traumatic brain injuries.

Being a caregiver to someone severely wounded in war can be isolating. That's why Thomas will join as many as 200 others Thursday at the Pathways to Resilience Caregivers Conference at the Marshall Student Center at the University of South Florida.

The conference was started with a grant written by the American Red Cross, according to regional communications manager Janet McGuire. Tampa was chosen in large measure because Haley has one of the nation's four polytrauma centers and Red Cross officials wanted to do something that would help the folks working with the wounded.

A joint venture of Haley, the American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter and University of South Florida, the conference will bring together family and professional caregivers and offer the chance to network, get help navigating the bureaucratic benefits maze and address issues related to intimacy, spirituality, coping and the reality of caregiving.

Lee Woodruff knows firsthand the stresses and challenges facing Thomas. Click here to view more

The Great Game Play Series Performance for Military Personnel from the Pentagon (The Hill: The Washington Scene)

Remind.org — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:43:20 -0500

The Great Game series of plays was performed at the Shakespeare Theatre, Thursday, February 10, 2011 for military personnel from the Pentagon. The diplomatic community and other policymakers also attended the event, which was sponsored by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the British Council. Click here to read and view images

Maureen Dowd / Playing the Afghan game It's been going on for a very long time, and it's our turn (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Remind.org — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:34:16 -0500

Our 3,413th day at war in Afghanistan seemed like a good day to learn about Afghanistan.

The longest stretch of war in American history has merited the shortest attention span.

I didn't go to Kabul on the secretary of defense's Doomsday plane this time. I signed up with the Pentagon for time travel, flying through history watching a remarkable seven-hour marathon of a 12-play series called "The Great Game." The plays use real and fictional characters, actual transcripts and imagined scenes, to trace the trellis of foreign involvement in Afghanistan from 1842 to the present.

"Afghanistan," one character notes, "has a very complicated relationship with time."

The Shakespeare Theatre donated space, and the British Council and Bob Woodruff Foundation underwrote costs so that the plays could have two performances here last Thursday and Friday. The Pentagon wanted to give the military and their families, including some who had served in Afghanistan and some who may, a chance to learn how that benighted territory earned the nickname "graveyard of empires."

"The question is," says an American staff officer in the play, "are we on our ninth year in Afghanistan, or are we on our first year for the ninth time?"

And a Russian commander notes: "It seems however many battles we win on the ground, we just recruit more fighters for the other side."

With the surge, are we now beating the Taliban, as a U.S. commander in the Helmand province asserted this week, or will we bargain with the Taliban and then decamp like the bowed British and Russians, confused about how the Stone Age socked modernity?

"I've been asked 'Why are you doing this? Aren't these plays going to be anti-war?' " Doug Wilson, the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told me at intermission on Thursday. "I don't see that at all. If most Americans had seen these, it would help them understand, warts and all, what a hugely complex place this is. It would also answer the question 'Why isn't it going to be finished next week?' " Click here to view more

A day at the theater with the Pentagon (Foreign Policy)

Remind.org — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:07:12 -0500

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to sit next to Masood Khalili -- a ringside player in Afghan politics over the last twenty years -- as he relived his past on stage, including the terrifying moment when he witnessed the assassination of the anti-Soviet commander and Afghan political leader Ahmad Shah Massoud by Al Qaeda operatives, just two days before the 9/11 attacks.

The occasion was the Tricycle Theater's The Great Game, a series of plays on Afghanistan's history, which the Pentagon invited back to Washington for two day-long private performances.

The Pentagon performances were organized after a conversation between Army Maj. Gen. John Nicholson, deputy chief of staff of operations for the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and Mary Carstensen, a consultant with Good Stewards, a service-disabled-veteran-owned small business that focuses on supporting State Department and Defense Department contractors. Click here to view more

Marathon training: America’s generals learn about Afghanistan through the stage (The Economist)

Remind.org — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:47:44 -0500

HISTORY may repeat itself, but we are rarely the wiser for it. And Afghanistan, that complicated, hapless place, has long been a victim of its geography. These are among the lessons of “The Great Game: Afghanistan”, a marathon of a dozen plays about the history of Western involvement in the country. Nicolas Kent, the artistic director of the Tricycle Theatre in London, commissioned these works from different writers at a time when he felt the public had stopped caring about Afghanistan. After a successful first run in London in 2009 “The Great Game” returned to Washington, DC, in mid-February at the behest of the Pentagon. Officials at the Defence Department thought it would be a good primer on Afghanistan for serving soldiers, veterans and politicians.

The plays are impressive for the way they convey the complexity of the country’s past without wagging fingers. Presented chronologically in a nearly eight-hour trilogy, the cycle begins in Jalalabad in 1842, during the British and Indian army’s bloody retreat from Kabul (“Bugles at the Gates of Jalalabad” by Stephen Jeffreys), and continues up till 2010, as a British soldier struggles to adjust to life at home after his time in Helmand (“Canopy of Stars” by Simon Stephens). The title, “The Great Game”, an expression popularised by Rudyard Kipling, is a reference to the way the British and Russian empires jockeyed for position in the region in the 19th century. click here to view more

Great Game returns to Washington (British Embassy Press Centre)

Remind.org — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:00:12 -0500

15 February 2011

Last week, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, British Council, and Shakespeare Theatre Company presented The Great Game for an encore US performance in Washington, DC by the invitation of the Pentagon. great-game

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, the UK's international cultural relations organization, also travelled to Washington, DC last week to highlight the support British Council has given to the performance, which toured the US last fall. click here to view more

Worth a Bottle of Whiskey (New York Times)

Remind.org — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:12:15 -0500

Our 3,413th day at war in Afghanistan seemed like a good day to learn about Afghanistan.

The longest stretch of war in American history has merited the shortest attention span.

I didn’t go to Kabul on the secretary of defense’s Doomsday plane this time. I signed up with the Pentagon for time travel, flying through history watching a remarkable seven-hour marathon of a 12-play series called “The Great Game.” The plays use real and fictional characters, actual transcripts and imagined scenes, to trace the trellis of foreign involvement in Afghanistan from 1842 to the present.

“Afghanistan,” one character notes, “has a very complicated relationship with time.”

‘Great Game’ Seeks to Put Afghanistan Experience in Context (American Forces Press Service)

Remind.org — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:35:27 -0500

By Margaret Mullins American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2011 – “The Great Game” was the euphemism the British used when referring to their strategic rivalry with the Russian empire that played out in Afghanistan in the 19th century.

But it was not a game. It was a dirty, bloody, costly engagement for all sides.

“The Great Game” – a nine-hour play presented at The Shakespeare Theatre Company – makes it clear that the deadly “game” continues.

First touring in the United States in the fall of 2010, “The Great Game” has returned in a unique manner. The special performance arose from a conversation between Army Maj. Gen. John Nicholson, deputy chief of staff of operations for the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and Mary Carstensen, a consultant with Good Stewards, a service-disabled-veteran-owned small business that focuses on supporting State Department and Defense Department contractors.

Nicholson believed “The Great Game” was something that anyone connected with Afghanistan should see, and he went to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Doug Wilson to make it happen.

Through the support of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, the British Council, the Tricycle Theater, the Shakespeare Theatre Company, and the Defense Department, the play has been brought to an audience of policy makers, veterans, active duty military personnel and others connected to today’s war in Afghanistan. Click here to view more

Deploying to a Different Kind of Theater (Miller-McCune)

Remind.org — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:05:41 -0500

Derek Blumke stumbled upon an odd souvenir in an Afghan bazaar when he was serving in the country with the Air Force during the first years of the U.S. war there.

“It’s a British 1842 bayonet, and I’m buying it from a local in Afghanistan,” he recalled. “Why wouldn’t you buy that?”

On novelty alone, the find was priceless. Blumke had no sense at the time, though, of its context — what the thing was even doing there. He went into Afghanistan, like most soldiers in America’s nine-year conflict, with little sense of the local culture and language, let alone its centuries-old history of invasion and occupation by every army from Genghis Kahn’s to the Brits and Soviets.

Now that history seems more relevant by the day. In acknowledging that, the Department of Defense tried an unusual educational tactic this week. It sent soldiers, veterans and senior officials to the theater.

Last year, Britain’s Tricycle Theater toured the states with a highly acclaimed 7.5-hour cycle of 12 one-act plays — designed, for maximum effect, to be viewed in a single day — depicting the history of Afghanistan from 1842 through the present. The Pentagon, alongside a couple of nonprofits, brought the play, The Great Game, back to Washington this week for a two-day private rerun in hopes that the experience could help contextualize the war for soldiers fighting it, while better informing policymakers and the civilians who welcome soldiers home. Idea Lobby

THE IDEA LOBBY Miller-McCune's Washington correspondent Emily Badger follows the ideas informing, explaining and influencing government, from the local think tank circuit to academic research that shapes D.C. policy from afar.

“Theater has, over the centuries, always had the ability to deal simultaneously with the personal, the private, and also the public and the social,” said Simon Gammell, West Coast director of the British Council, the U.K. embassy’s cultural soft-power arm, which helped sponsor the event. “A lot of Shakespeare’s plays were talking, more or less directly, about public policy at the time.”

That element of the theater may be long-running, but the Pentagon’s interest in the medium certainly is not. This week’s venture seems as notable for its creative premise — that the arts can inform war-fighters — as the DoD’s embrace of it. Gammell suspects defense leadership in the past might not have been open to such an experiment. Still, he doesn’t expect a regular theater-of-war series.

“It was a kind of grassroots thing, which wasn’t planned as ‘We’re going to make this piece in order to help policymakers think more deeply about Afghanistan,’” Gammell said of the playwrights and actors involved.

“It was more policymakers responding to something that was happening for artistic reasons. With art, if policymakers got into the thing saying ‘What we need is to start commissioning works of art to tell us about this stuff,’ I think they would have a very small chance of being successful. But what I do find encouraging, in [the U.S. and U.K.], is that policymakers and leaders around the military and defense are open to different ways of thinking and different ways of looking at problems. And that may not have been the case a few years back.”

The Bob Woodruff Foundation, created by broadcast journalist Bob Woodruff and his family after he was seriously injured covering the Iraq war, sponsored the performance as well. The organization focuses on reintegrating service members with the “hidden injuries” particular to America’s current wars — traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. It viewed the play as an opportunity to educate not only soldiers headed to Afghanistan, but the also civilians who often don’t know how to receive them once they come home. Click here to view more

Helping Soldiers Trade Their Swords for Plows (The New York Times)

Remind.org — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:24:55 -0500

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. — On an organic farm here in avocado country, a group of young Marines, veterans and Army reservists listened intently to an old hand from the front lines.

“Think of it in military terms,” he told the young recruits, some just back from Iraq or Afghanistan. “It’s a matter of survival, an uphill battle. You have to think everything is against you and hope to stay alive.”

The battle in question was not the typical ground assault, but organic farming — how to identify beneficial insects, for instance, or to prevent stray frogs from clogging an irrigation system. It was Day 2 of a novel boot camp for veterans and active-duty military personnel, including Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton, who might be interested in new careers as farmers.

“In the military, grunts are the guys who get dirty, do the work and are generally underappreciated,” said Colin Archipley, a decorated Marine Corps infantry sergeant turned organic farmer, who developed the program with his wife, Karen, after his three tours in Iraq. “I think farmers are the same.”

At their farm, called Archi’s Acres, the sound of crickets and croaking frogs communes with the drone of choppers. The syllabus, approved by Camp Pendleton’s transition assistance program, includes hands-on planting and irrigating, lectures about “high-value niche markets” and production of a business plan that is assessed by food professionals and business professors.

Along with Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots, a new program for veterans at the University of Nebraska’s College of Technical Agriculture, and farming fellowships for wounded soldiers, the six-week course offered here is part of a nascent “veteran-centric” farming movement. Its goal is to bring the energy of young soldiers re-entering civilian life to the aging farm population of rural America. Half of all farmers are likely to retire in the next decade, according to the Agriculture Department. Click here to view more

Organic farmers look to returning vets to grow their future (MercuryNews.com)

Remind.org — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:03:15 -0500

PACIFICA - When organic farmer Michael O'Gorman read in 2006 that a disproportionate number of military veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan came from America's rural communities, it was a call to action.

A country boy himself, he arranged a meeting with five other California farmers, and together they hatched a plan to recruit returning veterans for careers in the organic farming industry. Thus began the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, now based in Davis, an organization as committed to supporting the troops as they are to growing a new green economy. The coalition is hosting a seminar at the Ecological Farming Conference this week in Pacific Grove.

Three veterans who have become integral to the coalition's mission will speak at the seminar: Colin Archipley, a Marine Corps veteran of the war in Iraq who now runs the Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training program from his farm in San Diego County; Navy veteran Jenn Fusaro a graduate student from Humboldt State University; and Matt McCue, an Army combat veteran of Iraq who now operates a successful Community Supported Agriculture farm in Fairfield.

Aaron Newsome of Santa Cruz, 27, is a Marine Corps veteran of Afghanistan partnering with the coalition to train for a career in organic farming. He's currently taking classes at Cabrillo College and working toward a degree in horticulture. Newsome was recruited at one of the coalition's educational retreats held near Santa Cruz last year.

Recruiting Advertisement veterans was a natural solution to a chronic problem, according to O'Gorman. He says there aren't enough young farmers coming into the business to make up for the generation that will soon be retiring. And with the current economic slump, returning veterans are challenged to find meaningful employment in the civilian sector.

"The military is not for the faint of heart, and neither is farming," says O'Gorman.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is supporting the coalition's efforts with a grant to fund a nationwide series of educational seminars to educate veterans about all of the resources available that can help them purchase land, get training, and overcome their disabilities.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation, started by the ABC News reporter who was seriously injured while embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, is also lending a hand. The foundation has recently announced that it will provide 10 $5,000 fellowships to the Farmer-Veteran Coalition to assist veterans who need to buy equipment or pay for training needed to launch their new career.

"Establishing your own farm can be a lengthy endeavour," said Michael Porter, director of Career Development at the Farmer-Veteran Coalition. "We are now working with about a dozen veterans who are in various planning stages getting ready to launch their own business," Porter said. "And we have at least 80 veterans who we consider to be active in the program."

O'Gorman, the coalition's founder, said their program is different than other veteran support organizations, "Because we need them as much as they need us." click here to view more

Play about Afghan conflicts gets encore performance with Pentagon blessing (The Washington Post)

Remind.org — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:00:21 -0500

It's not every day that the artistic director of a theater company is invited to a high-level meeting at the Pentagon. On this occasion, though, the objectives of a small British troupe and the world's mightiest war machine were remarkably in sync: Both wanted members of the U.S. armed forces to be immersed in a day of plays, to experience through the artifice of the stage some of the harsh truths about fighting a war in a forbidding Asian country.

That breakfast get-together in October has resulted in one of the more extraordinary theater bookings Washington has seen: the brief return here next month of "The Great Game: Afghanistan," Tricycle Theatre's three-part, 71/2-hour survey of foreign intervention over the centuries in Afghanistan. The dozen playlets that form the production are a chronicle of the conflicts waged by superpowers in Afghanistan from 1842 to the present. What makes it unique is that the day-long special performances Feb. 10 and 11 will be offered free to an audience consisting entirely of soldiers, wounded veterans and government officials, all with some urgent connection to the war.

"All of the actors are very committed, and everyone leapt at the chance to do this," says Nicolas Kent, who runs the London-based company. "In the theater, it's wonderful when you get to do something that interests or influences the policymakers."

"The Great Game" was presented for two weeks in September at the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Sidney Harman Hall on F Street NW, and subsequently toured several American cities. Bringing the elaborate show back to the United States - it consists of 12 original half-hour plays dealing in chronological order with the British, Russian and American invasions of the south-central Asian country - would require a lot of planning and about $175,000.

But because the Pentagon did not want to use taxpayer money for the event, those involved in the negotiations say, other means had to be devised to finance it. That's when the Bob Woodruff Foundation stepped in. The organization, established by the ABC newsman, who was severely injured while covering the war in Iraq, seeks to advocate for wounded and returning soldiers. It contributed $100,000 for the remounting in Washington, and the rest was raised from other private and nonprofit sources.

"The production really strikes at the heart of what our service members are facing every day in Afghanistan," says Rene Bardorf, the foundation's executive director. The thinking was, she adds, "that if you better understand the cultural influences in Afghanistan, we'll be better able to support our warriors who are now returning."

Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Perry, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says interest in the production was sparked by several officers, including Brig. Gen. John Nicholson, who attended "The Great Game" in September. "They came back and talked it up," Perry says. "They were struck by the play and felt it could serve as a learning tool for anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of Afghanistan."

Although defense officials at first wanted the production to be staged at the Pentagon, Kent says the massive building's "theater" is in actuality an unsuitable lecture hall in a subbasement. "To get all the scenery in and all the actors in would be pretty much a nightmare," he explains. As a result, the Shakespeare Theatre Company agreed to donate Harman Hall for the two additional performances.

Chris Jennings, the Shakespeare's managing director, says the troupe had to juggle its schedule slightly to accommodate Tricycle's return, but that the effort was given high priority. "The goal with theater always is to find the people the work speaks most to," he says. "It's a home run to have the direct connection of that community and this piece of work."

It's unusual for the military to so wholeheartedly embrace a piece of theater. But some of those working to include the armed forces more actively in the arts say the response reflects a more enlightened kind of thinking in the Pentagon and some of its allies about how to engage the public and sensitize service men and women to the complexities of world history and culture.

"For me, it's a hallmark of the sophistication of the military leadership these days," says Simon Gammell, who served as a broker of sorts for the remount and also heads up arts initiatives in the United States for the British Council, a global nonprofit organization that promotes British educational and artistic endeavors. "The reason that theater existed in Western society is because it's a place for the community to come together and talk about big things."

Bryan Doerries has found a similarly evolving spirit in his dealings with the Defense Department, through which he has a contract to stage excerpts of Greek plays on military bases in the United States and overseas. His Theater of War project, which started in 2008, includes readings of Sophocles' "Ajax" and "Philoctetes," ancient dramas that often set off deeply emotional reactions in his audiences of soldiers and family members, many of whom have little or no prior knowledge of classical theater. Each of the readings is augmented by a forum that encourages audience members to talk about their responses.

"It is actually not that special that we find the military open to innovative and groundbreaking approaches, whether it's in the area of public health, or technology," says Doerries, a translator and director by training. In this case, he adds, "the question is how do we re-humanize those who have lost touch with their humanity. And theater is obviously an answer."

Theater of War is also presenting its work in theaters, and the response there has been powerful, too. An evening at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in September that brought together a civilian and military audience was so successful that it is being repeated on Feb. 22. "It was just devastating," says Miriam Weisfeld, Woolly's director of artistic development. "It really taught us a lot about who our neighbors are."

The return of "The Great Game" was in part inspired by a successful presentation of the show last summer to the British military, an event that was publicly praised by a top British official, Gen. David Richards. According to Kent and others, Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, after hearing favorable reports about the show, asked through the office of Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), for a video of the production. (Through a spokesman, Harman declined to comment.)

Tricycle has developed a special affinity for theater of up-to-the-minute topicality: Its play, "Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom," was based on letters, recorded testimony and other documents relating to Guantanamo Bay detainees and was produced locally in 2005 by Studio Theatre. That piece took a far more ideological approach than does "The Great Game," whose playlets, by mostly British and American writers, explore the frustrated effort by world powers to exert lasting military control in Afghanistan. While many of the pieces deal with diplomacy and warfare, others depict the lives of Afghan leaders and ordinary citizens.

"Quite a lot of our work has had an effect on national policy," Kent says, adding that he has been gratified by the openness of the Pentagon.

"I think that why they've responded is because a lot of very young people are going to a completely new culture in Afghanistan, a very tribal nation, and they know very little about the history," Kent says. "Therefore, this is a very good tool for that experience."

"The Great Game" is also being used, apparently, to help those who've been in combat process what they've been through. Accommodations are being made in Harman Hall to handle more than the normally expected number of disabled theatergoers.

"We've talked a lot about that with the Department of Defense. We're going to extend invitations to those hospitalized and receiving outpatient treatment at Walter Reed," the Woodruff Foundation's Bardorf says, referring to those recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. "For the young warrior, certain parts of the play would make very good sense." Click here to be linked to the article

Photo Coverage: Stand Up For Heros Event at the Beacon Theatre in New York

Remind.org — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:06:16 -0400

Click Here to view Red Carpet Photos from our 4th Annual Stand Up for Heroes Event in New York City

Lee Woodruff talks about Stand Up for Heroes

Remind.org — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:00:01 -0400

Click here to watch Lee Woodruff's interview on MyFoxNY.com

Bob Woodruff and our special guests on GMA

Remind.org — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:09:22 -0400

Click here to watch Bob Woodruff and our wounded warrior guests and their families at Good Morning America on November 4, 2010

Stand-Up for Heroes Benefit to be Transmitted Exclusively to U.S. Military Troops at Home and Abroad

Remind.org — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:03:21 -0400

Stand-Up for Heroes Benefit to be Transmitted Exclusively to U.S. Military Troops at Home and Abroad (The Sacramento Bee)

Jon Stewart-Hosted Event to Feature Performances By Jerry Seinfeld, Tony Bennett, Joel McHale, Bruce Springsteen and More By The Bob Woodruff Foundation; The New York Comedy Festival

NEW YORK, Oct. 29 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The Bob Woodruff Foundation and The New York Comedy Festival today announced the Stand-Up for Heroes benefit will be transmitted to U.S. military troops on bases in Afghanistan and Iraq and injured service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, where it will be seen live.

The official kick off of the New York Comedy Festival and part of the Bob Woodruff Foundation's nationally recognized public education movement, Stand-Up for Heroes takes place Wednesday, November 3rd at 8 p.m. at the Beacon Theatre in New York. Jon Stewart will host the event, with special performances by other music and comedy icons, including Jerry Seinfeld, Tony Bennett, and Bruce Springsteen. Joining them will be Joel McHale, Bill Burr, the 4Troops, and the Max Weinberg Big Band. Presented by The Paul E. Singer Foundation and GFI Group, Inc., Stand-Up brings together leaders from business, entertainment and philanthropy to raise funds to help injured service members and their families as they return to their communities.

The broadcast to the troops, a first for the event, will be made possible with the help of the United States Army, Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) and ABC News, reaching hundreds of thousands of service members and support personnel serving at six bases in Iraq (Baghdad and Balad) and Afghanistan (Kabul, Kandahar, Camp Leatherneck, and Bagram). Stand-Up for Heroes will also be transmitted live via satellite to the nearly hundreds of service members recovering or rehabilitating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

"Laughter and music can be very therapeutic. For our service members it's an escape from the stress and fear they can experience on the battlefield or during their recovery," said Bob Woodruff, The Foundation's co-founder. In the wake of the injury that changed my life, my family and I turned to the only first aid we knew: laughter. I don't think there could be anything better than giving these brave men and women a few hours of comedy and great music," he added.

"Service members and their families — especially those with hidden and physical injuries of war — face mounting challenges. By ensuring they have successful futures, we honor the sacrifices they have made," said Rene Bardorf, Executive Director, Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Since its founding, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has invested over $6 million, reaching more than 500,000 service members, support personnel, veterans and their families nationwide. Funds raised at Stand-Up for Heroes will be quickly deployed to programs that connect injured troops to the help they need — from physical rehabilitation and counseling, to education, employment and financial assistance, to help with larger issues like homelessness and suicide.

Caroline Hirsch, founder of the New York Comedy Festival and owner of Carolines on Broadway, added: "We're delighted we can share this special night with our troops. With the support of our talented comedians and performers, we hope to continue raising awareness and funds for those who are injured as well as for their families."

For the fourth consecutive year, all living presidents — President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, President William J. Clinton, President George H. W. Bush, and President James E. Carter — comprise the Stand-Up for Heroes Presidential Committee; executives of the major television network join as co-chairs.

"These leaders share our belief that it's about the warrior, not the war. They're standing up for those who have stood so bravely for us," Lee Woodruff, co-founder, said.

Tickets to Stand-Up for Heroes can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at www.ReMIND.org.

ABOUT THE BOB WOODRUFF FOUNDATION:

The Bob Woodruff Foundation provides resources and support to service members, veterans and their families to successfully reintegrate into their communities so they may thrive physically, psychologically, socially and economically. Through a public education movement called ReMIND.org, the Bob Woodruff Foundation helps educate the public about the needs of service members returning from war — especially the 1 in 5 service members who have sustained hidden injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injury and Combat Stress, including Post Traumatic Stress, Depression and Anxiety — and empowers communities nationwide to take action. Across the country, the Bob Woodruff Foundation collaborates with other organizations and experts to identify and solve issues related to the return of service members from combat to civilian life and invests in programs that connect our troops to the support they need on the home front.

Stand Up for Heroes is presented by major sponsors The Paul E. Singer Foundation and GFI Group, Inc. Other sponsors include: Women's Day Brand Group, Disney-ABC Television Group, art of grace, Brown-Forman, Purdue Pharma, L.P., Force Protection Industries, Inc., PepsiCo, NBC Universal, Comedy Central, Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, Thomson Reuters, Interbrand, CNN, A&E Television Networks, and HBO.

For more information about the Bob Woodruff Foundation, visit www.ReMIND.org

ABOUT THE NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL:

The New York Comedy Festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway and United Entertainment Group in association with Comedy Central. The festival has featured some of the country's top comedians, including Bill Maher, Tracy Morgan, Dane Cook, Sarah Silverman, Artie Lange, Katt Williams, Steven Wright, Denis Leary, and Joy Behar, to name a few. In 2007, the festival launched the Stand Up for Heroes event to benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

New York Comedy Festival media sponsors are Time Out New York and the New York Post. Jameson…Taste Above All Else is the official Whiskey, B.R. Guest is a signature partner, Travelocity is the official travel sponsor of the 2010 New York Comedy Festival, and Energizer and Buick Regal are supporting sponsors.

For more information visit www.nycomedyfestival.com.

SOURCE The Bob Woodruff Foundation; The New York Comedy Festival

Veterans with brain injuries join fight to save social service agency: (Chicago Tribune)

Remind.org — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:15:02 -0400

Greg Rodriguez was once a strong young Marine who dreamed of becoming a drill sergeant. But that was before a pickup truck slammed into his car, causing brain damage that ended his military career and afflicts him to this day.

He is only 26, but walks with the stiff shuffle of an old man. He forgets things easily. His speech is muddled and difficult to understand.

But when he took the floor recently at Chicago's Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse, a day center for people who have suffered similar damage, he stood a little straighter, spoke a little louder, as the Marine Corps in him burst to the surface. [click here to view] (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northnorthwest/ct-met-brain-injuries-20100318,0,2203015.story)

Caregiving strains families of veterans with severe injuries: (USA Today)

Remind.org — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:14:34 -0400

Kevin Kammerdiener's mother, Leslie, takes care of his every need, which would be fine if he were in preschool.

The thing is, "Kamm" is 21. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, shattered bones and burns on 25% of his body in Afghanistan in May 2008, which left him in a wheelchair, unable to speak and in chronic pain. click here to view

Team of wounded vets to compete in Disney half marathon:(WDBO Local News)

Remind.org — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:07:13 -0500

Dustin Tuller, pictured at right, is one of the 17 vets who will be participating in the race as part of the Achilles Team of Wounded Veterans. The team provides injured service men and women the opportunity to train and compete in mainstream races across the country.click here to view

BWF advisor, Dr. William Winkenwerder nominated for 50 Most Powerful Physician Leaders in Healthcare

Remind.org — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:34:16 -0500

Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Department of Defense Chairman, The Winkenwerder Company LLC [click here to vote by Feb 5, 2010] (http://www.modernphysician.com/section/mp50mostpowerful)

Adrian College Receives Gift From The Bob Woodruff Foundation

Remind.org — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:46:37 -0500

ADRIAN, Mich. - Adrian College is pleased to announce that the Bob Woodruff Foundation has approved a grant for $66,600 to fund 50% of the Operation Education Scholarship at the College.

Operation Education offers a disabled American veteran, who was injured during combat in Afghanistan or Iraq post Sept. 11, 2001, a full scholarship toward earning his or her college degree each academic year. The grant from the Foundation is designated solely to pay the expenses related to tuition, room and board, fees and veteran services for three Operation Education students.click here to view

STATEMENT OF DAVID WOODRUFF CO-FOUNDER, BOB WOODRUFF FOUNDATION BEFORE THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE HEALTH AND VETERANS’ AFFAIRS COMMITTEES

Remind.org — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:47:07 -0500

13 JANUARY 2010

Chairman Alquist and distinguished members of the Senate Health and Veterans’ Affairs Committees; on behalf of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, I want to thank you for your continued support of injured service members, veterans, and their families.  With over three million veterans living in the state of California, your State represents the largest veteran population in America. You are keenly aware of the challenges that our nation’s service members, veterans and their families face.  It is an honor to speak with you today.

On January 29, 2006, my brother, ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, was severely injured in Iraq when his convoy was struck by a roadside bomb. On that day our entire family was thrust into an unfamiliar world that has changed all of us forever.
After five weeks in a medically induced coma at the National Naval Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland, Bob finally awoke on March 6, 2006. For Bob and our service members injured in this war, Bethesda’s state-of-the-art care was only the beginning of a very long road to recovery. Over the last four years, Bob has made miraculous strides in that recovery with his “new normal” turning out better than nearly all had expected. In fact, today Bob is back at work reporting full-time throughout the world, and this summer he even returned to Iraq with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen. Bob was fortunate. He had a definitive diagnosis, access to state of the art rehabilitative care in close proximity to his home, unlimited access to cognitive testing and rehab, a commitment from his employer to do everything they could to retain him in his professional field, and a strong support network of family and friends to assist him through all phases of recovery and the transition back into his community. Bob was also blessed with the support, professionalism and high competency of military medicine without the overwhelming burden of navigating an unwieldy bureaucracy. Throughout Bob’s recovery, our family surrounded ourselves with service members who had sustained similar injuries. Through them our family has learned that Bob’s road to recovery was not riddled with the same administrative snares or limited treatment options that so many injured service members and their families endure, nor the difficulties reintegrating back into his community. Despite the challenges these families face each day, the bravery and steely resolve we have seen in the eyes of children, spouses, and parents who care for their injured service members each day have inspired us. Much has improved for our injured service members and their families, though much still needs to be done, especially after acute treatment is complete and our service members return to their communities.

I am not a veteran though over the last four years I have shared their pain and have been blessed to have met many of our wounded and their families. I share their love for our country - your love for our country - and, as a result, I try to understand their burdens. I see the pain of their sacrifices and I watch them as they weary from the enormity of their circumstances. As an American, I stand with pride, in awe at their accomplishments. I often wonder, even though they live in a resilient community of people with whom one another rally at times of stress, how they can keep up with this operational tempo. Our service members and their families continue to re-double their efforts, re-connect, prepare for the future and pace their marathon. They know their job is not done, that they still have a long and challenging journey ahead. My question is, as a government, are we doing all that we can to prevent, screen, diagnose and treat our injured? As civilians do we support them, empower them, ensure that they thrive in our communities when they return? Our veterans cannot manage this journey alone, sustain this pace and continue to thrive at home and abroad. They need us.

In Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Iraq (Operations Iraqi Freedom) our service members are engaged in asymmetrical warfare, a war with no “front” lines, where crude yet effective blast weaponry is used by insurgents to gain an advantage against US forces. IEDs are the signature weapon in these conflicts, and the combat circumstances create hypersensitivity and severe injuries in the “rear.” We recently witnessed this occur in Afghanistan when we lost seven CIA agents in a deadly bombing in the “rear.” The signature injuries of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are Traumatic Brain Injury and Combat Operational Stress (COS), which sometimes results in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. These less visible injuries are typically “hidden” from view.
While 1 in 50 service members in OEF/OIF have sustained physical combat injuries, 1 in 5 have sustained a hidden injury of war. They are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and the frequent over-lay of a TBI combined with PTSD makes diagnosis and treatment more difficult. Though there are efforts within the military to dispel stigmas, they are still prevalent in the military culture frequently delaying or preventing service members from seeking screenings and treatment. The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have not screened every returning veteran for TBI and COS, and there is no consensus from unit to unit on when to remove a service member from the “fight.”

Treatment for injured service members is often not executed close to the service member’s home of record. Suicides continue to increase in the Services, especially within the Army and Marine Corps, and tracking to ensure successful reintegration for service members and their families is inadequate. Moreover, as our service members return from combat to civilian life, these injuries create other complex problems such as substance abuse, divorce and homelessness. Veterans and their families who have not been properly screened, diagnosed and treated while in the service or who have been disciplined or discharged from service will constitute a large proportion of individuals needing State assistance.

As of January 5, 2010, 36,364 service members have been wounded in action and 5,301 killed in action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Advancements in combat medicine and training, improvements in body armor and vehicle armor, as well as detection devices, have increased the survival rate of a wounded service member to approximately 90%.

The burdens of responsibility to ensure that our service members, veterans, and their families have successful futures are shared by the federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector. The federal government alone is inadequate in addressing all of the needs of reintegrating service members, especially those with the hidden injuries of war.

We encourage the State of California to consider requiring that all California military service men and women returning from combat zones throughout the world be comprehensively assessed and treated for the cognitive, psychological, physical, social, and medical complications associated with the hidden injuries of war. That the State establish and fund a formal reintegration program at the State level to address the needs of injured service members, veterans, and their families to ensure successful futures and empower local communities to take action to assist. The program should specifically address the following issues: Housing, Education, Employment, Healthcare, and Recreation/Socialization.

Even though Bob’s career as a journalist is very different from that of a young service member, as a family we feel a special connection to those who have volunteered to serve and have been injured in the line of duty.  In gratitude for the care Bob received and for the service of our men and women in uniform, we established the Bob Woodruff Foundation – a national nonprofit that helps ensure our nation’s service members return to a home front ready to support them.   We do this in three key ways:

Through a movement called Remind.org — we help educate the public about the needs of service members returning from war… and our nation’s greater responsibility to ensure our heroes and their families receive the support necessary to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
We collaborate with other experts and organizations, at the federal state and local level, to identify and solve issues related to the return of service members from combat to civilian life.
We invest in national and community-based programs that connect our troops to the help they need — from individual needs like physical accommodations, medical care and counseling, to larger social issues like homelessness and suicide.

Together with our partners, supporters, and communities, we are helping heal the physical and psychological wounds of war. The Bob Woodruff Foundation has spent nearly $4.5 million on programs, reaching more than 500,000 service members, support personnel, veterans and their families nationwide.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation is dedicated to collaborating with lawmakers, the Departments of Defense and Veteran’s Affairs, and private industry to develop excellence in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, support and resources for our injured service members. By creating awareness and educating our nation on the hidden injuries of war, and helping individual injured service members and their families with opportunities as they navigate their own journey, we hope to make certain all of our injured receive the best treatment available and the best chance of resuming their lives as successful honored members of their communities. Thank you.

David Woodruff, Co-Founder of Bob Woodruff Foundation, Testifies Before California State Senate Health Committee: (PR Newswire)

Remind.org — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:40:07 -0500

Brother of ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff Details Struggles of Veterans Returning From Deployment With Hidden Injuries, Asks Committees, "Are We Doing All That We Can?"

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- David Woodruff, co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation and brother of ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, who was severely injured by a roadside bomb while reporting from Iraq, testified today before California's State Senate Health Committee.

In a moving tribute to the incredible hardships and sacrifices faced by service members and their families, Woodruff recounted his own family's struggles during his brother's long and painstaking recovery from the traumatic brain injuries he sustained in Iraq. Woodruff also plainly detailed the advantages afforded his brother throughout his recovery, contrasting the reality for many injured veterans. It is a discrepancy that inspired the founding of the Bob Woodruff Foundation and its initiative ReMIND.org, dedicated to raising awareness of the emotional and psychological pain, post-traumatic stress and brain injuries suffered by service members in combat. These devastating, complicated and hidden injuries often go unnoticed or untreated, leaving returning service members to struggle alone with the effects and symptoms.click here to view

1/12 – Bob Woodruff Foundation Helps SVA Celebrate 2nd Anniversary with Grant to Assist Student Veterans

Remind.org — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:39:02 -0500

Student Veterans of America Announces 2nd Anniversary and Reception of Grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation

WASHINGTON, DC – Student Veterans of America proudly announces its 2nd anniversary, its growth to 246 chapters in only two years and the beginning of its partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation to assist veterans succeed in attaining a college degree. [click here to view] (http://studentveterans.org/news/?p=382)

Philosophy Remind u.s. BWF product.

Remind.org — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:47:37 -0500

This makes a great gift![click here to view] (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34498692#34498692)

BWF's CFO is CFO of the Year! (Association Bisnow)

Remind.org — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:37:29 -0500

Yesterday, we attended The Oscars for accountants—the annual CFO of the Year Awards. The luncheon was held on Day 2 of the Greater Washington Society of CPAs' Not for Profit Organization Symposium at the Mayflower. So, who are the Kate Winslets and Sean Penns of the financial non-profit world?

Bob Woodruff Foundation's Alexis George took the Rising Star award. (There’s Bob, former ABC World News anchor, off to the left.)This starlet joined the foundation months after its creation and developed its budgets and financial reporting system, while managing $6M in contribution and grant revenue. Alexis oversaw distribution of $3.4M in spending and has managed to keep administrative expenses to 7%. In congratulating Alexis, Bob said, "If you don't mind, I'd like you to run for President of the United States." [click here to view] (http://www.bisnow.com/washington_dc_trade_association_news_story.php?p=6429)

PayPal Quarterly Non-Profit Newsletter

Remind.org — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:22:50 -0500

Instead of asking for donors to dig deep into their pockets, Tweet to ReMIND asked for contributions of just $11.11, the date of Veteran's Day this year. For similar initiatives, the organization has asked people to donate as little as $1.25. While the amounts individuals donate may be modest, Bardorf's expectations for the Tweet to ReMIND campaign weren't. "Our goal was to raise $1.9 million during Veteran's Day," she says. "We want to get into the hearts and minds of people who can't make big donations – every dollar really does count. click here to view

Brian Williams to host 'Stand Up for Heroes'

Remind.org — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:04:21 -0400

Third annual benefit to be held November 4 By Georg Szalai Oct 7, 2009, 10:01 AM ET

NEW YORK -- The Bob Woodruff Foundation and The New York Comedy Festival named Brian Williams as the host for the third annual "Stand Up for Heroes" benefit this November.

Williams will introduce performances by such stars as Louis C.K., Stephen Colbert, Lisa Lampanelli, John Ondrasik, Bruce Springsteen and surprise guests at Town Hall on Nov. 4.

As in past years, all living presidents have officially expressed their support to the "Stand Up for Heroes" event, meaning President Obama has joined the Presidential Committee for this year's benefit.

Among major entertainment industry executives serving as co-chairs are CNN's Jon Klein, CBS's Sean McManus, ABC's Anne Sweeney and David Westin, HBO's Richard Plepler and NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker. [click here to view more] (http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/events/brian_williams_hosting_stand_up_for_heroes_event_139491.asp?c=rss)

Plastic surgeons offer help to veterans (Union-Tribune)

Remind.org — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:40:22 -0400

SAN DIEGO — A major group of plastic surgeons meeting in San Diego launched a national program yesterday to give free consultations and low-cost surgeries to veterans who suffered facial injuries in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Doctors attending the academy's conference at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel heard from Bob Woodruff, an ABC News reporter who was nearly killed on Jan. 29, 2006, in Iraq, when shrapnel and rocks from a roadside bomb tore through the left side of his skull and face. [click here to view] (http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/02/plastic-surgeons-offer-help-veterans/?metro&zIndex=175914)

Achilles-One of BWF's grantees in the Montreal Marathon

Remind.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:45:46 -0400

Along the way, Salas also spoke to athletes who are veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Joe Beimfohr fought in the Iraq war and became a double amputee after an explosion in July 2005.

He said disabled veterans are thankful for the opportunity to participate in marathons.

"It's really a confidence builder for the guys who are going through therapy," he said. click here to view

Watch Executive Director of BWF, Rene Bardorf as she talks about Social Media for Non-Profits

Remind.org — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:24:29 -0400

User name: Comcast Password: seminar click here to view

Nancy Loo Skydives With Soldiers for a Good Cause (myFOX Chicago)

Remind.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:25:25 -0400

Loo Dedicated Her Jump to Remind.org

The Chicago Air and Water Show is set to wow the crowds along the lakefront this weekend. And once again, it will feature the Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team. [click here to view] (http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/loo_skydive)

BWF's Grantee Steven Schulz on the road to recovery with Horse for Heroes(click2houston.com)

Remind.org — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:23:43 -0400

click here to view

ABC's Bob Woodruff reports:

Remind.org — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:53:09 -0400

Today I have traveled back to Iraq for the first time since I was injured with my cameraman, Doug Vogt, three years ago. It has not been an easy decision to make this trip. I have deliberated with my family, my colleagues at ABC News and the US Military, with whom I am traveling. [click here to view] (http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2009/07/bob-woodruff-why-ive-gone-back-to-iraq.html)

Check out PARADE Magazine this Sunday!

Remind.org — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:39:05 -0400

This Sunday, check out PARADE magazine in your local newspaper. It's an article Lee Woodruff wrote about cognitive rehabilitation and brain injury. You might see someone you know on the cover.

BWF Charitable and Individual Grantees on NBC Nightly News

Remind.org — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:08:32 -0400

Veterans Airlift Command Staff Sergeant Jose Pequeno

click here to view video

Text is below

NBC June 22, 2009 What Works NBC Nightly News, 7:00 PM

BRIAN WILLIAMS: We’re back now with our “What Works” segment. Tonight it’s all about helping some folks who have given a lot to all of us, the men and women of the U.S. armed forces, who, some of them have traveled the world to serve their country. For those who come home wounded from this nation’s conflicts, it’s often not easy to get around, and our own Natalie Morales has the story of one man who decided to do something about that.

NATALIE MORALES: Captain Nathan Walden lost his leg to an IED in Baghdad two years ago. He’s been recovering at Walter Reed ever since. His spirits are high because he’s headed home to South Carolina for a short visit.

STEPHANIE GREENBERG: Are your parents meeting you, is that it?

MORALES: Husband and wife pilots Stephanie and Irwin Greenberg, are volunteering their skills and their plane to get him there. The three were brought together by Walt Fricke. Wounded in Vietnam, he spent six months recovering in a hospital more than 600 miles away from his family.

WALT FRICKE: I wasn’t doing well, quite frankly, until my family gathered the resources to come and see me.

MORALES: Wanting to make things easier for this generation of wounded warriors, Fricke started the Veterans Airlift Command.

FRICKE: If they the buy the fuel, it’s their aircraft, they’re donating their time and aircraft for the purpose of the flight.

MORALES: Fricke now has 1,000 volunteer pilots who have flown more than 720,000 miles.

S. GREENBERG: You’re so excited that you get to do something finally for somebody else who’s really sacrificed way more than we ever can imagine.

CPT. NATHAN WALDEN: Which leg. I mean she –

MORALES: A win for Captain Walden, too, able to skip the cost and time-consuming process of traveling with a prosthetic leg.

WALDEN: You’re going to have to get run through, you know, various screenings, x-rays, the bomb swipes, the whole spiel.

MORALES: And it’s more than a matter of convenience. Some of the most severely injured would never be able to fly commercially. The Veterans Airlift Command is able to take care of some of their special needs. Like the flight bringing Staff Sergeant Jose Pequeno and his family to a ceremony honoring him in Washington, D.C. One of the most traumatically injured survivors, Pequeno lost almost half of the left side of his brain to a grenade explosion in Ramadi three years ago.

NELDA BAGLEY [Jose’s Mother]: He got the fire department to come and help get Jose in the plane. He found a way to get the wheelchair in the back of the plane. It was amazing.

MORALES: Pequeno is unable to speak, but his mother says she could see her son’s joy as they took off. BAGLEY: I (fully ?) believe that at that time my son felt a freedom that he hasn’t had for about three years now or more.

MORALES: A moment in time she says she will never forget. And neither will this father forget this happy homecoming thanks to the Veterans Airlift Command. Natalie Morales, NBC News, Washington, D.C.

WILLIAMS: We can never do enough for them

The importance of remembering (Intelligent Dialogue)

Remind.org — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:10:54 -0400

Anybody I’m connected with on Twitter or Facebook has surely noticed me giving lots of character-love to the troops-supporting fundraiser Tweet to ReMIND, which kicked off Memorial Day weekend and hits fever pitch as we approach the Fourth of July Weekend. It’s a vital project that’s harnessing social media to give back to the men and women who have risked their lives serving in Iraq and Afghanistan—many of whom are now coming home with physical and psychological injuries none of us can see. [click here to view] (http://pnintelligentdialogue.com/archives/734)

Sox and charities: The May edition (Fenway West)

Remind.org — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:05:56 -0400

Yes, I know June is almost over...but I never reported about the donations for the May Sox wins. Since Memorial Day was in the month of May, I wanted to make the donation that in some way honored the troops. There are so many organizations out there that do wonderful things for the men and women in service...but I was able to narrow it down to one. [click here to view] (http://www.fenwaywest.com/2009/06/sox-and-charities-may-edition.html)

Celebrity Recovery (PsychCentral)

Remind.org — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:46:24 -0400

Lee Woodruff, author and contributing editor at Good Morning America, speaks about her experience with depression and anxiety after her husband Bob Woodruff acquired a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Iraq. The couple received a McLean Award for “…exceptional courage facing psychological challenges after a traumatic brain injury, for their efforts to further public understanding of brain illness, and for fighting to reduce the stigma of mental illness.” [click here to view] (http://blogs.psychcentral.com/channeln/2009/06/celebrity-recovery.html)

Event free for military families(Houston Chronicle)

Remind.org — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:09:45 -0400

From a press release:

Earlier this month, Congress passed a bipartisan resolution designating 2009 the "Year of the Military Family" nationwide. In recognition of local military family members, Lee Woodruff, the New York Times best-selling author, family life contributor to ABC's "Good Morning America" and wife of gravely injured ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff, will share her insights on "Our Unsung Heroes: Military Families and Caregivers" on Wednesday, June 17, from 7-8 p.m. at Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St., Houston 77002. A book-signing session will follow.

Following her memoir of healing In an Instant, coauthored with her husband, Lee recently published Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress for Random House. Lee and Bob have also established the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury to raise money to assist members of the military with cognitive rehabilitation and other care needs following traumatic brain injury suffered in service to their country.

The evening with Lee Woodruff is free and open to all military family members and uniformed service retirees from throughout southeast Texas. To RSVP, call the US Family Health Plan, which delivers Department of Defense-sponsored healthcare benefits to local military families through CHRISTUS Health in Houston, toll-free at 1-888-780-1943 by Tuesday, June 16 at 5 p.m.

More than 12,000 military family members in this area receive their healthcare benefits through the US Family Health Plan network, which includes more than 800 physicians. The health plan recently added The Methodist Hospital and North Cypress Medical Center to its roster of participating hospitals, increasing local military families' access to convenient, quality healthcare services.

Perfectly Imperfect: Up close with Lee Woodruff (LiveWellEveryDay-radio-WD)

Remind.org — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:35:59 -0400

06/15/09 at 12:00pm Jane will be talking with Lee Woodruff author of "Perfectly Imperfect", and lifestyle and family contributor to Good Morning America. Lee will share an intimate look into the imperfections of family life as she shares how she balances being wife to ABC journalist Bob Woodruff, mother, daughter, and friend. We will also discuss the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Remind.org, and how you can get involved to help our Service men and women.

2009 Building Bridges Gala (Manhattan Society)

Remind.org — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:42:26 -0400

MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF New York City (MHA of NYC): 2009 Building Bridges Gala. The Mental Health Association of NYC honored Lee Woodruff and Bob Woodruff at their 2009 Building Bridges Gala on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Guastavino’s, 409 East 59th Street (between First and York Avenues), New York City, NY. [click here to view] (http://manhattan.smugmug.com/gallery/8427031_wResc#553646432_FqvwP)

Using Twitter to Do Good -How a nonprofit is leveraging social media to raise money(AdWeek)

Remind.org — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:54:30 -0400

Using Twitter to Do Good -How a nonprofit is leveraging social media to raise money AdWeek May 31, 2009 By Eleftheria Parpis

The Bob Woodruff Foundation, a nonprofit supporting wounded soldiers that had raised money and awareness mainly through an annual comedy event, has a new -- and ambitious -- goal: To raise $1.65 million, or $1 for every American soldier who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq since 9/11 through a Twitter campaign.

To do so, the foundation is joining an increasing number of brands -- including Target and Kraft -- which are using social media to raise money.

When the effort launched in early May, the plan was to focus on Twitter with a Memorial Day weekend initiative called "TweetToRemind." (The name is a play on the foundation's "ReMind" branding campaign that launched in November 2008 with pro-bono help from JWT's Atlanta office.) As the holiday approached, however, it became clear that other platforms would be needed-and the Memorial Day weekend deadline was extended to July 4.

Twitter "is an awesome way to get the impulsive donor and the repeat small donor," says Marian Salzman, partner and CMO of Porter Novelli, who was working at JWT when she introduced agency CEO Bob Jeffrey to Bob and Lee Woodruff. "It's also a terrific tool for education and message reinforcement. [But] we didn't get some of our folks on Twitter just because of demographics -- [they were] too young [teens] and too old [boomers]. ... We moved across platforms."

Lee Woodruff, co-founder of the foundation with her husband Bob, the ABC anchor and journalist who suffered a near-fatal brain injury while covering the war in Iraq, says of the Twitter initiative, "[President] Obama [and his online campaign] ... changed the game. We thought, 'Why not bring that to fundraising ... make it also something younger folks can get their arms around?'" But while Twitter is "a hot medium," she adds, she found that many of the people she interacted with on her book tours and at foundation events were not Twitter users. "We still needed to use regular media, Facebook, YouTube, the Web site and e-mail. We needed to round it out," she says.

To help engage teens, two of the Woodruff's four children, Mack, 17, and Cathryn, 15, led a group of 525 teens called the Tweet Team. Each member pledged $5.25 and worked to raise $100 over the weekend by recruiting 100 of their friends. They also sent at least one tweet each day to ensure that wounded veterans would remain in Americans' thoughts.

Over the holiday the organization raised more than $75,000, with $45,000 coming from the TweetToRemind site and $30,000 from ReMind.org. Three days after Memorial Day, the donations reached over $100,000.

With two "Stand Up for Heroes" comedy fundraisers behind them, the foundation wanted to find a way to extend awareness beyond Veteran's Day, around the time when the yearly benefit is held.

So the foundation and its communications team -- including JWT and Porter Novelli -- turned to social media. The "ReMind" branding campaign includes a web site, print ads, online videos and branded merchandise (such as the necklace pictured above).

"Bob is a media celebrity and everyone knows his story, but we needed to transition into a broader, more relevant story for the common soldier," says JWT's Jeffrey. "It was important that we create the educational part of the foundation, ReMind.org."

The challenge in this public-awareness initiative, say the team members, is getting people to separate the war and its political baggage from the experience of the soldiers.

"It's hard to get people to believe they can actually make a difference for military families," says Salzman. "The idea is that it's not about the war, it's about the warrior."

For JWT, "It's not only a humanitarian effort, but a learning experience about how to use social media to get responses from consumers, especially the younger ones,"says Jeffrey.

While the $1.65 million -- if the goal is reached -- will go a long way towards helping veterans rehabilitate upon their return, the conversation and public awareness the campaign helps raise is also critical, say those involved in the effort.

René Bardorf, executive director of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, says while they "really hope we reach that goal," it's just as important to get the word out about the veterans. "We owe it to the service members and their families to talk about it," she says.

Speaking at holiday parade in Hague, N.Y., a town of about 1,000 residents, Woodruff says she realized "it's going to take everything," including good old-fashioned pass-the-bucket-style fundraising, to reach their goal. She says she walked away with $90 in donations just from people who walked up to her with dollar bills.

"One of the things we came out of Memorial Day realizing was the importance of parades in small-town America." she says, which is why the foundation plans to arm teens with buckets to pass around during parades. "It's up to every American to help our wounded heal, and we feel like we can do this community by community."

Greenwich teens tweet for soldiers (Greenwich Time)

Remind.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:45:56 -0400

Why do you tweet?

This Memorial Day weekend 525 teens -- including three from Greenwich -- hope to raise $1.65 million for the Bob Woodruff Foundation by posting tweets on Twitter, part of a nationwide campaign to help wounded veterans. The program, "Tweet To ReMind," aims to raise awareness and provide resources for servicemen and -women with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. [click here to view] (http://www.greenwichtime.com/ci_12423886)

Waging the Battle at Home (Huffington Post)

Remind.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:44:05 -0400

As we honor the brave men and women who defended our country throughout history, our thoughts will also be with our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the 35,000 here at home who have been physically injured since those conflicts began.

This Memorial Day, we should extend that honor to those who have sustained the hidden injuries of war. {click here to view] (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-woodruff/waging-the-battle-at-home_b_206869.html)

Commentary: Thank our soldiers with a dollar and a Tweet (CNNPolitics.com)

Remind.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:14:13 -0400

Lee Woodruff has collaborated with The Bob Woodruff Foundation and ReMIND.org to launch Tweet to ReMIND, hoping to harness the power and popularity of the Twitter community to tell Americans about the plight of injured U.S. veterans. [click here to view] (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/21/l.woodruff.mem.day/)

Kids of ABC News' Bob Woodruff Issue Memorial Day Weekend Call-To-Action Web Video Urging Teens to Tweet, Facebook, Donate $5.25 to Support Injured U.S. Troops (PRNewswire)

Remind.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:33:34 -0400

Mack, Cathryn, Nora and Claire Woodruff, whose dad is ABC News correspondent and ReMIND.org founder Bob Woodruff, today released a video http://tweettoremind.org/525-teens/ asking teens nationwide to join the 525 Teens movement for Memorial Day Weekend fundraiser Tweet to ReMIND. Starting today, Tweet to ReMIND aims to raise $1.65 million for U.S. troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq with injuries from service (that's one dollar for each service member deployed since 9/11). [click here to view] (http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-23-2009/0005031743&EDATE=)

Remind.org Launches "Tweet to Remind" (CNBC)

Remind.org — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:03:40 -0400

Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee are teaming up with Twitter this Memorial Day weekend to remind Americans of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who serve their country. The Woodruffs discuss this partnership with CNBC click here to view

Salzman: This Memorial Day, Tweet To Remind (CNBC)

Remind.org — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:57:49 -0400

Anybody I’m connected with on Twitter or Facebook has surely noticed me giving lots of character-love to the online charity event Tweet to ReMIND, which hits fever pitch now as we approach Memorial Day Weekend click here to view

Lee Woodruff joined us at the Four Seasons (Hooks Bookevents)

Remind.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:01:51 -0400

Hooks Book Events produced its first salon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown this past week with our new best friend, Lee Woodruff. The author and activist who supports the troops through her nonprofit organization www.remind.org" charmed us with readings from her new book "Perfectly Imperfect" and with stories about her life with her children and husband, ABC News reporter Bob Woodruff, who suffered a severe brain injury in 2006 while covering the War in Iraq. "He's my miracle man," she said. [click here to view] (http://hooksbookevents.blogspot.com/2009/05/may-19-lee-woodruff-joined-us-at-four.html)

Tweet to ReMIND (Marketing to Small Business)

Remind.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:52:14 -0400

Today, I am taking time off from talking about small business issues and the opportunities to market to this audience segment to instead focus on a great cause called Tweet to Remind (http://tweettoremind.org/). [click here to view] (http://marketingtosmallbiz.blogspot.com/2009/05/tweet-to-remind.html)

Nightline Twittercast on Veterans (NIGHTLINE ONLINE)

Remind.org — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:29:02 -0400

Bob Woodruff and guest discuss veteran care in American and Tweet to ReMIND (5/20) click here to view

Lee Woodruff talks about her book and ReMIND.org

Remind.org — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:13:06 -0400

click here to view

Money Talks: Tweet for Charity! Bob Woodruff’s Tweet to ReMIND (WomensDay)

Remind.org — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:14:19 -0400

The great thing about using some of these money-saving techniques we’ve been blogging about is that you can have a bit of extra money to spend in other areas. I’m going to forgo just two 3 p.m. runs to Starbucks in order to donate to ReMIND.org this weekend. click here to view

Bob And Lee Woodruff Kick Off Holiday Weekend Twitter Fundraiser (MediaBistro’s Fishbowl NYC)

Remind.org — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:58:21 -0400

ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee hosted a breakfast this morning to kick off their Memorial Day Twitter fundraiser Tweet To Remind.

Tweet To Remind seeks to raise awareness of the Woodruffs' organization Remind.org through Twitter hashtags, word of mouth and retweeting. They are hoping to make "#tweettoremind" the number one trending topic on Twitter over the long weekend. The campaign encourages everyone to donate $5.25 to the cause, in celebration of the date of this year's Memorial Day: 5/25.

At the kick-off breakfast this morning, Bob and Lee showed a few videos illustrating the work done by Remind.org and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, including giving money to injured veterans and their families. The cause is close to the Woodruffs' heart, since Bob survived an IED explosion three years ago while working as a war correspondent, which left him with permanent brain damage.

"The Bob Woodruff Foundation was established because we got so lucky as a family," Lee Woodruff said. "And living in Bethesda Naval Hospital for the five weeks that Bob was in his coma, we saw many of these other families and the struggles they have to face."

Although getting #tweettoremind to be the number one trending topic on Twitter this weekend may not directly translate into donations for the cause, Remind.org has already raised $16,000 since kicking off their Twitter fundraising campaign three weeks ago. Lee said she hopes to extend Tweet To Remind through July 4, another long holiday weekend that honors American servicemen and women.

This weekend, Lee will be heading up to the Woodruffs' house near Lake George, where she will participate in a small town Memorial Day parade as a stand-in for Bob, who will be out of town working on an assignment, she said.

Although Bob no longer works as a war correspondent, he's been keeping busy with stories about climate change and veterans. He is currently working with ABC and Planet Green.

"I'm addicted to in-depth pieces and international stories," Bob said, noting that even since his injury he has traveled to Cuba, Syria, Africa and Brazil. He said he recently worked on a piece in St. John about a company that helps injured veterans with missing limbs scuba dive.

Just An Online Minute... Don't Forget To ReMIND.org (MediaPost Blogs)

Remind.org — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:12:37 -0400

I'm not a crier. When I sliced through my thumb two nights ago, I didn't cry, but I almost horked. However, it is guaranteed that when the morning news features a soldier surprising his kid at school with his return, my mouth does that uncomfortable wiggle wobble and my eyes sting with heartache when that kid just bawls with happiness to see his dad (or his mom, but I've only seen the dad surprises) come through the door. Sometimes I have to change the channel, or in the case of soldiers young and old returning with less of themselves that they shipped off with, I turn away. Those soldiers and their families can't turn away or change the channel, it's their lives. And guess what? What lies beneath the physical injuries is the psychological damage. This is why Bob and Lee Woodruff started the Bob Woodruff Foundation and co-founded ReMIND.org -- so that those of us who change the channel don't forget that these people still need help and support after the parades, ceremonies, and hospital stays. This is also why they're using social media channels like Twitter and Facebook not only to get the message in front of millions of people, but also to make it easy to understand and contribute. click here to view

LEE WOODRUFF: Help Us Heal the Wounds of Our Veterans and Service Members (Fox Forum)

Remind.org — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:37:37 -0400

How many of us this Memorial Day will stop to honor not only the veterans of previous wars, but the 1.65 million who have returned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Some of us went to war and the rest of America went shopping,” Rene Bardorf, Executive Director of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, said to me once and it has stayed with me. Her husband, a Marine colonel has been deployed twice. While she single-parents their two children in Virginia, he is now posted in California. Her family has made sacrifice after sacrifice during war time. This holiday weekend has a different meaning for them.[click here to view] (http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/05/21/woodruff_lee_memorial_day/)

Journalist lends hand to military veterans (MSNBC)

Remind.org — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:54:28 -0400

Cause Celeb highlights a celebrity’s work on behalf of a specific cause. This week, we speak with journalist Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee about the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which helps military veterans heal from the physical and psychological wounds of war, and ReMIND.org's " Tweet to ReMIND" campaign to raise money for the needs of returning service members. [click here to view] (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30810187/)

Tweet to ReMIND kicks off (PR WEEK)

Remind.org — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:51:57 -0400

I attended the media kick-off event for The Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Tweet to ReMIND campaign, a Memorial Day fundraising campaignusing online media. The campaign encourages people to make a small donation—anywhere from $1 up—to benefit service members who are suffering from physical and psychological injuries incurred during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bob Woodruff was on hand, along with wife Lee, to talk about the Foundation and the campaign. [click here to view] (http://thecycle.prweekblogs.com/2009/05/21/tweet-to-remind-kicks-off/)

525 Teens to Support "Tweet To ReMIND" Memorial Day Fundraiser for U.S Service Members

Remind.org — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:41:51 -0400

525 TEENS TO SUPPORT “TWEET TO REMIND” MEMORIAL DAY FUNDRAISER FOR U.S SERVICE MEMBERS RETURNING FROM WAR Bob Woodruff’s Kids Lead Teens Tweeting for Wounded Veterans Over Memorial Day Weekend

NEW YORK, May 18, 2009 – Mack and Cathryn Woodruff, children of ABC News correspondent and ReMIND.org founder Bob Woodruff, are mobilizing a group of 525 teens called Team Tweet to ReMIND, to support Tweet to ReMIND, the social media initiative to raise $1.65 million over the Memorial Day weekend for U.S. troops returning to their communities from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The group of 525 young people represents the date of this year’s Memorial Day (May 25), the culmination of the Tweet to ReMIND event. The fundraising goal represents one dollar for every soldier deployed since 9/11.

Each team member has agreed to personally pledge $5.25 on TweetToReMIND.org, and to raise $100 over the course of the weekend by recruiting 100 friends. In addition, each team member will send at least one tweet each day of the holiday weekend, from Friday through Monday, to ensure wounded veterans and their caretakers and families are in Americans’ thoughts over the holiday.

“Not only is this fundraising effort important, it also showcases the integral role that teens have in reshaping our perception of what a more positive and charitable future looks like,” said Marian Salzman, CEO of global public relations agency Porter Novelli, lead sponsor of Tweet to ReMIND. “We believe their tweets will convey this pragmatic optimism and sense of purpose to the entire world, who can watch and participate via Twitter and TweetToReMIND.org."

Team Tweet to ReMIND is led by Mack Woodruff, 17, and his sister Cathryn, 15, the eldest children of Bob and Lee Woodruff, whose family has drawn from its own experiences with wartime injuries to raise awareness and resources for others personally impacted by war. ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff was nearly killed by a roadside bomb while reporting from Iraq, which led him to become a passionate and powerful advocate for the troops. He and his wife, Lee, co-founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation and ReMIND.org to support wounded veterans—in particular those suffering from traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder, who often suffer in silence, undiagnosed and untreated.

Spearheaded by Porter Novelli, JWT Worldwide, Clinique and Sawhorse Media, Tweet to ReMIND is the largest and most ambitious online fundraising effort in history, empowering Twitter users to raise awareness and funds with their online posts. All proceeds go directly to localized resources for troops reintegrating into their communities after deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tweet to ReMIND’s innovative use of Twitter makes the campaign a natural for teens—often referred to as “digital natives” for their intuitive understanding and use of social media. This campaign also proves the rising power of the small donor.

Teens interested in joining Team Tweet to ReMIND can join the Bob Woodruff Foundation Fan page on Facebook and contact Lisa Gruber (lisa.gruber@porternovelli.com) for more information.

There are 11 families that are national co-chairs for Team Tweet to ReMIND:

Spenser Sussan (17, King Low Heywood Thomas School, Stamford, CT; Hometown, Stamford, CT), Ryan Sussan (21, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT; Hometown, Stamford, CT)
Julie Zucker (16, Wayne Hills High School, Wayne, NJ; Hometown, Wayne, NJ)
Hayden Barforf (13, All Saints School, Manassas, VA; Hometown, Manassas, VA)
Ellie Woodruff (15, Seaholm High School, Troy, MI; Hometown, Troy, MI)
John Chestnut (18, The Loomis Chaffee School, Windsor, CT; Hometown, Old Greenwich, CT)
Isabelle Diamond (15, Solomon Schechter High School, Hartsdale, NY; Hometown, Stamford, CT)
Alix West, Teddi West (13, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, CT; Hometown, Greenwich, CT)
Douglas Jeffrey (15, La Salle Academy, Providence, RI; Hometown, Johnston, RI)
William Winkenwerder (16, Episcopal High School, Alexandria, VA; Hometown, Alexandria, VA)
Estee Gabay (19, Eastern Carolina University, Greenville, NC; Hometown, Atlanta, GA), Egal Gabay (17, Charleston Collegiate High School, Charleston, SC; Hometown, Charleston, SC)
Zachary Chirazi (16, Abraham Lincoln High School, San Francisco, CA; Hometown, San Francisco, CA)

Said Lee Woodruff, co-founder of ReMIND.org: "We have high hopes for our new media effort, and no group of people is better poised to help us realize our ambitious goals than the digital natives, including those in my family, who live connectivity and who understand it is a crucial agent of social change as well as social life."

She adds, "So many of the wounded are so young and so full of potential. I am very proud that teens can join us to celebrate them and support our vital efforts to make their re-entry into the everyday world smoother and more productive.”

ABOUT REMIND.ORG ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation initiative, provides resources and support to injured service members and their families, and is building a movement to empower communities nationwide to take action to successfully reintegrate our Nation’s injured heroes—especially those who have sustained the Hidden Injuries of War—back into their communities, and ensure they thrive physically, psychologically, socially and economically.

ABOUT PORTER NOVELLI A global public relations leader, Porter Novelli was founded in 1972 and is a part of Omnicom Group Inc (NYSE: OMC). Selected 2009 PRWeek Agency to Watch, Porter Novelli was also recognized in ZDNet’s social PR survey as a firm that “really gets it.” With 100 offices in 60 countries, Porter Novelli helps clients achieve Intelligent Influence—changing attitudes and behaviors by having the right conversations with the right people at the right time. Visit porternovelli.com.

BWF/Tweet to ReMIND Interview on blogtalkradio

Remind.org — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:26:10 -0400

Exec Director of BWF, Rene Bardorf, interivewed with blogtalkradio. Episode #38 [click here to view] (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved)

Lee Woodruff on the Bonnie Hunt Show!

Remind.org — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:53:03 -0400

[click here to view] (http://www.bonniehunt.com/promos/wednesday_may_13th-james_den.php#asos3)

eMail Our Military blogged Tweet to ReMIND

Remind.org — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:41:22 -0400

[click here to view] (http://emailourmilitary.blogspot.com/2009/05/tweet-to-remind-and-support-our-wounded.html)

Tweet to ReMIND in the New York Times!

Remind.org — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:36:41 -0400

[cick here to view] (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/us/10contest.html?_r=1&ref=global-home)

Flash activists use social media to drum up support - Tweet to ReMIND Campaign

Remind.org — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:32:01 -0400

Flash activists use social media to drum up support
By Jon Swartz, USA TODAY

SAN FRANCISCO — When the California Supreme Court convenes soon to rule on the constitutionality of a controversial state proposition banning gay marriage, Amy Balliett and thousands of her online friends plan to be heard.

The Seattle-based online marketer is part of a new wave of protesters, called "flash activists," who use an arsenal of social-media tools — Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs and Wikis to organize hundreds — sometimes thousands — of people to gather at events and express their views.

Balliett, 26, won't predict the turnout when the court rules, but she is confident that her protest will create widespread awareness. She's done it before, organizing a protest of 1 million people in 300 cities across 11 countries in mid-November, shortly after California voters passed Proposition 8.

No longer is social networking just for gossiping, hobnobbing or telling your friends what you had for breakfast. Increasingly, it has become an effective communications tool to mobilize masses to effect change in politics, TV and fundraising.

The virtual grass-roots movement comes during an era when President Obama — no tech slouch himself — as a presidential candidate raised millions of dollars in donations and recruited millions of volunteers through websites and social-networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

Flash activism is "another great way to use our technology to organize people who are fighting passionately for a cause," says Ben Elowitz, CEO of Wetpaint, a website-building service used by social activists.

"We used to use phones and faxes. The tools today on the Internet are so much better," says gay-rights activist Robin Tyler. "It's not even close."

To be sure, not every campaign is a slam-dunk. Social causes require more than just snazzy media tools. They need compelling issues, impassioned people and streetwise organization.

"Any social-media push — whether it is political or fundraising — if you don't believe in what you're saying, it won't work," says Gradon Tripp, co-founder of Social Media for Social Change, whose fundraisers benefit local charities in the USA. "You need a strong base of supporters."

Mobilizing forces online

The proof is in the numbers: 81% of members of online communities use the Internet to participate in social causes, up from 75% in 2007, finds a survey by the Center for the Digital Future at University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication.

They include folks like Balliett, who deployed Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Wikis to get protesters in the streets and gather signatures of support last year.

"It just snowballed," she says. "We assumed we could get maybe 10,000 people involved."

Social-networking netizens are banding together for:

•Political causes. Outside the U.S., protesters in Moldova used Twitter as a rallying tool to bring attention to claims that an election that returned the Communist Party to power was rigged in that little-known country.

German native Bijan Zendeh late last year created a Facebook community to petition the Iranian government to free American-Iranian student Esha Momeni from jail. Within two days, 200 people joined the group. On Nov. 11, Momeni, who was imprisoned for "propaganda against the state," was released on bail.

•Saving TV shows. It used to take massive letter-writing campaigns to occasionally keep TV shows with small but loyal followings on the air. Now, viral online campaigns are common.

NBC's critically acclaimed Friday Night Lights suffered from poor ratings. When NBC considered pulling the plug, a vocal group of viewers — who created fan pages on MySpace and Facebook — protested. It moved to DirecTV and returned to NBC.

NBC's Chuck may also be brought back, thanks to a Twitter campaign by fans.

Sometimes, the campaigns fall short. Fans of the Fox sci-fi series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles joined forces on websites, created communities on Facebook and MySpace, and uploaded videos to YouTube to keep the show on the air.

Amy Cartas, 27, of Riverside, Calif., last month uploaded a video in support of the show to YouTube. So far, 13,000 have viewed it.

"We're trying to reach Fox, (its producer) Warner Bros. and Halcyon, which owns the rights to the Terminator franchise," says Bill Flynn, 62, a retiree in Clarkston, Mich., who is moderator of a Terminator Wiki site with 5,000 members.

Fox, however, is expected to cancel the show.

•Fundraising. Social-media tools make it easier to reach more people who, in turn, contribute cash and checks in small denominations. Before, fundraisers often checked their personal Rolodexes for big donors. One fertile new form of money gathering: so-called Tweetups, where Twitter members convene and kick in money for a cause.

"The big change is not so much technology but connecting people to people," says Beth Kanter, a social-media consultant to non-profits.

She has raised $200,000 the past three years via social-media campaigns for Cambodian orphans.

TweettoRemind.org, ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff's foundation that helps wounded military personnel transition back into society, hopes to raise $1.65 million by May 25 — primarily through Twitter.

Woodruff was seriously injured covering the Iraq war in 2006.

"The modern way for raising more and more money is through social media," says Woodruff. "Before, it may have come from contacting someone on the phone and getting a big check or cash."

Still, a few high-profile social-media campaigns don't mean success is guaranteed, activists and organizers warn. A movement, after all, requires a compelling reason to turn out.

In March, anti-Proposition 8 organizers said 100,000 would march on the streets of San Francisco during a Supreme Court hearing. Less than 10,000 showed up.

That should serve as a cautionary tale for would-be protest organizers, activists say.

"Don't set expectations too high all the time," says Tyler, 67, one of the first gay people to get married in San Francisco, in February 2004. "The November organization (that drew 1 million worldwide) was at the right time and place. It was a historic moment, and people were angry."

Adds fundraiser Kanter, "In the end, fundraising has as much to do with people skills as with tech tools."

The Art of Being 'Perfectly Imperfect'

Remind.org — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:16:53 -0400

This is a rush transcript from "On the Record," , May 5, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: A very special guest is here in Washington to go "On the Record," "New York Times" best-selling author Lee Woodruff. Lee and her husband, of course, ABC reporter Bob Woodruff, co-wrote the number one bestseller "In an instant."

Lee's new book is "Perfectly Imperfect, a Life in Parts." And I knew you'd be back with a new book. I knew it because I loved the first one, and I love this one.

(LAUGHTER)

LEE WOODRUFF, AUTHOR, "PERFECTLY IMPERFECT": Good.

VAN SUSTEREN: We have to start with the title. Whose idea?

WOODRUFF: Yes. You know, it was a collaboration with my editor and myself, because she looked at the whole collection, and she said "This is really just about life, a life that is never perfect, that never goes as planned." So you increase the imperfect.

VAN SUSTEREN: It is so interesting reading the book. I love all the family stories that start off. I think it was Orlando at Disney World.

And then it also goes through the pain, and I do not mean to jump at this, but I have so many questions for you, with Mel.

WOODRUFF: Yes, Melanie Bloom, the widow of David Bloom, yes.

VAN SUSTEREN: The two of you.

WOODRUFF: The tow of us. And that's really a chapter for anybody who has got a best friend and who has gone through something with that friend that pulls you together, whether it's a bad divorce or loss of child. We all have friends that have taken us through hard times.

This is sort of an homage to that. And, then, of course, it has the very happy ending of Melanie remarrying a little more than a year ago. And there is redemption after a horrible tragedy.

VAN SUSTEREN: But it is so well-written that you feel like -- there is one scene where you and Mel, I think, are sitting in baggage claim someplace --

WOODRUFF: Here.

VAN SUSTEREN: Here at the baggage claim, just the two of you. And I felt like a voyeur, like I was there. You could feel the scene on that one.

WOODRUFF: That's a compliment.

VAN SUSTEREN: The two of you -- I guess you were friends before, but the circumstances certainly --

WOODRUFF: We were friends before, and the same war takes two different guys in two different ways, loves of our life.

And we were sort of sitting there, I'll never forget that, right here in Washington, just sort of shell shocked, like, "Wow, did this really happen?" A few years ago we were all just playing tennis and raising our babies.

VAN SUSTEREN: And now, of course, Bob, who is doing very well, I might add.

WOODRUFF: He's doing amazing. Back on the air on ABC and running around chasing stories and chasing kids.

VAN SUSTEREN: Of course, he got the interview we all wanted, John Edwards. But that's another story.

(LAUGHTER)

We talked about off-camera how he beat everyone. The other thing that is interesting is the multitasking.

WOODRUFF: Yes.

VAN SUSTEREN: You're like -- mothers are air-traffic controllers at O'Hare with all of the planes coming in at once.

WOODRUFF: All the work we do now in the area of brain injury for our vets, I can tell you so much about the brain. But you probably know this - - women's brains truly are calibrated differently than men. They have found that physiologically, we are just simply able to do more things at once than men. So you can feel superior.

VAN SUSTEREN: Bob, I take it, has read the book?

WOODRUFF: Bob has read the book. And he writes the introduction. And my kids have only read the parts that apply to them. I forced them to read it so that they wouldn't end up on the couch years from now blaming me.

VAN SUSTEREN: How old are they?

WOODRUFF: Mac is 17. He's heading off to college in the fall. Katherine is 15, and the twins just turned nine.

VAN SUSTEREN: It is interesting how you talk about when they are babies and you could touch them when they were naked. Now everyone is running all covered up, and everything. The family, the mother, all these roles sort of change.

WOODRUFF: They do change. And I think that that's part of the book, at least people tell me, it celebrates the different phases and the different roles that we have as parents, as girlfriend, as child, as spouse.

And you put all those things together, and they defined sort of a life. And these are little moments. Collectively seen, there are things that we can all connect to.

VAN SUSTEREN: This is a great book for Mother's Day. I recommend it to all the viewers.

Also, I can't let you go without talking about the foundation for brain injured vets.

WOODRUFF: Thank you. Yes, the BobWoodruffFoundationReminds.org. And we're asking everyone to twitter. Go to tweettoremind.org. If someone risked their life for you, would you give them a dollar? When you twitter over Memorial Day weekend, you give a dollar to our foundation, which goes 100 percent to a wounded veteran and their family.

We owe these guys big.

VAN SUSTEREN: So you must twitter over Memorial Day. And if you forget, where do you go again?

WOODRUFF: Go to remind.org.

VAN SUSTEREN: I will also blog about it in case anyone is not marking it down--Remind.org.

WOODRUFF: Thank you.

VAN SUSTEREN: Lee, great book. Everyone's going to be reading it on Mother's Day and more. Always nice to see you, tell Bob --

WOODRUFF: Love seeing you. I will.

Excerpt: 'Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress'

Remind.org — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:23:36 -0400

ABC News Excerpt: 'Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress' Lee Woodruff's New Book Is a Series of Essays on Motherhood and Love

Author Lee Woodruff, wife of ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff, has complied a collection of essays about being a mother to her four children and a loving wife.

In "Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress" Woodruff acknowledges she doesn't always know the right answers, but she describes with ease her parenting relationship with her oldest children and her younger daughter's deafness.

Read an excerpt of her book below.

Chapter Five The Jewelry Box You can tell a woman's whole life story from the possessions in her jewelry box. Like reading a palm, you can trace the points where her life has intersected with memorable events, people, places, and loves. You can mark the consequential and the inconsequential, you can divine a sense of her self and her own self- image, you can spot whimsy, mistakes, milestones, and passages. You can speculate on the essence of her personality, all from what she has accumulated in that box.

The silver twisted snake ring I made at camp, the sophisticated metal charm bracelet with the Chinese fan from a fifth- grade birthday, the serious pearl earrings for college graduation, the silver bangle bracelets I wore on my right arm as a teenager coming of age, bought one summer in VermontI treasured all of these, although they had passed from objects of adornment into relics of the past, like a threedimensional scrapbook.

I'd had that jewelry box for as long as I could remember. It had been purchased at a Woolworth's in Albany and had sat on my childhood dresser since my earliest memories. It was, to me, a most elegant thing: a thin veneer of navy blue leather covered the box, with some faux-Roman gold leaf pattern around the borders. On one corner the leather had ripped, revealing a flesh- colored patch, like skin, which I had once tried to color in with a marker.

A brass clasp at the front of the box made a snapping sound when I pressed the buttons on either side to open it. It had been years since I had officially shut it, and the closing mechanism hung straight out, like a tongue. The key had long ago been lost, so each time I packed to move, I wrapped a heavy rubber band around the box to make sure the contents were secure. The jewelry box was a present from my parents, although I've now forgotten why.

From the moment I had my first daughter, from the instant Cathryn was born, I'd harbored a vision of us splayed out on the floor with my jewelry box. I pictured us examining each piece I owned and my describing to her where it had come from, in great detail. I would use the jewelry to explain the stories of my life. I had saved them, in fact, for exactly this purpose.

As children, my two sisters and I had sat on the rug of my grandmother's living room, me cross- legged, my sister Meg on her stomach, legs bent back, chin in her hands. As my grandmother brought her jewelry box down to show us, my sister Nancy clapped her hands eagerly. There was treasure in that box, history and lore. Perhaps there were clues to my grandparents' marriage, the exotic places they had traveled, she a concert pianist and he a violinist, who accompanied her. Their lives had been so viscerally connected to music that in those moments when her fingers touched the piano keys and her eyes closed, it seemed to me that nothing else in the world existed for my grandmother. Not even us.

My grandmother was a mythical figure, not so much a nurturer but one who had been nurtured, like a hothouse plant. She had been raised in Magnolia, Arkansas, and had moved north to study music in college. It was there that she had met my grandfather, a "Yankee" and a musician, who couldn't have been her parents' first choice. In her closet were fur coats and full- length dresses for concert performances. She owned multiple pairs of long white gloves, so wildly out of place in Albany, New York, and her luggage had travel stickers on its side, identifying faraway places in the Orient and Europe. The whole package was so exotic, so unusual, that my sisters and I liked to imagine her journeys around the globe and the adventures she'd had. She loved to pronounce words in French, always drawing them out with her southern accent in a very affected way as she made us repeat them, a practice we loathed but tolerated. Her name was Margaret. No nickname. We called her Nana.

It was in the kitchen, her curling hair falling over one eye in the heat, that her southern roots really emerged. She melted sticks of butter for homemade pound cakes, put salt on watermelon, and boiled up thick okras that looked to us like soups of runny noses. She firmly believed that cooking with bacon grease was the key to mouthwatering food. There were lima beans fat as bumblebees simmered in milk, and buttery- yellow corn bread laced with ham bits. Her cooking connected us to a rich tradition of southern relatives we had only heard about in stories.

As we three sisters lay on the deep- red Oriental carpet, surely procured from some Asian jaunt, not yet into our teen years, we watched as Nana opened her large red lacquered jewelry box. Out of it she pulled ivory bracelets, ropes of beads, and Bakelite bangles. There were large brooches and rings festooned with semiprecious stones, horseshoe- shaped pins inset with tiny seed pearls, ones with leaf patternspieces that had been in the family for years.

As she laid the contents out on the rug, we watched the colors swirl in the Persian design and moved the items into piles, coveting the var-ious rings and bracelets, dreaming about being old enough to wear jewelry that for now was bigger than our fists, sophisticated and otherworldly. But the costume pieces in Nana's jewelry box were always the most fun. Jumbled all together in the box's velvet compartments, they represented the flashy flea- market side of life. They were bold colors and statements, items perhaps chosen on vacations by someone who had temporarily abdicated all of life's mundane responsibilities. A swordfish pin called to me. Made from bugle beads and sequins and sewn on a stiff cloth, it looked like something that had been purchased in the 1940s, all glamour and whimsy, designed with a sense of humor. The swordfish's bill was long and pointy, outlined with silver thread.

"I love this pin, Nana," I said, and she winked at me as she placed it back in the box.

"Perhaps someday it will be yours," she said mysteriously. And that Christmas it showed up under the tree with a scribbled note in my grandmother's loopy, flowing handwriting. I wore that swordfish pin the very first time I met my future in- laws. It was at a wedding in Michigan, and I was flying in to stay with Bob at his boyhood home. My roommate Nora and I had agonized over what I should wear to meet his parents. I was the "girl from New York," and I didn't want to arrive in the Midwest looking too slick. Nothing too fussy, too city, or too young. In the end I had selected a red dress in a kind of muted silk, with the giant linebacker shoulder pads that were so popular in the 1980s.

In a burst of individuality, something that would define me as a person with her own sense of self and style, I had impulsively chosen the swordfish pin from my jewelry box at the last minute. I'd pinned it jauntily at an angle on my lapel. Since then, that pin had always been a connection for me to that long- ago night, a reminder of how Bob and I had slow- danced to the band at the reception, how he had proudly introduced me to his parents, his three brothers, and his high school friends, and we'd snuck out under the club's awning to steal a kiss in the cooler air.

I had always pictured my daughter Cathryn fingering the swordfish pin, then picking up a pair of light blue aquamarine studs. "Tell me about these," I imagined Cathryn would say. And I'd remember that those earrings, from Macy's jewelry department when I turned sweet sixteen, had been the first pair of earrings my father had ever given me. Getting my ears pierced was one of those fulcrum passages in life. It seemed, at the time, to be the single most important thing I could do to look older, more sophisticated, maybe even pretty. While most of my friends had already gotten their ears pierced, my mother had decided that her daughters needed to wait until we were sixteen. And on this point, my mother could not be budged. It was the 1970s and hippies were changing the face of fashion, jewelry, and hair in a way that she found fundamentally jarring.

With the world shifting and revolution in the air, with rock 'n' roll, war protesters, civil rights, and busing, even in my traditional household we could sense that there was a sea change taking place out there. Respect was no longer a given, whether for elders, authority figures, or right and wrong; the old rules no longer applied. The carefully ordered white, middle- class world of the 1950s and early '60s was about to undergo a tectonic shift.

"Only ethnic people get their ears pierced," my mother said in an effort to dissuade me, and the comment makes me smile now. In my mother's eyes, real women were obviously expected to wear clip- ons. But all of the other girls in school were "putting holes in their bodies," as she referred to it. There were dangly earrings and hoops, peace signs, even the ubiquitous yellow smiley facesplus a hundred other designs I couldn't wait to hang from my ears.

On the Saturday following my sixteenth birthday, two of my girlfriends accompanied me to the department store in my Albany suburb of Delmar, where I would join the official ranks of body piercers. Some girls used ice cubes to numb their lobes at home, then pierced them with a needle and a cork, but I was enough of my mother's daughter to be wary of this. I went to the middle- aged woman in the officiallooking white lab coat standing stiffly behind the jewelry counter. I don't remember being nervous. I was only excited. It was like some kind of ritual preceding becoming a woman, and I was willing to suffer any measure of pain for my beauty.

"How does that look?" The makeup- counter employee in the white coat peered at me over her half-glasses, her sky- blue eye shadow so close to me that I could see the creases in the lids. She had drawn two small black dots with felt pen on my earlobes and kept turning my head, using my chin as a handle, to inspect her handiwork. "Fine," I said, too nervous to examine it carefully. The pain was fleeting. What I remember was the look of the two small gold balls gleaming off my ears. I was certain every person I encountered could see them. Years later, after Bob slipped an engagement ring on my finger, I had the same feeling. I felt the shiny newness of the engagement band, the tiny weight of the diamonds, and I was sure that everyone noticed my hands and my ring, gleaming like a beacon. To me, my two tiny specks of gold earrings glimmered on my body like the treasure uncovered at King Tut's tomb. They carried with them the promise that this small act would change my life. It was at home, in the fluorescent light of the bathroom mirror, that I realized with chagrin that my studs hung woefully unequally. On close inspection, one was much lower than the other. My attached earlobesa recessive genetic trait, as I'd learned in tenth- grade biologymade the inequity even more obvious. To this day, it is the first thing I see when I put on earrings in the mirror. It's the imperfection I spot first, the lopsided inequality that no one else would ever notice unless I pointed it out. I'd had those studs for all those years in my jewelry box. I probably hadn't worn them much after high school, but they were there. A reminder of the day that had inched me ever closer to being the young woman who would leave the nest, go on to college, and begin the next phase of the process of becoming herself.

That is why, when thieves broke into our house in Phoenix one warm, cloudless day, while we were in church, of all places, and the oleander blossoms on the back hedge were in full bloom, I lost not just my jewelry but a part of my living history.

Whoever they were, vagrants or professionals, they knew what they were doing. They entered through the kitchen window and hopped over the sink without disturbing the salt and pepper shakers on the sill. I picture them hurriedly, expertly searching the rooms for small, valuable items they could carry: a video camera containing footage of Mack learning how to ride a bike, an expensive still camera, and my jewelry box, sitting, in a naively trusting way, right on top of my dresser. Because they had no time, I imagine, they simply took the box in its entirety, along with one pillowcase stripped from our bed, an act of utter violation that angered and repelled me for weeks. "Couldn't they have brought their own sack?" I fumed helplessly at Bob. "Don't real robbers carry sacks and wear black eye masks?" I hated the idea that these men had touched my things, roughly opened my drawers and closets, rifled through shirts and undergarments. It was a transgression that was hard to articulate, because although I had not been touched, it made me feel dirty, angry, and victimized.

When I first discovered that the jewelry box was missing, my heart lurched. It wasn't so much that there were valuable pieces or one item I loved above all the others. It was the collective grouping of all of these bits of my life: the pewter owl necklace from my first boyfriend, ugly as sin but endearing; the outdated brooches and rings from Nana; the inexpensive chunky amethyst necklace that had so defined the 1980s as I set out to be a working girl in the big city. I let out a little cry when I realized that the blue box was gone. There was a rectangular space of clean wood around which the dust had collected, an outline of where the box had been. I felt naked, foolish, and momentarily angry for not having had some secret hiding place in which to stash my most beloved items, some special canister fashioned to look like a can of shaving cream or a fire extinguisher. But the truth was that all of my jewelry was valuable, even though collectively the pieces wouldn't have fetched enough at a pawnshop for a good steak dinner. Worse, they were probably lying, at that moment, in a back- alley trash can. The swordfish pin, my little blue studs, and some of Nana's other pieces that had ended up in my jewelry box after she died were all gone. I searched desperately through the backstreets of our Phoenix neighborhood that day, hoping the thieves had picked and chosen, abandoned the bulky box in their retreat. But it was a halfhearted quest; I knew those kinds of discoveries happened only in the movies. So the thieves had severed that connection, the one intended to pass, like a bloodline, from my grandmother to me and then to my daughter. The things Nana had passed on were now lost. The stories I had wanted to tell about my own girlish historythe pearls from my wedding, the opal necklace from a college boyfriend, the tiger's- eye ring set in silver I had made at summer campthese had vanished. I had wanted to lay them all out on a rug with her, to watch her finger ropes of necklaces or slip bangle bracelets on her own slim wrists and choose a favorite, as I had done. But I had lost the props. Something even more precious was stolen in Phoenix that same year. Something far more valuable than my jewelry, more priceless than the collection of all of the possessions that made up my girlhood. My ability to bear children, which had tied me to the cycles of the moon and to the sisterhood of women, would prove, in its absence, far more meaningful to me than one thousand rare gemstones or a mountain of gleaming gold coins.

After the hysterectomy at age thirty- five, which resulted from losing my third child, a son, I was instantly robbed not only of that little boy's future but my own chance to carry another child and to be a mother one more time. All at once I felt cronelike, barren, and neutered. This part of womanhood was a connection to my daughter and the other women in my life I had imagined I would have until my body wound down later in life. Like the jewelry box, I had given it little day- to- day thought until it was gone. My fertility was simply one more treasure that I took for granted until I no longer had it.

What once had seemed like a monthly inconvenience now hung in my waking mind like the brightest star in the solar system. As I had hoped to do with my jewelry, I wanted to share womanhood with Cathryn, to travel the road through cramps and buying Tampax together. How would I now one day claim that tangible communal connection to my daughter?

When the nurses had first brought Cathryn to me in the hospital, I'd held her little beanlike body and touched her shock of dark hair as we fell asleep together. Gazing at her face and her satisfied eyes searching mine I put my lips to her ear. "I'm going to teach you all the secrets of being a woman," I whispered. I thought of generations of mothers passing down the holiest parts of woman wisdom almost wordlessly. I thought about the connection between mother and daughter, the infinite love and the skeins of dreams. Motherhood had given me magic powers, as if I could mystically see the pain that lay ahead for her, along with her moments of triumph, anticipation, and desire. That day in the hospital, infused with the thrill of creation, I felt sure that I would coach her to navigate her way in the world and to demand from it all that she deserved.

I did go on to be a mother again, and our twin girls were born by a surrogate after a long and interrupted journey that often circled back on itself before we got that phone call with the great news. And one day I also got a new jewelry boxnothing fancy, or too big. Over time, I replaced the stolen items with new and different ones, buying pieces gradually and sometimes in bunches. One summer I bought a dozen earrings just to make up for my loss, but I never again found the trapezoid- shaped turquoise chunks that had stood out from my ears or the silver serpentine earrings that had hung halfway to my shoulders. And I should have known it was inevitable. By the time my own daughter reached the age of ten, she desperately wanted pierced ears, just like most of her friends. My initial pronouncement that she must be sixteen was weakening. My expectations, I was told, were out of sync with the times. Why was I so reluctant to see my daughter pierce her ears when it was all I had wanted at that age? How could I not have taken my own desires as a child and woven them into my perspective as a mother?

On some visceral maternal level, the world of piercings and tattoos, the rebellious artistic expressions of today's youth, terrified me. How had that little infant daughter with the milk- white skin transformed into this young, leggy beauty? I wanted to preserve her, wrap her in a protective cloak to keep her unmarred and pristine for as long as possible. When I finally took Cathryn to the women's holistic clinic with the physician's assistant to pierce her ears, part of me felt as if I were righting a wrong. There would be no beauty- school dropout, no lopsided holes. I would make sure they were even, that she wasn't worried or afraid of the sting. Getting her ears pierced was such a small thing, such a minor step forward on the road to independence, but perhaps I was nervous because it was the first move.

Cathryn was anxious; when she saw the piercing gun, she asked how much it would hurt. For a split second a look of fear flashed over her face, and I thought she might change her mind. Then she squinted and asked if she could hold my hand.

When the first hole was punched, Cathryn looked as surprised and indignant as if I had pinched her unexpectedly. Before the pain could really sink in, the woman with the gun quickly and efficiently pierced the other ear, and then it was done. There was one gleaming gold stud in each ear. Cathryn held the hand mirror, pulling her hair back into a ponytail to better see each side. This small, deliberate gesture made her look older somehow, instantly more mature. At home, I stressed that the new piercings were a privilege and a re-sponsibility and that having them meant she was old enough to care for them herself. She needed to clean them with alcohol and she would have to put athletic tape over each earring when she played soccer, according to school rules. "You'll need to be responsible so they don't get infected," I said. "And that means cleaning up after yourself." Two days after Cathryn's ears were pierced, one of my then fouryear-olds, Nora, came stumbling down the stairs in a panic. "Claire threw up!" she screeched. "She drank some yucky water." Instantly, I knew. As I sprang up the steps, two at a time, I understood that Cathryn had left the rubbing alcohol out and the twins, ever curious, had investigated. Sure enough, Claire was in the bathroom looking miserable and Nora began to chatter about how she had gone to take a sip herself but had known something was wrong. "I warned you!" I turned on Cathryn with wild eyes as I dialed the number for poison control. Her carelessness could have resulted in her sister's hospitalization. It was a teaching moment and the remorse was instant; her eyes filled with tears. For one oddly triumphant, hollow second, all of my nagging, chiding, and warnings seemed to be vindicated. We laugh about it now, the "yucky water," but Cathryn learned a double sense of responsibility that day through the simple act of piercing her ears. Not only was she in charge of herself, but her actions had consequences. She grew up more right then from what happened on the inside than the little gold studs on the outside could ever indicate. Not long ago, I found myself on my bed with my three daughters and my jewelry box. It wasn't at all the box of treasure it had once been. I was missing the detailed history of myself prior to age thirty- four. But as I pulled out costume relics from the 1980s and '90s that had survived in a junk jewelry bathroom drawer, my girls had saucer eyes. There was the bolero leather tie with the clasp made from a cactus postage stamp that had seemed like such a good idea on a business trip to New Mexico. I pulled out strands of big chunky fake gold chains, tarnished and heavy enough to have served as manacles. I gave my daughters my garnet beads and bracelets of green malachite from street vendors in the West Village of Manhattan. The twins oohed and aahed as I offered them the cheap cloisonné bracelets that had survived after Bob's and my first year of marriage in China. I shed these pieces in part so that they could begin their own grown- up jewelry box, their own collection and catalog of themselves. Sooner, much sooner than I wanted to imagine, my little twins would be piercing their ears and joining the cycles of the moon and moving slowly, inexorably toward an independence that would place me in an outer circle, like one of Saturn's rings.

They would make their own choices about lovers and clothing, where to draw the line, and what jewelry to wear. Their bodies would be their own property, and with that would come decisions about tattoos and other piercings, who to let in, who to keep out. Someday soon they themselves would choose what they ate, what vitamins they took, and whether or not they wanted to be parents. And no matter what they chose, and whether or not I agreed with it, I would love them regardless and in spite of themselves.

Tweet To ReMIND

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:33:21 -0400

Tweet To ReMIND is a campaign seeking $1.65 million for troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families, using Twitter. The goal is to get 400,000 Twitter users to tweet four times over Memorial Day weekend, donating $1.00 per tweet. The money will go directly to ReMIND.org, for local support services and resources that will assist in the troops' recovery from their physical and psychological wounds.

Rene Bardorf, Executive Director of ReMIND.org, says Memorial Day is "a great time" to do this. According to the Tweet to ReMIND site (tweettoReMIND.org), "More than 1.65 million U.S. service members have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since 9/11. More than 35,000 service members have been physically wounded. It is estimated that more than 320,000 have sustained traumatic brain injuries and more than 300,000 have psychological wounds." She also states that in past wars, "we didn't have the great medical care we have now," and that because the current military is a volunteer force, with service members being deployed multiple times, there is more stress when troops come home. They and their families need our help.

Think about it: you'd spend more on two cups of coffee for one day, than you'd spend in one weekend helping our troops. I'd give up Starbucks for one day for that. And it's so simple. Just register for Tweet to ReMIND at TweettoReMIND.org, and pledge now.

ReMIND.org (remind.org) is a Bob Woodruff Foundation Initiative. Bob Woodruff, co-founder of ReMIND.org, sustained a traumatic brain injury in Iraq from a roadside bomb. During his recovery he got to know many injured service members and their families.

Many thanks to Porter Novelli, a New York-based marketing-based public relations firm specializing in consumer, convergence/technology, health care, and corporate affairs practices, for partnering with Twitter on this, and to Lisa Gruber there for informing me about Tweet to ReMIND. "Go To DC Mental Health Examiner":http://www.examiner.com/x-2259-DC-Mental-Health-Examiner~y2009m4d15-Tweet-To-REMIND

Bob Woodruff Foundation Awards Second $100,000 to Jericho Project for Homeless Veterans

Remind.org — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:20:35 -0400

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

ReMIND.org, A Bob Woodruff Foundation Initiative, Awards Second $100,000 to Jericho Project for At-Risk and Homeless Veterans

Comtex NEW YORK, March 31, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ---- ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation initiative, has awarded its second $100,000 grant to the Jericho Project for use in helping veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who sustained Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Post Traumatic Stress. The Jericho Project, a nonprofit leader in ending homelessness at its roots, is building two Veterans Residences in the Bronx, New York, to deliver permanent supportive housing and comprehensive counseling services to veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

"As our veterans return from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, we must be prepared to address mental, physical and social traumas they face," said Jericho Project Executive Director Tori Lyon. "The intensity and violence there are incubators for Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury, which can cascade into financial dislocation, family estrangement and homelessness," she added.

Veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness roughly four times faster than veterans of the Vietnam War -- within a few years of returning versus nine to twelve years for veterans returning to the States after Vietnam.(1)

The effects of Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury further complicate re-entry. Of the 1.6-million troops deployed at the time of a 2008 Rand Study, 300,000 were estimated to have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan suffering from Post Traumatic Stress and 320,000 troops may have experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury.

"We need to support our veterans in recovering their physical and mental strengths, but also the social acuity that creates a quality of life," said Rene Bardorf, Executive Director of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

In addition to funding comprehensive counseling to residents of the Veterans Initiative, Jericho will be using the funds provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation to create a technology center that will enable veterans to supplement their in-person counseling and online resources, including career building and social networking with other veterans.

Forty percent of the units in Jericho's two Veterans Residences will be reserved for low-income veterans from the community, with priority given to veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sixty percent will be set aside for veterans who have a history of homelessness and substance abuse.

Numerous factors contribute to OIF/OEF veterans' isolation and risk of homelessness(1):

-- High and consistent intensity of violence: 86% know someone who was killed or injured; and 77% shot at enemy -- Repeated tours of duty: 34 percent have been deployed for OIF/OEF more than once -- High unemployment: 18% of veterans recently separated from service are unemployed, and of those employed, 25% earn less than $21,840 a year -- Relative youth of troops: Nearly half are under 25 years old, leaving many with a shorter professional track record and difficulty transferring military skills to the civilian work force
-- Substance and alcohol abuse to cope: in 2008, 15,653 OIF/OEF veterans were treated for substance abuse

Jericho's Veterans Initiative will be designed to meet the specific needs of those who served in the nation's armed forces. It will also draw upon Jericho's highly effective model of supportive housing and counseling services that stress recovery, employment, and graduation to independent living. The Jericho Veterans Residences will feature small studio apartments, staff offices, a community room, a computer lab, and a garden. See www.jerichoproject.org

Although veterans are disproportionately represented among homeless adults in the New York City shelter system, there are only two supportive housing projects for veterans currently in operation in New York. Some 150,000 veterans are homeless on any one night across America; and an estimated 3,500 veterans are homeless in New York City.

Bob Woodruff, co-founder of ReMIND.org, became the first American news anchor to be wounded in a war zone, when he was nearly killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Bob sustained a traumatic brain injury, and during his own healing process got to know many of our nation's injured heroes and their families.

ReMIND.org provides direct giving to support our nation's injured and their families through community-based efforts; partners with industry and government to achieve its goals; and is committed to raising awareness of the Hidden Injuries of War.

ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation Initiative, provides resources and support to injured service members, veterans and their families, and is building a movement to empower communities nationwide to take action to successfully reintegrate our nation's injured heroes -- especially those who have sustained the Hidden Injuries of War -- back into their communities, and ensure they thrive physically, psychologically, socially, and economically. For more information, visit ReMIND.org.

(1) Swords to Plowshares, Iraq Veteran Project, July 2008

SOURCE The Jericho Project

http://www.jerichoproject.org

AARP.org Twitter Away for Injured Iraq Veterans

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:38:30 -0400

New technology can make folks all atwitter, but one nonprofit thinks that’s a good thing.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation, named for the ABC correspondent who was injured in 2006 by a roadside bomb in Iraq, is launching a fundraiser through the social media network Twitter.

Twitter users communicate through “tweets,” which are frequent, short messages sent to friends and family to stay connected. The free service can be used both online and through cellphones.

The foundation, through its Tweet to Remind campaign, seeks to raise $1.65 million to help military men and women get assistance through a variety of services—from adaptive housing to psychological care—once they return from war.

“We wanted to do something in a grassroots way,” says foundation executive director Rene Bardorf. “It’s a great way to reach out to the community and assist service members to reintegrate into their families and society.”

The campaign is asking supporters to pledge $1 per tweet for a total of four tweets during the Memorial Day weekend, May 22-25. People can sign up to contribute online and then use their Twitter accounts to send messages to families and friends about the needs of U.S. service members. Bardorf says the messages can highlight data and statistics about veterans or encourage others to get involved locally with veterans’ issues.

Supporters are asked to use the hashtag #tweettoremind when they make their tweets.

Bardorf’s team calculates that if 400,000 people pledge $4, the Woodruff Foundation will raise $1.6 million. Bardorf looks for the remaining $500,000 to come from people who pledge more than $4, and she hopes the 50-plus generation will lead the way.

“We’re all new to this technology, but the older demographic understands why this issue is so important. They understand how much sacrifice there is when you serve,” she says. "View Original Post":http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/reinventing/articles/twitter_away_for_injured_iraq_veterans.html

OK, TWITTER WILL DO FOR LEE WOODRUFF

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:37:15 -0400

LEE Woodruff shouldn't knock some thing before trying it. In February, the writer and wife of Iraq war-injured ABC anchor Bob Woodruff wrote a piece blasting Twitter in the Daily Beast. "I say let's stop the madness," Woodruff wrote of Twitter users, who update their profiles daily with musings of 140 characters or less. "I think [using Twitter] is largely about vanity," she said. "Go read an article in The New Yorker. You remember those, don't you?" Now Woodruff is eating her words. She'll embrace Twitter to help raise money for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports wounded soldiers, and just announced its "Tweet to Remind" cam paign. The goal is to raise $1.6 million by Memorial Day by asking Twitter users to pledge $1 per Tweet. Lee included this dis claimer in her article: "I'm not saying I'm never, ever going to join Twitter." "View Original Post":http://www.nypost.com/seven/03252009/gossip/pagesix/ok__twitter_will_do_for_lee_woodruff_161194.htm

Donate Your Twitter Status

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:39:58 -0400

Do you Twitter? Twitter is a micro-blogging social-networking service that allows users to share text-based posts (or tweets) of up to 140 characters.

Starting Monday, March 16, ReMIND.org and Porter Novelli ask Twitter users to register at TweetToReMIND.org.

The Tweet to ReMIND event will take place over Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 22, to Monday, May 25). Participants will be asked to donate one dollar per tweet. Tweet to ReMIND’s goal is to register 400,000 twitterers by Memorial Day, and to raise $1.65 million during the weekend event, which represents the 1.65 million service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Each Twitterer must tweet four times in order to meet our goal.

More than 35,000 service members have been physically wounded and it is estimated that more than 320,000 have sustained traumatic brain injuries and more than 300,000 have psychological wounds. Tweet to ReMIND empowers Twitter users to spread this message and raise money to give injured service members, veterans and their families the local support and resources they deserve as they heal and reintegrate into their communities.

Individuals, groups or companies can sponsor and donate designated hours of their Twitter updates to ReMIND.org.

The Tweet to ReMIND campaign call to action was announced March 16 at SXSW Interactive’s Social Media for Social Change panel discussion, sponsored by Porter Novelli at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Texas. TWITTERERS: Please use hashtag #TweetToRemind when you tweet for Tweet to ReMIND.

ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) initiative, provides resources and support for returning U.S. service members injured while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, as they reintegrate into their local communities.

"View Original Post":http://moaablogs.org/message/2009/03/donate-your-twitter-status/

ReMIND.org Challenges Twitter Community: Tweet to Raise Money and Awareness for injured service members, veterans and their families

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:34:46 -0400

ReMIND.org Partners With Porter Novelli for Tweet to ReMIND, Benefiting U.S. Service Members Injured in Afghanistan and Iraq

New York, March 16, 2009 -- ReMIND.org announced today the launch of Tweet to ReMIND, a campaign that empowers Twitter users to spread awareness and raise funds to recognize and support injured U.S. service members as they return to their communities. Tweet to ReMIND has been developed with the pro bono partnership of global public relations agency Porter Novelli. ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) initiative, provides critical resources and support for our nation’s injured heroes and their families. Today’s announcement was made at the Social Media for Social Change panel discussion at the SXSW Interactive conference in Austin, Texas.

“We are eager to harness the information-sharing power of Twitter to tap into a massive community of plugged-in, socially aware Americans on behalf of our injured service members and their families,” said Brad McCormick, executive vice president of Digital for Porter Novelli. “Tweet to ReMIND will provide unprecedented reach for ReMIND.org’s message: ‘Support Our Troops’ is no longer a slogan. It’s an action.’ In addition to jump-starting awareness, Tweet to ReMIND gives Twitter users a chance to take action by disseminating the message themselves and by donating.”

Starting today, ReMIND.org and Porter Novelli ask Twitter users to register at TweetToReMIND.org. The Tweet to ReMIND online event will take place over Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 22, to Monday, May 25). Participants will be asked to donate one dollar per tweet, via PayPal or electronic check. Money raised will be spent on local resources to help heal and reintegrate injured service members into their communities. Tweet to ReMIND’s goal is to register 400,000 tweeters by Memorial Day, and to raise $1.65 million during the weekend event, which represents the 1.65 million service members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since 9/11. Each Twitter must tweet four times in order to meet our goal.

“Being able to work with Porter Novelli on this innovative, cutting edge campaign allows us to expand our reach and continue to provide resources and support for injured service members and their families,” said Lee Woodruff, co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “As we continue to grow, we are happy to have Porter Novelli promote this cause alongside us.”

“Porter Novelli proudly supports ReMIND.org by offering our services pro bono, in support of BWF co-founder Lee Woodruff, a longtime agency colleague,” said Marian Salzman, chief marketing officer of Porter Novelli.

About ReMIND.org ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation initiative, provides resources and support to injured service members and their families, and is building a movement to empower communities nationwide to take action to successfully reintegrate our Nation’s injured heroes—especially those who have sustained the Hidden Injuries of War—back into their communities, and ensure they thrive physically, psychologically, socially and economically.

About Porter Novelli A global public relations leader, Porter Novelli was founded in 1972 and is a part of Omnicom Group Inc (NYSE: OMC). Selected 2009 PRWeek Agency to Watch, Porter Novelli was also recognized in ZDNet’s social PR survey as a firm that “really gets it.” With 100 offices in 60 countries, Porter Novelli helps clients achieve Intelligent Influence—changing attitudes and behaviors by having the right conversations with the right people at the right time. Visit "porternovelli.com.":http://porternovelli.com

Their New Normal: The Woodruff Family’s Recovery From Traumatic Brain Injury

Remind.org — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:48:50 -0400

From EP Global Communications Their New Normal: The Woodruff Family’s Recovery From Traumatic Brain Injury

Countless families across the country recognize Bob Woodruff as one of the faces of ABC News. We know him from his in-depth reporting, his position as the replacement for the late Peter Jennings as co-anchor of World News Tonight, and, unfortunately, from his near-death experience when his tank was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) while he was on assignment covering the war in Iraq. Lee Woodruff knows Bob as her husband of 20 years, the father of her four children, and her partner in life. In the hours and days following the attack on Bob, his cameraman, and the military personnel who were assigned as their escorts, America watched as news came in of his serious condition (he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and his chances of recovering. Lee immediately rushed to his side, determined to do anything she could to get him healthy and bring him home to his family. For Lee, the entire journey—from panic when the call came in that he was injured to caregiving during the long recovery process—taught her many things about the power of hope, the strength of the human spirit, and her own ability to overcome fear and remain strong for her family. For both Bob and Lee, the experience also gave them a profound appreciation of the courage and selflessness of the men and women of the U.S. military, whom they credit for saving Bob’s life.

It was January 29, 2006, and Bob was reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces when a roadside bomb struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq. At the time of the attack, he was embedded with the U.S. 4th Infantry Division, traveling in an Iraqi MT-LB. Woodruff and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, were standing with their heads above a hatch, apparently filming a stand-up. Both men were wearing body armor and protective helmets at the time. Woodruff sustained serious shrapnel wounds and a massive head injury and underwent surgery performed by a joint Army and Air Force neurosurgical team at the U.S. Air Force hospital south of Balad, located in Camp Anaconda. A portion of his skull was removed to reduce the damage from brain swelling, and he was evacuated to the United States Army’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. He was kept in a medically induced coma to assist his recovery.

Lee was on vacation at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL with their four children when ABC News president, David Westin, called her with the news that Bob had been injured. Naturally, not but in serious condition due to an IED attack on his unit, she was terrified. After the initial shock began to subside, Lee—a public relations executive and freelance writer—searched within herself for strength and hope and then embraced her role as the leader and caregiver of her family. She called Bob’s family, her own parents, and then told Westin to release the news to the public and arrange for her to get to Bob’s side. The hardest task came next—she needed to tell her four children, whose ages at the time ranged from 5 to 15, that their father had been seriously injured. She was careful in her approach of delivering the news to them. “I think initially, during the initial terror—before we knew where it was going—one of the things I found the most helpful was to determine that balance between insulating my kids from a lot of the facts and the gory details and the what ifs and the desire to never lie to them,” Lee remembers. “My daughter would come to me and say, ‘Is Daddy going to be the same? Will he be the same person?’ And I would think, You know, I don’t know the answer to that, and if I told her, I’d be lying to her—and I never want to lie to her because I always want her to believe me. I always want to be her source for information. So what I would say to her was, ‘I believe in my heart that your dad is going to get better, and he’s going to be as back to himself as he can possibly be.’ And that was enough for all of them.”

As information began to come in about the attack, Lee learned that, after the bombing, helicopter medics were ordered to turn around because of a complex gunfight that was taking place around the tank that Bob was in. The military personnel sent to the rescue chose to ignore the order, however, land their helicopter, and get Bob the medical attention that he would have died without. The servicemembers told Lee they were just doing their job—her immediate thought was a hope that she was raising her children with the kind of “stuff” that those men were made of.

Bob’s initial prognosis upon his evacuation was that he was not expected to live. Lee credits the doctors and nurses, who took mortar fire while operating on him, for bringing him back. She admits that her first instinct when she got the news was to get her husband back to the U.S. as soon as possible so that he could get the proper care, but she later realized that he was in the best place he could have been where, as she explains, “They just acted, when every second counted.” She now understands that U.S. military physicians are some of the best in the world at treating traumatic brain injuries, because they have seen so many of them over the course of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lee first saw Bob at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and it was a waiting game in terms of when he would recover and how affected he would be from the brain injury. After leaving Germany, Woodruff was treated for weeks at Bethesda Naval Hospital (also known as the National Naval Medical Center) in Bethesda, MD. Once he came out of his coma, it was his speech and language that were most affected. Lee was told that with an injury like Bob’s it was as if a bomb had gone off in the filing cabinet in his brain that keeps all of his words and memories and now he had to pick them all up and reorganize them. And for Lee, that was the most challenging aspect of dealing with his recovery. “This was Bob. This was the person that I married because of his brain and now here was his brain that was so completely scrambled, and moreover, there was no real certainty on where it would end up.” She didn’t know how functional Bob would be, how much he would improve, or if he would ever be able to hold any real job again. She quickly discovered that patience was key. “That was absolutely the hardest thing, being able to let go and say, ‘I have no control over this so I now need to stay indefinitely positive, and I need to do it for the kids…and for my own psyche.’”

Lee learned that the most valuable tool in helping her family through the experience of dealing with Bob’s injury and his recovery was to always keep them all in the realm of hope and, as he began to recover, to focus on the things that he could do instead of those that he couldn’t do. She worked to maintain an open line of communication with her children and found that—as simple and as basic as it was—it was all they needed.

In her initial conversations with the doctors who were treating Bob in Germany, both prior to her arriving there and during her first days at his side, Lee grew frustrated with their descriptions of his condition. “Sometimes I worry about the caregivers when doctors give such dire pronouncements up front because if an outcome is going to be awful—like the cancer is terminal or Dad’s never going to walk again or talk again—our brains will begin to allow that information in over time,” she explains. “We will begin to understand it. We don’t need it to be frontloaded—we don’t need to be hit over the head with a club. We need to stay strong and in a realm of hope to care for our loved one. I think kids are like that, too. If this is going to be Dad’s new reality, then they will begin to understand that and adjust their world or their expectations to circle around that gradually.”

As a result of his brain injury, Bob experienced aphasia—the loss of the ability to produce and/or comprehend language, especially when fatigued. (The condition has continued to improve and now is barely recognizable.) Lee remembers, “It was so interesting to see my kids deal with that, to just supply the word if he hesitated for one second. To them, it became their ‘new normal,’ which is a brain injury term that I hated for so long, but there really isn’t a better word for life after an injury or illness. And kids understand ‘new normal.’ I think we need to give them a lot more credit than they sometimes get for being able to assimilate and move forward.”

For Lee, her processing of the experience was complicated and trying. She found herself in a position not foreign to the spouses and loved ones of those in the military who put themselves in dangerous situations in the name of their jobs…angry. “I just thought, my God, you’ve got four kids, you’ve been there eight times before, you and your producers had agreed that you already had the story in the can. Why were you going the extra mile here? Why are you such a Boy Scout? All of those thoughts were in my head, and I’m not sure how I stopped the film loop on that one ultimately. … I think you sort of just burn yourself out with all these different emotions.”

From fear, to anger, to determination, Lee always remained hopeful throughout Bob’s path to recovery and from it all emerged deeply grateful to the U.S. military. Together with Bob, they decided to create the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation to become a voice that could be heard in civilian and military cultures, across political lines and throughout the nation, calling for tangible support to assist injured servicemembers and their families. “I know that we felt so lucky, and we saw in the hospital so many families that didn’t have the spotlight on them like we did, who didn’t have the resources of an ABC News behind them,” Lee remembers. “I think we felt so grateful at Bob’s outcome, and we felt like we had to do something.” Through the nonprofit foundation, the Woodruffs, Bob’s brothers included, use their voices to shine light on the families who need help and provide critical resources and support, especially to those affected by the signature hidden injuries of war: traumatic brain injury and combat stress (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To date, they have given over $1 million in individual and charitable grants through the foundation. “We feel that we can continue—through speaking and writing and all the things that I do and Bob does—to keep the focus on these vets,” Lee says. They try to cover the gamut of what military families of those injured need, from financial support to access to rehab, and that includes an awareness of the caregiver, evidenced by their recent funding of an organization at Walter Reed Army Medical Center that gives spa and pedicure treatments to the caregiver. “You can say, well how does that help somebody recover from a brain injury?” says Lee. “But I don’t even have to tell you how. It’s pretty obvious.”

Now, three years since the IED that almost took his life in Iraq, Bob is back on ABC News (he returned in February 2007), and Lee is set to release her second book, Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress (her first, In an Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing, was co-authored with Bob and became a #1 New York Times bestseller). At ABC, Bob is reporting for World News, Good Morning America, and Nightline with the unit, Bob Woodruff Reports. His first on-air report after his injury, “To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports,” was an hour-long, primetime documentary that chronicled his TBI, his painstaking recovery, and the plight of thousands of servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with similar injuries. Woodruff continues to cover TBI for all ABC News broadcasts and platforms and was honored with a Peabody Award in 2008 for his reporting on the subject. And he is working his way back to live anchoring. “He would say that he’s not as fluid, speech- wise, as he would have been before,” explains Lee. “Before he could sit and look at five pages and memorize them and stand up and spew it out. He can no longer do that; he has to come up with other tricks to keep the facts in his head. But he has found, as so many with brain injuries do, great compensatory strategies for working around those issues. So it’s pretty remarkable.”

That day in Iraq immediately changed the lives of Bob, Lee, and their four children but it has without a doubt made them stronger and forever affected the way they view the men and women of the military and the resilience of all families to overcome great challenges. Lee found that taking things day by day, being as patient as she could be in the face of uncertainty, and never losing hope allowed her to lead her family through their hard times. “I know it sounds like a Hallmark card, but I don’t think anybody should ever be without hope,” says Lee. “I think hope is really the fuel that keeps the patient going, the caregiver going, the whole family going. It’s like gasoline in the engine; no one should ever be afraid to hope.”

For more about The Bob Woodruff Family Foundation, visit remind.org. Lee Woodruff’s new book, Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress, will be released April 21, 2009 from Random House and Bob Woodruff can be seen back on ABC News and as the anchor of Focus Earth, a weekly eco-newscast for Planet Green, Discovery Communications’ 24/7 eco-lifestyle network.

René Bardorf and Bob Jeffrey discuss ReMind.org on Fox Business

Remind.org — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:20:35 -0400

To view the clip, click here

TV Guide presents :: Stand Up For Heroes

Remind.org — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:20:35 -0400

To view the coverage, click here

'Army Wives' Grace Red Carpet At Walter Reed

Remind.org — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:20:35 -0400

by Meghan Vittrup, American Forces Press Service 07/04/2008

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2008 – The cast of the Lifetime cable network drama "Army Wives" graced the red carpet at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here yesterday to help kick off the July Fourth week and salute servicemembers' often-forgotten spouses.

"We wanted to hold a screening at Walter Reed because we feel so strongly about honoring the strength and sacrifice of the real military families who inspire our show 'Army Wives' and our nation," Maria Grasso, senior vice president of series for Lifetime Networks, said in a news release.

The United Service Organizations, the Army and other organizations organized the red-carpet event, where cast members Sally Pressman and Brigid Brannagh, and Tanya Biank -- author of "Army Wives: The Unwritten Code of Military Marriage," the book upon which the series is based -- joined dozens of real military spouses in a tribute to their everyday roles in military life.

"I'm here because it means a ton," said Brannagh, who plays Pamela Moran in the series.

"It just means a lot to be here," she said. "All the soldiers, and the Army families and military families, what they do on our behalf is just so unbelievable." She added that it's an honor to be able to bring more attention to military spouses.

Also strolling across the red carpet were Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and his wife. Although the general confessed he hasn't seen the show, his wife, Sheila, said she hasn't missed an episode.

"Right prior to its debut, I traveled around talking to Army families," Mrs. Casey said. "They were peppering me with questions about this, because there's great concern about how we would be depicted. And so I did start to watch from the beginning, because I knew I was going to be asked questions."

Military spouses and families had the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the stars and to talk with them and share their stories.

"I don't go through a day without an Army wife coming up to me and really opening up and telling me a story -- like an intimate story -- about their life, about their day-to-day," said Pressman, who plays Roxy LeBlanc on the show. "And I'm speechless and so unbelievably honored and so grateful."

Mitja Ng-Baumhackl, husband of a Navy officer, also attended the red carpet event. "It's actually been a real adventure," Ng-Baumhackl said of being a military spouse. "And there certainly have been a lot of challenges. The 'Army Wives' show actually is so great because it's very authentic at raising those challenges."

Ng-Baumhackl said some of his challenges as a husband have been a little different from those a wife faces. But, he added that he still faces the same challenges that military wives have faced for years, such as finding steady employment and packing up and moving across the country, all the while making sure the kids have an easy transition as well.

After the red carpet arrivals had concluded, the crowd joined Deborah Spera, "Army Wives" executive producer, and Lee Woodruff, wife of ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, who was injured in Iraq , for a panel discussion. The Woodruffs are co-authors of a book titled "In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing."

Lee Woodruff described her experience as an "army wife." Although she is not the spouse of a servicemember, she said, she has experienced some of the same things military spouses experience, especially after her husband was seriously injured by a roadside bomb while he was embedded with troops in Iraq .

"I want to honor all of you," she said to the military spouses in the audience. "You are my heroes, all of you. I didn't know a lot about the military before Bob got injured, but I do know some of what you go through."

Woodruff spoke about her experience when her husband was in Iraq , hoping she would not get the dreaded phone call learning of an attack that either injured or killed her husband. Indeed, on June 29, 2006, a roadside bomb nearly took his life.

Bob Woodruff spent weeks in the hospital suffering from traumatic brain injuries. During his recovery, the Woodruff family created the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation. The foundation helps ensure that servicemembers with combat-related injuries receive quality long-term treatment.

Lifetime also launched a postcard drive during last night's event. Network officials are encouraging fans to write and send postcards showing their support not only for servicemembers, but also for the families that allow their husbands, wives and children to serve for their country.

Operation Homefront, a nonprofit group that tries to bring a better quality of life to military families, will distribute the postcards to military families. Operation Homefront is a supporter of the Defense Department's America Supports you program. America Supports You connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

An advance screening of "The Hero Returns" -- the "Army Wives" episode that will air July 6 at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Lifetime -- capped off the evening at Walter Reed.

"I really think what all the Army wives go through -- and military wives in general -- is so much bigger, so much more than what anyone goes through in a marriage anyway," Brannagh said. "But I would still say that the same skill set that works in a marriage works with the Army and works with your husband -- or your wife."

Biographies: Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr.

Related Sites: Operation Homefront Bob Woodruff Family Foundation United Service Organizations America Supports You

2008 New York City Mess Night and Wounded Warrior Tribute

Remind.org — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:20:35 -0400

"The New York City Marine Corps Council's New York City Mess Night will honor America's wounded warriors. All benefit proceeds will be given to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund (bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org)" For_Immediate_Release:

United States of America (Press Release) June 3, 2008 -- NYC MARINE CORPS COUNCIL

What: Benefit Gourmet Dinner to Celebrate 2008 NYC Mess Night Bob Woodruff is Civilian Guest of Honor When: Monday, June 30. Starts 6:00 pm until 11:00 pm Where: The New York Athletic Club (9th Floor), 180 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019 Tickets: $350 per person

Available: NYCMessNight@nycmcc.org Alexis Maxwell at 347-387-0019

Attire: Black Tie

Charity: All donations given to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund The New York City Marine Corps Council's New York City Mess Night will honor America's wounded warriors. All benefit proceeds will be given to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund (www.bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org), which works to help our U.S. forces affected by Traumatic Brain Injury, a significant casualty issue on the Iraqi battlefield today.

About "Mess Night" - "Mess Night" is a venerable Marine Corps tradition dating from the 1500's that few civilians experience. The event encompasses a cocktail hour, an opulent feast, good cheer and a range of fines for violating guidelines of the mess, which all guests are informed of at the onset. (Violations include foul language, chewing gum, rapping glassware for attention, rearranging table settings and discussing politics, shop, money or religion. Fines begin at $1 and escalate to $30 for "NYC elite" and civilians. All penalties will be donated to The Bob Woodruff Family Fund.)

All guests will receive a copy of "New York City Mess Night: An Introduction and Essential Companion for Pleasantly Surviving a Marine Corps Mess Night. Copies available on request.

Guests of Honor (all will speak)

JOE LISI President of the Mess, Marine, Actor, NYC Native and Retired NYPD Precinct Captain

LIEUTENANT GENERAL RONALD S. COLEMAN, USMC Senior Military Guest of Honor, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs

BOB WOODRUFF Civilian Guest of Honor, Author of the best-seller In An Instant, Founder of The Bob Woodruff Family Foundation and Career National Television News Anchor and Correspondent

JWT to Volunteer Services for Bob Woodruff Family Foundation

Remind.org — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:20:35 -0400

NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- JWT, the largest advertising agency in the U.S. and the fourth largest in the world, announced today that it will volunteer its broad marketing expertise to support the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation (BWFF), a nonprofit organization that raises awareness of the devastation caused by the "hidden injuries of war", traumatic brain injury (TBI) and combat stress.

Bob Woodruff, an ABC News anchor, was nearly killed in a roadside bomb attack while reporting from Iraq in January 2006. The Woodruff Family launched BWFF to help service members, veterans and their families as they navigate their road to recovery and reintegration back into their local communities.

"JWT has a long history of working with the U.S. Marine Corps, and we're honored to rally behind the BWFF," says JWT chairman and CEO Bob Jeffrey. "This is a chance to use our resources for the greater good and to give back to those brave men and women who sacrifice everything in the line of duty."

JWT has handled the U.S. Marine Corps account since 1946; founder James Walter Thompson was a Marine Corps veteran.

"No one disagrees that we should support our troops, irrespective of one's stance on the war," says Rob Quish, CEO of JWT Specialized Communications. "Bob and Lee's foundation gives people a direct way to make a huge impact on the lives of those facing real challenges as they come home. We'll help to spread knowledge about these 'invisible' injuries and ask for big donations and big help in assisting these injured warriors as they rehabilitate and reintegrate into society."

JWT's promotional efforts will be led by the New York headquarters and the Atlanta office, which handles the U.S. Marine Corps account.

"Working with JWT allows us to expand our reach and spread our message about the injuries sustained by our service members, and the trauma that so many families with loved ones returning from Iraq are enduring," notes Dave Woodruff, Chairman of the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation and Bobs' brother. "As we continue to expand our efforts, we are happy to have JWT further promoting this cause."

Adds Lee Woodruff, "We are excited about having the power of JWT behind our public awareness campaign. The agency will be instrumental in helping us raise awareness of TBI and combat stress, which affect so many of our brave service members."

About the Bob Woodruff Foundation

The Bob Woodruff Family Foundation assists service members injured while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Special emphasis is placed on the "hidden signature injuries" of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: traumatic brain injury (TBI) and combat stress injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Foundation works with private industry and government to develop public awareness and promote excellence in research, education, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, support and resources for the injured and their families as they reintegrate to duty or civilian life.

About JWT

JWT ranks as the largest advertising agency brand in the United States and the fourth-largest full-service network in the world. Its parent company is WPP . JWT's heritage of brand-building excellence extends back to 1864, making us the world's oldest advertising agency brand. In 1939, JWT pioneered the first national consumer research panel. In 1988, we created the first research study of consumer lifestyles, "Life Stages." We believe in being anthropologists first, advertising people second.

CONTACT: Alyson Valpone, Department of Communications, JWT, +1-212-210-7825

Web site: http://www.jwt.com/