• November 11, 2009

  Neil Duncan (Ret)

  Neil Duncan: Army (Ret)

  Army. 173rd Airborne Infantry. Deployed 2003 to Iraq and 2005 to Afghanistan.

  Opportunities abound. They're everywhere. - Neil Duncan

  Birthday:

  November 3, 1983

  Interests:

  Mountain climbing, Sailing, Thrill-seeking

  While deployed to Afghanistan in December 2005, Neil's unit was conducting a routine mission. Their job was to spend the night watching a village. The next morning, they left their observation post to return to base. As the three-truck convoy crept along a dry river bed, the first two vehicles missed an IED that had been buried underground. Neil's truck struck it.

  The IED detonated directly beneath Neil and, though it didn't shear his legs off, it caused enough damage that both required amputation. Neil woke up remembering an explosion, but a week had passed and he had no idea where he was. Because he required nonstop surgeries after his injury, the medical team had put him in a week-long chemically-induced coma.

  What followed was two years of intense therapy. Neil was fitted for and forced himself to walk with prosthetics. As an athlete and a soldier, it was particularly frustrating to constantly trip and fall as he relearned to walk. But he kept at it, refusing a wheelchair. He says his "stubbornness" paid off. Recalling those days, he says he adapted much more quickly because he never gave up.

  Neil became a part of Wounded Warrior Project during this time. He cites WWP and the opportunities they created as a big part of his successful rehabilitation. Neil met fellow warriors and networked at functions with people from all walks of life. Since his rehabilitation, he never misses a chance to fully live, whether climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, which he has done once and plans to do again, or sailing in treacherous yacht races with a team of amputees. He has a different perspective on life and says, "WWP opens doors. You have to walk through them... Opportunities abound. They're everywhere."

• November 10, 2009

  Corporal (Ret) Kevin Grafeld

  Corporal (Ret) Kevin Grafeld

  USMC. 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance.

  Wounded Warrior Project probably saved my life. - Kevin Grafeld

  Hometown:

  Levittown, PA

  Birthday:

  October 18

  Interests:

  Reading, Writing, Paintball, Dancing

  As a boy, Kevin Grafeld's dream was to be a Marine. Following high school, Kevin enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Ground Intelligence Specialist in 2002. He deployed 18 months to Djibouti, Africa and did two tours in Iraq. According to Kevin, "Africa is hotter."

  During his first tour in Iraq, Kevin served on a Guard Force. They were mortared every morning, and then defended against small arms fire and drive-by shootings at night. Kevin spent his second combat tour on a Military Training Team, training the Iraqi military.

  After Kevin's second tour, transition to civilian life was challenging. His social worker connected him with WWP. He says, "I was expecting the worst" when it came to the TRACK program. "Instead, they treat us like adults... we're held accountable." Kevin wants to become an EMT and work on Life Flight as a paramedic. When asked about his feelings for his service and his country, Kevin says, "I love America, but how does America feel about me?"

• November 8, 2009

  Sergeant (Ret) Josh Fruen

  Sergeant (Ret) Josh Fruen

  Army 1997-2004. 19D Cavalry Scout, 2D Brigade Recon Troop, 4th Infantry Division.

  I'm proud... I'd go back in a heartbeat. - Josh Fruen

  Hometown:

  Arlington, TX

  Birthday:

  August 4

  Interests:

  Softball, Baseball, Outdoors

  Josh was deployed in 2003 to the Sunni Triangle of Iraq. While there, Intelligence reports identified a building in which Saddam Hussein was hiding. Josh's unit was sent on a night mission to cordon the building. They convoyed toward the building along a canal road. The truck Josh was riding in flipped over and rolled into the canal, top down in the water.

  The amount of gear that soldiers wear and the difficulty of removing seats belts makes it tough to get in and out of the tight cabs of tactical vehicles. The disorienting effect of being under water at night makes it worse. Josh couldn't free himself and drowned, trapped in the vehicle. Miraculously, fellow soldiers pulled him out and medics were able to revive him.

  Josh was back to work the next day.

  He started to exhibit symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while deployed. Later, he was diagnosed with a brain injury. After he returned home, a "Warriors to Work" coordinator in Washington introduced him to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Josh says he joined the TRACK program for support, direction, and help on "how to get back into life." He wants to study Criminal Justice and go into law enforcement.

  When asked about his country, Josh says that ours is the "Greatest nation in the world - it's home."

• November 7, 2009

  Sergeant (Ret) Paul Smith

  Sergeant (Ret) Paul Smith

  82nd Airborne, 2/504th Parachute Infantry Regiment

  No one comes back from war that isn't wounded. - Paul Smith

  Hometown:

  Corvallis, OR

  Birthday:

  September 13

  Interests:

  Soccer, Football

  Paul served as a mortar man in a line company, an infantry position. The mission of Paul's unit required them to constantly patrol villages on foot and drive long distances on primitive, dangerous roads. The physical demands and the psychological stress took their toll.

  After Paul returned home, his life was filled with nightmares and flashbacks. He describes himself as inexplicably jumpy and irritable during that time. Paul's parents are missionaries; he grew up in Peru in a close-knit family. His family lamented the changes they saw in him, after he returned home.

  Fortunately, Paul found a VA brochure on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and discovered that the list of symptoms described his life. Eventually diagnosed with PTSD, Paul considers himself "one of the lucky ones." His VA case manager in Florida referred him to Wounded Warrior Project. He liked the idea of being surrounded by fellow veterans again, and enrolled in WWP's TRACK program.

  The camaraderie and support have helped him on his road to recovery. Now, Paul's goal is to enjoy life. He wants to work overseas in social service, "to help people out."

• November 6, 2009

  Corporal (Ret) Blake Stocker

  Corporal (Ret) Blake Stocker

  USMC 2001-2005. Infantry - 3/3 Weapons Company. Deployed twice to the West Pacific, once to Iraq.

  In Iraq we'd get a few hours of sleep... on the steering wheel. - Blake Stocker

  Hometown:

  Choteau, MT

  Birthday:

  January 6

  Interests:

  Sky diving, Surfing, Reading

  Blake was stationed in Fallujah, Iraq and traveled all over the country to forward operating bases (FOBs). His days were filled with constant driving. He said, "We'd get a few hours of sleep here and there, in the vehicles." On the road, they looked for "things suspicious - that felt wrong."

  When Blake returned home he tried his best to reintegrate himself back into civilian life, but says, "Something was amiss." He experienced anxiety and anger that he could not explain. After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the southeastern United States, Blake went to Biloxi, Mississippi to help in the rebuilding effort. While there, he sought answers to his questions at the Veteran's Administration (VA).

  Blake was diagnosed with PTSD. Searching on his own, he found Wounded Warrior Project. The TRACK program was the very thing for which he had been looking. Blake describes the TRACK program as a place that provides safety - a place to live, all expenses paid, with friends in the program for mutual support and stability. He wants to study neuroscience and become a professor. "Three years from now I want to be in a different country studying neuroscience - France, New Zealand, Ireland, Greece", all places where his veteran's benefits are available. When asked about his feelings regarding his service, Blake pauses while he searches for the right word and says that he's, "Satisfied. I love my country."

• November 5, 2009

  SPC (Ret) James Robert Gorsuch

  SPC (Ret) James Robert Gorsuch

  Army. Enlisted 2005. Bravo Co, 126th Infantry in Ramadi, Iraq.

  I have no regrets... this is the best country in the world. - James Gorsuch

  Hometown:

  Jacksonville, FL

  Birthday:

  March 24

  Interests:

  Surfing, Thrill-seeking

  James talks in an easy staccato, honing in on what he wants to say as though snapping verbal shots from his memory. After initial training, James was stationed in Germany and deployed to Iraq. James was an infantryman, recalling days of walking 2,000-3,000 meters, clearing out sections of houses in the city. He describes Iraq as "Hot. A whole lot of walking. Kids everywhere... they'd save your life."

  Standing guard one day in an observation post, James took enemy fire. During the firefight an RPG hit the observation post and James was knocked out. When he woke up, he continued to return fire, but remembers seeing everything in slow motion. Afterward, James could barely hear for two weeks.

  When he returned home, he sought treatment at the Veteran's Administration (VA). The VA directed him to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Their TRACK program saved him from what he referred to as a "downward spiral." WWP gave him a place to live, structured educational opportunities and counseling to handle day to day challenges. He's grateful for the help. "When you first get out, you're a little worse off than you think you are." Of his service, James says, "I have no regrets... this is the best country in the world."

• November 4, 2009

  Sergeant (Ret) Christopher Neil Horman

  Sergeant (Ret) Christopher Neil Horman

  USMC 1998-2006. Infantry - 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC.

  Do the right thing when nobody's looking. - Chris Horman

  Hometown:

  Seattle, WA

  Birthday:

  October 23

  Interests:

  Gaming, Cards, Sports

  Chris has been deployed eight times, including two combat tours in Iraq. He has served in the United Arab Emirate (UAE), Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Chris' grandfather, father, and two brothers have all served in the military.

  While in the Middle East, Chris would walk through Arab marketplaces, souks, and mingle with the locals.

  In Iraq, Chris says, "We did a lot of foot patrols in the Marines and that made us closer to the people." One thing that surprised him was that "the price of life in the Middle East is nothing compared to what it is in the U.S."

  He believes that every serviceman or woman should act as ambassadors to the United States and should "do the right thing when nobody's looking."

  While deployed, Chris was guarding a vehicle suspected of housing a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED). The bomb exploded and is one source of his injuries.

  After coming home, he was out of work as a railroad conductor and immersed himself in WWP's TRACK program. Chris claims, "A lot of guys' injuries hold them back, but WWP teaches you that they can propel you forward." Of his eight years in the USMC, Chris says he "would do it all again."

• November 3, 2009

  Corporal (Ret) John McClellan

  (Ret) John McClellan

  2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Hawaii.

  I would do it all over again... but I might get a different job than machine gunner. - John McClellan

  Hometown:

  Columbia, MD

  Birthday:

  February 1

  Alive Day:

  September 26, 2006

  Interests:

  Sports

  John's first deployment was to Afghanistan. While there, he also was injured for the first time. A bullet hit his wrist, though he didn't realize it until after the battle. Despite his injury, he continued to operate with his unit. Two weeks later John was shot again, this time in the shoulder. He was medically evacuated to a tactical surgical center. In 2006, John deployed a second time to Iraq. Just fifteen days after his arrival, a sniper round struck his head. Fortunately, neurosurgeons were able to save John's life. He eventually made it to Bethesda, Maryland where he began his rehabilitation.

  John has been awarded three Purple Hearts.

  John's left inner ear drum is destroyed, which severely upsets his sense of balance and robs him of his hearing. He describes the months in rehabilitation as difficult, because he couldn't remember things longer than a few minutes.

  An uncle introduced John to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). John was convinced that, because of his brain trauma, he would never be able to go to college. But WWP's TRACK program offers a solution. John is succeeding in his college classes. As part of his continuing physical therapy, he's currently training for a marathon. He plans to earn his degree in Exercise Physiology and work with athletes.

• November 1, 2009

  SSGT (Ret) Dan Nevins

  SSGT (Ret) Dan Nevins

  Director, Major Gifts, Wounded Warrior Project, Alpha Company, 579th Combat Engineer Battalion, Task Force Tacoma in support of 1st Infantry Division, Deployed to Balad, Iraq, Jan 2004

  At that moment, there probably wasn't a more significant gift that I've ever received. And with the gift came a promise... - Dan Nevins

  Dan's unit was part of a significant strategy of theater-wide coordinated missions to restore peace to Fallujah, Iraq. As his unit left the base and began driving, an IED detonated beneath Dan's HMMWV. The next thing he knew, he was laying outside the vehicle, his legs still caught in the twisted metal that had been the floor board. Dan says, "I remember thinking that my life was over."

  It was November 10th, the day before Veteran's Day. Dan says, "I made my peace. I prepared for the end." Less than a half an hour after the explosion, Dan's left leg was amputated in a tent in Iraq.

  After his first surgery, the medical team evacuated Dan to Germany, where he spent seven days as he waited for evacuation to the states "going down that spiral." When he finally made it to Walter Reed hospital, he describes the first night and the following surgeries as "ridiculously painful."

  As Dan hit rock bottom, John Melia from Wounded Warrior Project visited Dan in his hospital room and gave him WWP's signature backpack. Dan says that it was filled with things that people would take for granted every day, but, "At that moment, there probably wasn't a more significant gift that I've ever received. And with the gift came a promise... that if there was anything that I needed, they were there for me.... It was just really nice to know that there was somebody in your corner."

  As Dan looks back on his rehabilitation, he says, "It actually makes me sick to think of rehabilitation without WWP." He went on to raise money for WWP through the PGA Tour and now serves as a director at WWP. He has devoted his life to ensuring that combat veterans from now on are taken care of as he was. He quotes a friend to sum up what WWP has meant to him, "The government gave me what I needed to survive. WWP gave me what I needed to live."

Every Dollar Counts.

Please join us and Wounded Warrior Project as we support the homecoming and healing of wounded warriors and the loved ones who provide them care. Wounded Warrior Project's goal is to help make this generation of wounded warriors the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation's history. 83 cents of every dollar donated to Wounded Warrior Project goes to provide services and programs to wounded warriors and their families.

Donations are non-refundable.

If you would like to donate more please visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

About Wounded Warrior Project

At Overstock.com, family and home are part of the values that drive us. We recognize that thousands of military men and women are far from home in service to our country. Overstock.com is pleased to announce that we are a proud partner with Wounded Warrior Project, which serves to provide support to the wounded men and women of the United States armed forces.

Wounded Warrior Project fights for those who fight for us, striving to "honor and empower wounded warriors" by raising awareness, enlisting public aid and providing programs to meet the needs of severely injured service members and their care givers.

We all can help. 83 cents of every dollar donated to Wounded Warrior Project goes to provide services and programs to wounded warriors and their families

Overstock.com is creating ways to lend a hand to Wounded Warrior Project and officially launched our campaign November 1, 2009. Overstock.com is committed to the warriors and families who sacrifice so much. For more information visit Wounded Warrior Project.