Wounded Warrior Project

[Wild Deuce]

Read the following and decide for yourself what it means.

From Facebook

After Sunday's show, we've gotten many emails about Tom's remarks after WWP declined an interview request on Gun Talk Radio because it's a firearms-related show. We've also seen the forums that are suggesting many things that are not true. So, I'm going to lay it all out right here.
We thought it would be great to book the WWP on the Veteran's Day show to promote the organization, so I contacted them. I was flabbergasted when their PR contact, Leslie, sent me an email saying they could not participate because our show dealt with firearms. Knowing that WWP has a booth at SHOT show and various gun shows across the US, takes wounded warriors on hunts and range days, raffles guns and accessories as fundraisers, etc., their policy didn't make much sense. I forwarded the email on to Tom to get his take.
-Sarah

The following is the complete email exchange:
====================
Hello, Leslie:
Sarah forwarded me your email after I asked her to invite the Wounded Warriors Project to join me on "Tom Gresham's Gun Talk" radio show.

I'm stunned at your email saying that the WWP doesn't participate in an interview or activity related to firearms. Inasmuch as there are 90 million gun owners and most of them support wounded veterans, I think they would be shocked to hear that they are, by way of their hobbies, somehow not worthy of helping with the Wounded Warriors Project.

Does your policy apply also to police agencies and the military, since they are "related to firearms?"

I'm hoping that we have misunderstood your email. Can you confirm that it is, in fact, an official policy of the Wounded Warriors Project to not do interviews with or participate in any activity related to firearms?

Thank you.
Tom Gresham

============

Good afternoon --

While we appreciate your interest in Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) you are correct that we decline the media opportunity.

Please note the following notice that appears on our website which also applies to WWP public awareness policy and inquiries from media outlets:
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/additional-opportunities.aspx

WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies.

Thank you for your inquiry.

LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director

O: 904.405.1433
M: 904.654.8138
F: 904.296.7347

Wounded Warrior Project
4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256

====================
Thanks for confirming that, Leslie. It was a simple opportunity to promote the WWP on a national program in an effort to send donations your way.
I'll pass along the info that you don't want or need the help of America's gun owners.

Best regards,
Tom Gresham

=====================

Good morning --
This policy is not a judgment on those who own and use firearms – clearly every member of our armed forces has been trained in the use of firearms and then called on to use them in the course of their service to this country.

Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.

Thank you.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director

=============================

Hello, Leslie:

Thank you for that explanation.

I do think -- and I'm being as kind as possible -- that it's the nuttiest thing I've heard in years. Suicides are not linked to firearms. Japan has a much higher rate of suicide than does the U.S., and they have essentially no firearms. Suicide is a serious issue irrespective of the methodology used.

This explanation doesn't pass even the most simple "does this make sense" test.

Your policy does, in fact, brand firearms and the companies which make them as undesirables, and by association, you are saying that those who own and use firearms for recreation, hunting, self protection, and other safe and legal uses are to be avoided.

It's certainly your option to ostracize the firearms industry, the 90 million gun owners in America, and the media which support firearms safety training.

At this point, I feel an obligation to make sure the millions who listen to my radio show and watch my two national television series know about your policy.

I cannot fully express how much I feel you are doing a disservice to our wounded veterans, and how disappointed I am to discover this bias at the Wounded Warriors Project.

Sincerely,
Tom Gresham

 

[pudly]

I just listened to Tom's podcast this afternoon. Pretty amazing. Well, there are a lot of other ways to support veterans, the wounded, and their families. No need to contribute to such an organization.

 

[GBuck]

Wow, this is pretty disheartening. I'm very conflicted though, as they have helped my family in the past and I have donated money to them as well.

 

[Wild Deuce]

It's pretty confusing. Poking around the internet shows that WWP has been involved in more than a few gun related venues/activities .... SHOT Show, NRA Museum, hunting events, etc. It's almost as if WWP is bipolar.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I do not understand this. My family is very upset and I find this disconcerting.

Let's see if a "clarification" is not forthcoming in a few days.

 

[Wild Deuce]

I do not understand this. My family is very upset and I find this disconcerting.

Let's see if a "clarification" is not forthcoming in a few days.

Agree.

It was hard to resist labeling the thread "WWP is Anti-Gun"

I hope to hear something public from them ... a little more than an email exchange. However, the exchange (as well as the stated policy on their FAQ page) seems pretty straightforward.

 

[SERparacord]

WWP is slowly drifting away from their original goals. They seem to like spending money on fancy new offices instead of using the money for the cause they were formed for. It appears to be just another charity going into politics.

 

[Kedric]

This is indeed a disheartening and disappointing chain of events. I sincerely hope for some additional clarification, but as of right now, I won't be donating any more to them. I will find a different way to assist my brother and sister veterans.

 

[Booya]

I've been fortunate enough to get some (very little) inside information on WWP and have spoken with many wounded warriors and the companies that try to work with WWP. I am a veteran, I work for a disabled veteran owned company that hires veterans. I, as well as, MANY other companies have decided not to work with WWP. It is still doing good things for our warriors, but has become more of a big $$ business then anything. They're very choosy about who they will and won't even accept donations from!!!! They won't take free $$ to help our warriors even when it numbers in the millions of dollars! Yet, the executives are making SERIOUS bank....

Do some research on WWP, not just the great stories. You won't like what you find. They want $$ from most companies up front before they'll entertain a conversation with you, for whatever the purpose...

 

[Miketodd]

This is so disheartening to hear, both as a gun owner, a friend of veterns and a Jacksonvillian. I think we should all send whatever contributions that were going to WWP to someother worthy cause.

 

[Wild Deuce]

I recommend supporting the Reece Petersen Trust Fund via a Thunder Ranch DVD purchase. Clint and Heidi are good people. Don't take my word for it. Visit the Thunder Ranch Facebook page or their website. Ask around and/or find your own cause to support.

 

[HoughMade]

I am thankful that there are numerous other organizations who will help our injured veterans which do not pick and choose the Constitutional rights they deem worthy of support. I'm sure the WWP has done great work, but my dollars can find a less judgmental place to do that work.

A little over 20 years ago, I seem to remember taking an oath to "protect and defend the Constitution..." I do not recall a clause excepting the Second Amendment from that oath.

 

[Glock19]

Every year when I lived in Florida we would do a big dinner and a private fishing trip for the Wounded Warriors. I don't care what anyone says, I have volunteered to help these guys and just because they dont want to go on the radio means nothing to deter my support for them...

 

[N8RV]

I, too, am disheartened with this e-mail exchange. I support WWP on a monthly basis and have a son in the Corps. I even had plans to donate my services to the needs of our Wounded Warriors when I retire.

When I began to notice the sheer volume of TV ads begging for money, I became concerned that they would turn into just another agency that spends more money getting money than actually helping those in need. I fear that may have happened.

I'll be looking into their financials before I decide whether or not to continue supporting them financially. Misuse of donations -- or at least heavy on "administrative costs" -- is far more worrisome to me than whether they choose to avoid gun groups for whatever reason, hypocrisy notwithstanding.

 

[Booya]

Every year when I lived in Florida we would do a big dinner and a private fishing trip for the Wounded Warriors. I don't care what anyone says, I have volunteered to help these guys and just because they dont want to go on the radio means nothing to deter my support for them...

It's not their lack of desire to be on the radio that opened my eyes. It's how their business takes priority over the actual wounded warriors that gets me. They do good things, don't get me wrong! However, those good things are 2nd to staying in business and making more $$. You don't turn down millions of dollars in a single donation because it didn't come from your preferred donor if your main priority is the warrior.

Like I said they do great things, it just seem to be the priority anymore. You can find plenty less then desirable things about WWP very easily. There are to many other places that make the warrior the priority that need the help a lot worse then WWP.

 

[racr28]

I am a 100% disabled combat vet and there are many good charities that help service members and their families. I do not consider Wounded Warrior Project to be one of them. If people ask me how to help wounded service members, I always tell them to check out Fisher House. There is none better at helping wounded service members and their Families.

Home | Fisher House Foundation

 

[WWalker]

I do not understand this. My family is very upset and I find this disconcerting.

Let's see if a "clarification" is not forthcoming in a few days.

I certainly hope that this will be the case, but I also hope that it is sincere and not just a ploy because of the bad press they might be receiving

 

[N8RV]

One good sign is that, when you Google "Wounded Warrior Project," several pages of good stuff come up. Only when I added "scam" to the search terms did I start finding bad comments, and those were anecdotal.

Face it, in this world it's nearly impossible to try to do good and NOT end up pissing some people off, who then want the whole world to know how they got jilted. Angie's List comes to mind, but I digress.

If bad things don't pop up immediately when checking the authenticity and efficacy of a charity online, chances are good that they have most of their ducks in a row.

It seems to me that WWP probably does have their clients' best interests at heart, but may also be bending over backwards to please the PC crowd, most of whom are anti-gun.

It's kind of like the GOP -- they didn't have to work too hard to get the votes of most conservatives. Who else would conservatives vote for? So, they downplayed their alliance with the far right and pandered to the middle. That worked well.

I'm not throwing the baby out with the bath water. I'll see what else I can dig up ...

 

[popsmoke]

I'm a wounded warrior recovering from injuries sustained in Baghdad. Being stationed in the WTU (Warrior Transition Unit) in Fort Knox has let me have lots of experience with the Wounded Warrior Project. Here's what I know first hand.

Two years ago when I was injured, I was MEDEVAC'd and the in-flight surgeon cut off everything I was wearing work on me. My uniform, belt, boot laces... everything. I was completely naked and wrapped in an aluminum blanket by the time the bird landed in Balad.

The first time I ever had contact with the WWP was when they gave me a set of clothes to wear around the ICU to save my dignity. Socks, shoes, hygiene kits... they brought me everything I needed. They brought me a computer with internet access and Skype when I was well enough to sit up and be coherent, and they left it with me for the entire time I was there. 24-7. This made a huge difference in my recovery because I had a portal to see my family back home and reassure them that I was okay, that I was going to live, etc. And I was able to be comforted by the presence of my loved ones. They asked for nothing in return, and I was so amazed. The entire time I was in the ICU, they treated me like a king.

For this, I've donated to them countless times.

Most recently, however... I signed up to go on a fly fishing expedition that was sponsored by them. It was for beginners (I've never fly fished before) and I have to say, I probably would have been better off learning on my own. // The schedule was ridiculously packed, and in an entire weekend, we were only allowed to spend a total of 1 hour in the stream. The meals they "provided" were worse than the $5 box lunches from Marsh, and the equipment they let us rent from them was either broken or on it's last leg. Let me give that to you again... they made us rent fishing equipment from them... on an "all inclusive" fishing expedition.

I don't know what's happened to the WWP in the last two years, but it's gone from a service member oriented group to a profit oriented group, and they were shaving money everywhere they could.

Just my opinion.

 

[SERparacord]

I am a 100% disabled combat vet and there are many good charities that help service members and their families. I do not consider Wounded Warrior Project to be one of them. If people ask me how to help wounded service members, I always tell them to check out Fisher House. There is none better at helping wounded service members and their Families.

Home | Fisher House Foundation

Thanks for the link.