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The Defense Department honors the courage of wounded, ill or injured service members, and highlights the programs that support their return to duty or transition to the civilian community.
“There must never pass a day in our nation or at the Department of Defense when we do not provide our wounded, injured, and ill service members the best possible care and support. They have done their patriotic duty; they are neither diminished nor dependent, even as we help them bring new strength to bear. In their eyes we see the best of our country’s fighting spirit. We are inspired by their strength in recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration back to duty or transition into civilian community.”
Marine Corps veteran Sgt. Toran Gaal poses for photo with his custom surfboard which allows him to surf despite being a double amputee during the Naval Medical Center San Diego surf therapy clinic in Del Mar, Calif., Sept. 14, 2017. DoD photo by EJ Hersom
Eight wounded service members returned to Afghanistan as part of the 24th iteration of Operation Proper Exit, to bring a message of hope and resiliency to soldiers through frank discussions about the best outcomes for some of the worst injuries soldiers face. Story
The Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., provides equine therapy services to veterans and their families to help them cope with their post-military lives.. Story
Army Sgt. Manthan Patel and his family moved from India to Indiana, and that's where he heard about the Army National Guard and thought it would work for him since he could have a civilian life and serve in the military at the same time. Story
Five decades after being shot in Vietnam and almost losing his leg, former Army Spc. John Fogle will make good on a promise he made to the surgeons at the 22nd Surgical Hospital in Vietnam who saved his life. Story
An Army veteran is serving with service members again, this time volunteering as an assistant coach for sitting volleyball at the 2018 Department of Defense Warrior Games Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas. Story