Growing up in Puerto Rico, Roberto Cruz always looked up to his father. “My father was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran,” says Roberto. “And I wanted to be just like him. In 2003, right before the invasion of Iraq, I told my dad I was going to join.”

Roberto proudly followed in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the U.S. Army infantry, and less than two years later, his unit was under fire in Tikrit, Iraq.

“AFTER MY INJURY, I DIDN’T THINK I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION ENOUGH TO REALLY FEEL ALIVE. BUT WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT MADE ME FEEL NORMAL AGAIN. I REALIZED I COULD STILL DO EVERYTHING I DREAMED OF AND MORE.”

Even before he returned home in 2011, David Daly knew he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). During four deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan, he was exposed to unimaginable events that haunt him to this day. “Horrible things are happening,” says David. “You hear gunfire and explosions everywhere. Fires are all around, jets are flying over. Utter chaos.”

“AS YOU DO MORE WITH WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT, YOU START TO REALIZE YOU HAVE A LOT IN COMMON WITH OTHER VETERANS. NOW, I GET TO BE THE GUY WHO SHARES HIS STORY AND GETS SOMEBODY ELSE TO REALIZE THEY AREN’T ALONE.”

Sam Hargrove joined the U.S. Air Force in 1996 for the promise of a better life and a secure future. She never thought her job as an admin, working on computers, would put her in harm’s way — but in Iraq, everything was in harm’s way.

One morning in 2003, while calling home from a tent on her base in Tallil, a bomb exploded. The shock wave from the blast blew through the tent, knocking out the base’s communication system and leaving Sam with a traumatic brain injury. Miraculously, she was able to walk away from the explosion — helping a junior Airman to safety along the way.

“I WOULDN’T BE HERE RIGHT NOW IF IT WASN’T FOR WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT.”

During her years as a nurse in the Air Force, Melissa McMahon saw more than her fair share of pain, suffering, and death. In 2015 and 2016, she was in Afghanistan, caring for severely injured Americans, coalition forces, local civilians, and even some insurgents — all while her hospital was being fired upon by enemy rockets. When she was medically discharged in 2018, Melissa returned home with more than physical injuries to her back and hip — she was also battling symptoms of severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“THERE IS MORE STRENGTH AND BRAVERY IN ASKING FOR HELP THAN IN TRYING TO DO THINGS BY YOURSELF. WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT CAN BE THAT EXTRA HAND TO GUIDE YOU AND SHOW YOU YOU’RE NOT ALONE.”

Tina Waggener’s path to service began humbly in a tiny one-stoplight town in San Diego County, California. Raised by a hardworking father and a loving mother who embodied selflessness, Tina learned early the value of community and helping others, even when resources were scarce.

“I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR PEOPLE WHO DONATE TO WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT BECAUSE I CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE WWP MAKES EVERY SINGLE DAY.”