The Wounded Warrior Project is now in its third decade of supporting injured veterans and their families who are transitioning back to civilian life. The organization is able to provide its multifaceted assistance in no small part due to its many advocates.
In September, the organization recognized some of its most ardent supporters at the Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner. Hosted by the Heisman Trophy-winning former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, the annual event featured five honorees. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Army veteran Sean Karpf took home the 2024 Courage Award. Karpf, who lost part of his left leg and sustained a traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan, battled PTSD after returning home. Through the help of WWP, and in particular its Warrior to Work program, he earned a college degree. Today, he owns and operates a successful business in Jacksonville, Florida, and continues to advocate for WWP.
The 2024 Service Award was presented to WWP supporter Adam Sandoval. Driven by regret for having never enlisted in the military, the motorcycle enthusiast has dedicated his life to giving back to veterans. In partnership with Harley-Davidson, he recently raised more than $775,000 for WWP.
Transportation company CSX has set what WWP chief development officer Chris Needles calls “a gold standard of partnership.” Through WWP’s Warriors to Work program, CSX has made it a point to hire and train injured veterans, all while offering financial support to WWP. CSX’s commitment to the nonprofit resulted in it garnering the 2024 Empowerment Award.
Legislators play an important role in advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill. In 2024, two legislators, Maine senator Angus King and Iowa congressperson Mariannette Miller-Meeks, were recognized by WWP for continually championing veterans’ causes. Through his work as a member of the Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, King has been instrumental in the passage of meaningful veterans legislation, including the PACT Act. Miller-Meeks, meanwhile, has advocated for critical veterans’ health issues while working to strengthen veterans’ access to healthcare.