Project Valour-IT

www.deltabravosierra.us

It was the first time I felt whole since I’d woken up wounded in Landstuhl.
–Major Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, on using a voice-controlled laptop

You can make a donation to Valour-IT through Paypal here.

www.deltabravosierra.us

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries.  Technology supplied includes:

January 18th, 2006

Dear Mrs. Smith,

It was brought to my attention that your organization, Soldier's Angels, did something very special for the Marines of our Injured Support Battalion. I want to take this time and thank you so much for your contribution to make special memories for those who sacrifice so much.

Your contribution of laptops is quite above and beyond. I am grateful that you have taken time to honor our injured heroes.

[Partial funding for this project was provided by the Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment (TRIAD) fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation. For more than 40 years, the San Antonio Area Foundation, a publicly supported philanthropic institution, has been administering donors’ funds and granting gifts from those funds to worthy charitable causes that significantly enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve.] 

Project Valour-IT began when Captain Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss was wounded by an IED while serving as commander of a tank company in Iraq in June 2005.

During his deployment he kept a blog (an online personal diary, opinion forum, or news analysis site-called a milblog or military weblog when written by a servicemember or about military subjects). Captivating writing, insightful stories of his experiences, and his self-deprecating humor won him many loyal readers. After he was wounded, his wife continued his blog, keeping his readers informed of his condition.

As he began to recover, CPT Ziegenfuss wanted to return to writing his blog, but serious hand injuries hampered his typing. When a loyal and generous reader gave him a copy of the Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred software, other readers began to realize how important such software could be to CPT Ziegenfuss' fellow wounded soldiers and started cast about for a way to get it to them.

A fellow blogger (blog author) who writes under the pseudonym FbL contacted Captain Ziegenfuss and the two realized they shared a vision of providing laptops with voice-controlled software to wounded soldiers whose injuries prevented them from operating a standard computer. FbL contacted Soldiers Angels, who offered to help develop the project, and Project Valour-IT was born.

In sharing their thoughts, CPT Ziegenfuss (now a Major) and FbL found that memories of their respective fathers were a motivating factor in their work with the project. Both continue their association with this project in memory of the great men in their lives whose fine examples taught them lasting lessons of courage and generosity.

In the years since its founding in 2005, the project has acted to meet emerging needs and its mission of supporting the the severely wounded has expanded.  In addition to voice-controlled laptops, Valour-IT now helps provide active and whole-body video games such as Wii Sports, which is used to great effect in physical therapy,  and personal GPS systems that help compensate for short-term memory loss and organizational/spacial challenges common in those with brain injuries.

 

Major Ziegenfuss

 

To Whom It May Concern,

Hello, my name is LCpl. Andrew. I am a Marine that was wounded in Iraq and got medevaced to Brooke Army Medical Center in Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. I recently received a laptop. I was informed that it was you, the Soldier's Angels that donated it. I can't tell you how thankful I am to have support from organizations such as yourself. It really lets me know that there are people out there that still care about the troops and what they are sacrificing for this country. I appreciate what you have done for me and having this laptop is actually good therapy for my hand. Once again thank you and I am proud to serve this country knowing there are people like you that I am protecting.

Sincerely,

Andrew

 

Currently there is such a large need for the laptops Project Valour-IT provides that many wounded heroes requesting laptops are put on a waiting list. But for $800 you can sponsor someone on the waiting list and pay for his or her voice-activated laptop, which will make these heroes' wait much shorter.

If you are unable to sponsor a wounded soldier and fund the full cost of a laptop but would still like to help, we welcome you to donate what you can here. Or, consider coordinating a group of people such as co-workers or a community organization to raise the funds to sponsor one or two soldiers. 

Thank you for your generosity and support for those to whom we all owe so much...

If you have any questions regarding our Valour-IT or Adopt a Wounded Soldier program, please email us. Thank you.

RUN FOR THE WARRIORS™

Sgt Eric Horton, USA displays his tenacious spirit in the 2008 race

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Sunday, November 8, 2009 - 9:30am

REGISTER TODAY!

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New Location: Town Hall
Town of Babylon
200 East Sunrise Highway
Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Please join us on November 8th at 9:30 a.m. for the 2nd Annual Long Island Run for the Warriors™ sponsored by Local 338. The 1st annual run was such a success that this year it has been expanded, shutting down streets and doubling the distance. With the help of the Town of Babylon, there are three race venues this year: 10k, 5k, and 1 mi fun run/walk. Come run through the street of Babylon (literally!) and support your wounded service members, their families, and the families of the fallen!

Another new feature this year is the First Responders Challenge!

FIRST RESPONDERS CHALLENGE:
We are calling on all fire, police, and other first responders to compete. Prizes will be given to the team that has raised the most donations and also, the team that recruits the highest number of participants. Start your team today… receive a $5 race registration discount for participating as part of a team.
First Responders! Race to support the cause!

TEAM CHALLENGE:
Team Challenge: Friends, co-workers, family members—want to start a competition to see who can get the most participants and raise the most money for Hope For The Warriors™  Sign up and create a team here

If you would to learn about sponsorship opportunities or need more information about this year's event, please contact: Jack Caffey, Jr. - (516) 852-2955

USN SEAL Lt. Daniel Cnossen is a member of SEAL Team One based in Coronado, CA. He is also a 2002 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Dan is a Topeka, Kansas native.

Lt Daniel Cnossen

He was seriously injured while operating near Kandahar, Afghanistan on September 8th, 2009. At this point, he has had both legs amputated at the knee. He may need to have these amputations revised later on in the week in order to better fit his prosthetics in the future. He has an open book pelvic fracture, as well as extensive deep tissue and internal wounds to the lower half of his body. From the waist up, everything else is great; no brain damage, no paralysis, no torso or facial injuries.

Dan is a truly inspirational person. Please visit his website often.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Who qualifies to receive mental health services?

Any military service member who served or will serve in OIF and/or OEF. This includes active-duty or members of activated Reserve or Guard units from any uniformed branch as well as veterans of these units. We also treat spouses, girlfriends/boyfriends, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones.

What kind of treatment is available?

We are flexible in what we provide. We offer consultation and treatment, including individual, couple, and family. If requested, we can facilitate a support group for loved ones of deployed service members. Call or email to inquire. If you feel the need for support during these difficult times or just have some things you’d like to talk over, we are available.

How do I make contact?

Call (818) 761-7438 or TOLL-FREE (877) 576-5343. Email info@thesoldiersproject.org or if in Chicago area kschecht@uchicago.edu.

How do you assign therapists?

We consider your needs, your location, and available clinician before assigning someone for you to call for your first appointment. It sometimes happens that a person may feel that the therapist to whom he has been referred is not a "good match" for one reason or another. We encourage you to call again and get another referral.

Does it cost? Will anyone know I am getting therapy?

Our clinicians volunteer their time and expertise. All sessions are free. The Soldiers Project does not report to any governmental agency, as it is a private, independent, non-profit group. No one will be told you are receiving therapy.

Where are the sessions held?

Your sessions are held in the private offices of the clinicians.

How many sessions can I have?

You can have as many sessions as you will need to help you deal with your unique issues.

What types of therapists are available? Are they trained to deal with war trauma?

Our volunteers are all fully trained and licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. They have participated in special training related to combat stress, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as the issues of deployment, combat, homecoming, and re-entry to civilian life.

Can I get treatment when I am in Iraq or Afghanistan or on short-term leave at home?

Yes, therapists will make themselves available via email for continued contact while you are on mission. When you are on leave at home, you can also have as many sessions as you would like, given the availability of the therapist.

 (Long Island, N.Y.) The first annual Motorcycle Run and Classic Car Rally in honor of PFC Joseph Dwyer will take place on Sunday, April 5, 2009 (rescheduled from March 29th due to the weather) at Riverhead County Center, 300 Center Drive in Riverhead at 11:00 A.M.  The event is being sponsored by www.HeroArmyPFCJosephDwyer.com and 9-1-1 Veterans, a non-profit organization that provides support and advocacy services for Long Island veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.  This first annual event is being held in honor of fallen hero soldier, PFC Joseph Dwyer.
 
PFC Joseph enlisted into the Army two days after September 11, 2001.  A native of Mt Sinai NY  on Long Island, Dwyer felt that is was patriotic duty to defend his country.  Dwyer served his country with honor, survived many battles in Iraq, to return home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Coping with PTSD was extremely challenging for Dwyer and his family and the illness eventually took the life of the hero soldier on June 28, 2008.  “Joe was truly a hero deeply devoted to his family and country,” said Christopher Delaney, founder of HeroArmyPFCJosephDwyer.com and one of Dwyer’s close friends.  “He never feared combat and was always aware of the dangers of war.  It is extremely sad that he couldn’t triumph over his battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which has already affected more than 30-percent of all returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan,” expressed Delaney.

The first annual “Hero Army PFC Joseph Dwyer Motorcycle and Classic Car Rally” will finish at Venetian Shores Park at 801 Granada Parkway in Babylon.  Sign in time for the event is from 9:00-10:45 A.M. in Riverhead.  The motorcycle run will be lead by Brian Dwyer, brother of PFC Joseph Dwyer.  Registration is $20.00 per motorcycle or car and $10.00 per passenger.  All proceeds will help raise awareness for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other service connected disabilities.  Registration includes a barbeque style lunch, beverages, 50/50 raffle, music and trophies for the best car and motorcycle.

To register, please log onto www.911veterans.com. 

To learn more about  PFC Joseph Dwyer or to assist his family’s mission to help all returning veterans diagnosed with PTSD, please log onto: www.HeroArmyPFCJosephDwyer.com.