The Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project Save Email Print
Posted: 12:28 AM Jul 20, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:42 AM Jul 20, 2008
 Reporter: Paul Gessler
Email Address: Paul.Gessler@wsaz.com
6 comments
A | A | A

KENOVA, W.Va., (WSAZ) -- Technology means more of our soldiers are making it home alive. But they are living and dealing with injuries that are truly life-changing.

Since the war began, 31,000 troops have been hurt in the Iraq War alone.

That's why the Wounded Warrior project was created. Andy Blake is in charge of the project in our region. He is a member of the 130th Airlift Wing out of Charleston.

"A lot of veterans are going to be coming back both physically damaged and mentally damaged," Blake said.

The Wounded Warrior project allows soldiers who are amputees the opportunity to golf and ski.

"We have traumatic brain injury here," Blake said. "We have amputees and we have severe burns."

Saturday afternoon, Andy set up shop at the Dreamland Pool hoping to raise money for fellow soldiers.
More Stories
Connecticut Firm to Design New Greenbrier Casino

Route 35 Accident Leads to More Concerns

Drug Arrests in Boyd County

Putnam County Man Drowns in New River, Name Released

 NTSB Confirms Two Dead in Wayne County Plane Crash

A Thousand Byrds

July 4th TEA Party

A Different Type of Strip Mining Protest
Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 31, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I KNOW THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPANIES THAT HELPED OUT WITH THIS, DAY RIC GRIFFITH (MAYOR), TIM IRR WSAZ, S&S TEAMWEAR,HERALD DISPATCH, JEFF ELLIS, A-Z RENTAL,DREAMLAND POOL,PAM KAROKE, ROUTE 60 MUSIC,RON MORRISON, ROLFES SLAUGHTER HOUSE,RON,WROBOSKLI, BEECH FORK, RIPLEYS AQUARIUM, CAMDEM PARK, MASTER CATTERS .COM AND OTHERS. BUT I KNOW THAT ONE GUY HAS PUT SO MUCH OF HIS TIME IN THIS ANDY BLAKE HE WAS THE ONE THAT PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND HAD LIL HELP OR REWARD FOR IT OTHER THAN SATISFACTION OF HELPING OUT SOME MILITARY PEOPLE. OTHER THAN HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT WAS THERE HELPING NO OTHER ORGANIZATION HELP WITH GETTING THINGS TOGETHER FOR THAT EVENT. I KNOW THAT THEY SAID THAT WERE OTHERS AT THE END THAT HELPED BUT THE HAD DONE NOTHING AT ALL...BUT THATS THE NEWS..SORRY ANDY YOU GOT YOUR WIND TAKING OUT OF YOUR SAILS FOR YOU AND YOUR WEBSITE... I SEEN WHAT YOU DID AND KNOW HOW MUCH HARD WORK YOU PUT IN IT!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WAS A VERY NICE THING THAT THE PEOPLE IN ARE TRI STATE DID FOR THE VETERENS,WAY TO GO GUYS AND A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO BILLY WHO WAS ON THE NEWS SINGING THE WHOLE PROGRAM WAS JUST GREAT THANKS BILLY FOR BRINGING YOUR EQUIPMENT FOR THE PUBLIC AND YES YOU ARE A PERFECT SINGER.AND THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED IN THIS PROGRAM
Posted by: Veteran on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:02 AM
My best friend has been severally traumatized by what happened to him while over seas. I for one thank you for doing what you did on Saturday at the pool. there must have been so much hard work that went into it. That guy, Jeff i think was his name really was a great singer and not sure but when that little girl sang that song with him i for one bring a veteran and a father of 3 it brought tears to my eyes as i noticed that a lot of people felt the same way. For a young girl to sing such a powerful song and you could tell she knew what was going on. Amazing and very powerful to bad the new didn't get that! Thanks for Helping out an older VET to show that people still care. God Bless everyone that was there and hope to see it again!
Posted by: andy blAKE on Jul 20, 2008 at 11:16 PM
thanks its gonna be bigger every year..thanks to all the guys especially Jeff Ellis he really helped out more than many know!!
Posted by: great on Jul 20, 2008 at 09:02 PM
i think this is a wonderful thing this man is doing,god bless you sir.and thanks again for fighting for our freedom.and the freedom of others.
Posted by: Anon on Jul 20, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Cool story! Great idea!
Go to our mobile site | Make this your homepage (IE)
WSAZ.com Most Popular / Most Comments
National News Headlines
PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354
The Yell: Comments for the Week of 7/5
Click Here to Read Story and Post Comments
First Warning Hour-By-Hour Forecasts
+ Ashland, KY
+ Athens, OH
+ Beckley, WV
+ Charleston, WV
+ Clarksburg, WV
+ Clay, WV
+ Gallipolis, OH
+ Huntington, WV
+ Ironton, OH
+ Logan, WV
+ Morgantown, WV 		+ Paintsville, KY
+ Parkersburg, WV
+ Pikeville, KY
+ Pomeroy, OH
+ Portsmouth,OH
+ Ripley, WV
+ Spencer, WV
+ Sutton, WV
+ Wayne, WV
+ Wheeling, WV
+ Williamson, WV
SearchKOW Business of the Day
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
Healthy Tri-State
Live a healthier lifestyle in 2009
SOMC
Very good things are happening here
Moms4Moms
By moms, for moms
WV Lottery
Nightly drawings and numbers
Big Sandy
For all your furniture and appliance needs