Writing for Heroes

Bob Woodruff Foundation seeks your stories

One in fifty post-9/11 veterans have sustained a physical combat injury. One in five suffers from post traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury or depression.

Sadly, the number of service members and veterans who commit suicide at home continues to rival those killed on the battlefield.

Yet for every painful story, there are many more accounts of hope, resilience and the refusal by our heroes to allow the wounds of war to define them.

At the Bob Woodruff Foundation, we hear these stories from our grantees on a daily basis; however, the vast majority of Americans have little idea as to what the military experience is, let alone the issues faced for those who have been injured.

… After all, only 1 percent of American citizens serve in our all-volunteer military.

It is our hope that we can expand the conversation, through Writing for Heroes, a collection of stories by our team and those we work with: grantees, caregivers, family members, and of course, those who have served.

We aim to show how veterans are helping veterans. We want tips for those who are just returning home, or tackling the challenges of caring for the injured. We want to learn from your experiences.

… What is working? What isn’t?

To do this, we need your help! Please consider becoming a contributing writer. We don’t ask for much—just that your work be your own, that you give credit where it’s due, and that it’s honest. (We of course will exert editorial control!)

For more information, contact the publication’s editor, Sam Kille.

(And sorry, but we can only pay you with smiles and shares across our social platforms.)

Photo: Veterans from several organizations, including Team Red, White and Blue, gathered in Central Park last fall for the VEThack Ruck March to End Veteran Suicide. The Bob Woodruff Foundation helped organizers with promotion and registration. Photo by G. Edwards.