Chattanooga events honor Wounded Warriors

photo John Boerstler, a manager with the Wounded Warrior Project, speaks to students Thursday at GPS.

Separate events here Thursday both honored wounded warriors and advocated public support of them.

At the Girls Preparatory School, Wounded Warrior Project manager John Boerstler spoke to students about his experiences in combat and his post-military work helping wounded service members adjust after leaving the armed forces.

"That is why the Wounded Warrior Project exists, to fill in the gaps that the government can't provide," Boerstler told a group of 17 students Thursday afternoon.

Boerstler was invited to speak at the school by GPS teacher and Chattanooga Times Free Press columnist David Cook.

May Chandler Gwin, a 15-year-old sophomore, said learning more of what the project offers for returning veterans was encouraging.

"They come back and serve for us and defend us and they can't find a job. That just pains me when I hear that," she said. "It makes me happy to hear they have opportunities like that."

Later Thursday evening at the Tennessee Aquarium an estimated 300 Navy League National conventiongoers attended a fundraiser reception for the Wounded Warrior Regiment.

The regiment is a U.S. Marine Corps unit of active-duty Marines in transition to full service or out of the military because of combat-related wounds.

Navy League National President Dan Branch said local leagues across the country work on behalf of Wounded Warriors.

The opportunity to show appreciation while raising money for the men and women is something the league is committed to for its national events.

The reception hosted four wounded Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Maj. Gen. Timothy C. "BT" Hanifen, head of the Corps' Expeditionary Warfare Division.

Hanifen said that events such as the reception help connect veterans with job opportunities and support networks in their communities while also informing the public about such veterans' needs.

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