University of the District of Columbia Honors Military, Partakes in Wounded Warrior Project
WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia held a Military Appreciation Night during its East Coast Conference basketball doubleheader against the University of Bridgeport on Wednesday, January 30th to honor the nation's active military and veterans. In partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project, the Firebirds played host to wounded veteran, Michael Allison and his son, Omar.
Over 48,000 service members have been physically wounded in the current conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands more have been attempting to recuperate from invisible injuries. These wounds include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increasing depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors and make this the most successful and well-adjusted group of veterans in our nation's history. The organization gives support to thousands of Wounded Warriors and caregivers each year through programs that are designed to nurture the mind and body, as well as encourage economic engagement and empowerment.
The purpose of the Wounded Warrior Project is to raise awareness and engage the aid of the public for our wounded military. They also seek to provide service men and women with the means to assist each other, as well as to offer unique, direct programs and services to meet their individual needs. The organization also looks to support the families, aid in recovery, and provide a smooth transition back into civilian life for our service members by means of Family Support Retreats, combat stress programs, as well as career and education programs.
Allison hails from Saint Catherine's, Jamaica, and he just recently moved to the Washington, DC area from Miami, Florida. He was a sergeant in the Marine Core, serving his country for eight years. He was stationed in Camp Lejuene, North Carolina, Okinawa, Japan, Quantico, Virginia, and Iraq, among other places. During his service, Allison earned the distinction as a Purple Heart Recipient. While deployed in Iraq, he was hit by shrapnel from a Vehicle Born Explosive Device or VBED.
The University of the District of Columbia thanked Sergeant Michael Allison for his years of service by having him sit on the bench with the men's basketball team during its game and honoring him during a halftime ceremony.