Success Stories
Since its inception in the Spring of 2008, WVFV has been honored to help close to 200 Veterans transition from military life to a civilian career by garnering the "Vessels" they require. Our mission is simple...To thank our service men and women by helping them along their next career path.Work Vessels for Vets June 4 Benefit Concert
RECAP: Veterans Benefit from Concert
"That was a very impressive event in many ways. Your vision, passion and hard work made it happen, and will continue to make it happen, as your organization grows.
I especially liked the honor guard with the American flag and the Star Spangled Banner – it reminded me about the meaning of patriotism and that we need a potent armed service to protect this wonderful country of ours. The presentations that were made to the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were moving. I could also sense the passion for the WVFV mission that the entertainers exuded.
Your organization not only has been taking care of servicemen in many ways, but also WVFV reminds us civilians that the veterans can benefit from our help and that each of us should assist.
Congratulations to you and your WVFV team for a wonderfully successful and very entertaining night!"
Steve
Mystic, CT
"VETERAN'S FARM" JACKSONVILLE, FL
Visit Adam's website at www.veteransfarm.com
LOBSTER BOAT IN WESTPORT, MA
WVFV arranged the transfer of a 39 foot lobster boat donated by Westport, MA lobsterman Timothy Field, to Army Reservist Chris Pinto. Chris will be lobstering upon his return from Afghanistan in Plymouth, MA.
ARMY VETERAN IN COLUMBUS, OH
WVFV presented disabled Army Veteran Mark Mix with a generator for his mobile detailing business.
CENTRAL JERSEY RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB IN JACKSON, NJ
WVFV joined with an event at the CJRPC honoring the Wounded Warrior Foundation members that come that day.
OPERATION LOBSTER DINNER IN GROTON CT
Grossman's Seafood thanked the Naval Submarine Base community by providing 500 lobster dinners in the first annual "Operation Lobster Dinner" benefitting WVFV.
UTILITY VAN DONATION IN CONNECTICUT
The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition in Columbus, Ohio
WVFV presented the local Wounded Warrior Chapter with a 22 foot boat donated by Delta Marine. The boat is utilized to take disabled vets fishing, skiing and tubing on Lake Erie.
Connecticut Veterans received laptops.
Edwin Rivera
Jennifer Delgado, United States Army
Juan Manual Sanchez
Carla Arroya Vega, United States Navy
Tyeona Fletcher, United States Army
Matt Rossi, United States Marine Corps
Patrick Hackett, Army National Guard
David Castro, Jr., United States Marine Corps
David Perrotti, United States Air Force
James Charles, United States Army
Glenwood Anderson
In reaching out to WVFV, these are small sections of letters and requests we had received from these men and women:
“…I am currently a full time student at Naugatuck Valley Community College. I am taking 5 courses this year and a lap top would be very useful. I am pursuing a career in Business management and will graduate this May with honors. I am also scheduled to go on my third tour this August for a year…”
Sgt, Tyeona Fletcher
February 6, 2009
“…Due to my injury I am unable to return to my previous line of work in real estate rehabilitation….I am quickly learning the necessity of having my own computer in order to be successful. ..however, going to school full time is going to be a tremendous financial hardship …and I simply do not have the extra funds available to purchase a laptop myself. Therefore, I hope you will find me a worthy candidate to receive one…”
Matthew T. Rossi, February 9, 2009
United States Marine Corps
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Recipient
“…I am a veteran of the United States, Marine Corps….I am currently pursuing a career in Business and would greatly benefit from having my own PC. This would enable me to complete course work from home and after graduation, I would use the computer to begin my own business….I am currently working two jobs to support my family….a laptop would help me complete my degree so that I may become a better provider for my family…”
David Castro, Jr.
United States Marine Corps.
February 2009
Lance Cpl Richard Giguere, United States Marine Corp
Lance Cpl, Richard Giguere completed two tours in Iraq: from January to September 2005 and the second from January to September 2007 working at the Al Asad Air Base outside of Bagdad. On the base where he repaired trucks for convoy missions, it was a long way from his home in Chepachet, Rhode Island and quahogging along the shores of Narragansett Bay. But an article in Soundings Magazine about a lobsterman in Connecticut donating his fishing boat to a veteran interested in a commercial fishing career changed everything: both for Mr. Giguere and for donor, John Niekrash. This donation launched Work Vessels for Vets and Mr. Giguere was the first of many to be assisted.
(L to R) Lance Cpl Richard Giguere, (then fiancée) Ashley Barry, Senator Joseph Lieberman, CT, and John Niekrash at the inaugural donation ceremony, Noank Shipyard, Noank, CT April 4, 2008.
Richard has utilized the Krasher III to provide for his young family by dragging, fish trapping and clamming. In January 2010, Richard was again called back to military service and is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He looks forward to resuming his fishing career in the months ahead upon his return home.
Richard is a founding board member of the Work Vessels for Vets Foundation and we wish him Godspeed as he again travels to a foreign land to help preserve our freedoms here in the United States.
Future Success Stories
Adam Burke
For nine years Adam Burke has served his country in the United States Army. During a patrol in the Iraqi city of In Balad, a mortar destroyed the humvee in which he was riding. Adam was left ninety percent disabled. A Purple Heart recipient he returned from Iraq suddenly thrust into the reality of creating a new life with new challenges – challenges his nine year military career had not nor could not prepare him for.
With help from the Farmer’s Veterans Coalition and Project Evergreen, both non-profit organizations like WFVF, Adam has started a small blueberry farm in Webster, Florida and is looking to add a second farm closer to his treatment facility in Jacksonville, Florida. WVFV is actively involved in the fund raising necessary in assisting Adam in the purchase of the new land.
Adam is not only looking to transition himself into his new career but to also help others. A place where other wounded veterans can go to work, exercise a “horticulture therapy” to help in their rehabilitation. He would like to expand his efforts to provide veteran employment providing bush-hogging services for the rural properties surrounding his farm. His disability has not hampered his desire or efforts to assist his fellow soldiers. His Veteran’s Administration patient advocate suggested he contact us for assistance.
Veteran: Adam Burke
Military Service: United States Army
Project: Blueberry Farm
Project Location: Webster, Florida
Vessels Needed: Tools such as small tractors, trucks, carts and other farming equipment.
Assistance Needed: Potential transport services to delivery equipment to Florida
Financial Donations: To be used to supplement purchasing of equipment or transportation
