Posted on Nov 29, 2014
Wounded veteran portrayal on commercials recently
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I'm all for raising money for our wounded and fallen, but these commercials recently have really been pushing the envelope. They are comparable to the "sad dog" or "starving children" commercials. I felt like this put these men and woman in an awkward position.
Are programs like Wounded Warrior Project going a little too far with these ads? Opinions from those that benefit from the program are encouraged.
Are programs like Wounded Warrior Project going a little too far with these ads? Opinions from those that benefit from the program are encouraged.
Posted in these groups: 
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Wounded Warriors Social Media
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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There are some sad stories of our brothers and sisters who have fallen on hard times for whatever reason. I would hope that they would want to be portrayed with pride and dignity, not with the self pity like some of these commercials are doing, even though that maybe closer to the truth in some cases. All SM once stood and continue to stand proud and that type of advertising, IMHO, ruins it.
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1LT William Clardy
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, I am one of those who think that subsisting on handouts is corrosive to a man's soul. I am also not a huge fan of the Wounded Warrior project, due to suspicions that it has started to devolve into Just Another "Non-Profit".
That said, I can't say that I've seen any WWP commercials which portray the (at least nominal) beneficiaries as sad victims. My impression has been that they, and their family members, come across as valiant folks grateful for assistance in coping with a life none of them deserve. Maybe it's just me being sappy, but I respect anybody who refuses to surrender to a burden that frequently is overwhelming.
In the WWP commercial that I've seen countless Sundays, I see nothing to be ashamed of in a loving wife staying with and caring for her blind husband, or a pre-teen daughter who still sees him as her hero despite his wounds.
In the WWP commercial that SSG V. Michelle Woods linked to, I see a soldier relearning to walk and getting emotional when expressing his gratitude. Would you rather he present himself more stoically while describing how grateful he is for some help? How stoic were you the last time somebody saved your life?
That said, I can't say that I've seen any WWP commercials which portray the (at least nominal) beneficiaries as sad victims. My impression has been that they, and their family members, come across as valiant folks grateful for assistance in coping with a life none of them deserve. Maybe it's just me being sappy, but I respect anybody who refuses to surrender to a burden that frequently is overwhelming.
In the WWP commercial that I've seen countless Sundays, I see nothing to be ashamed of in a loving wife staying with and caring for her blind husband, or a pre-teen daughter who still sees him as her hero despite his wounds.
In the WWP commercial that SSG V. Michelle Woods linked to, I see a soldier relearning to walk and getting emotional when expressing his gratitude. Would you rather he present himself more stoically while describing how grateful he is for some help? How stoic were you the last time somebody saved your life?
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Wounded Warrior Project has been on a downward slide as far as credibility goes for a while now.
So, is this really a surprise?
So, is this really a surprise?
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
Not at all. Its sad that at some point even the well intended charities take this route though.
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CW2 Joseph Evans
It is hard for some of them. You need money to provide for these charities. Portraying successful, proud veterans doesn't yank the heartstrings or play on the guilt needed to open wallets. The consideration that WWP really doesn't have a lot of long term success stories doesn't help either.
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As a Viet Nam era and some post Viet Nam service (1971-1977 USMC), I don't recall any civilian charity groups wanting to help the vets from Viet Nam and other conflicts (Grenada, Panama, Gulf War and others up to 9/11). Can't understand why public would not fully support VETS from ALL WARS/CONFLICTS we were willing to serve in.
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Although WWP is a decent organization, I'm sure they could find better ways of spending their money. Last year it was reported that only 58% of donations went directly into veteran programs. In contract, Fisher House is about 95%. WWP takes in a lot of money so dollar to dollar I'm sure it helps out a lot. It grew from a group of 6 that put supplies in backpacks for injured soldiers at Walter Reed to being the front runner of veteran non profit organizations. AAR/azimuth checks should be periodically done to see where they were, where they are now, and where can they go with their success.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/26/wounded-warriors-project-under-fire.html
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/26/wounded-warriors-project-under-fire.html
Wounded Warrior Project Under Fire
Over the past decade, it has become one of the celebrated charities in the country but is this veterans group everything it says it is?
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Yeah i saw a commercial the other day from WWP. My thing is i really don't care for WWP when ever asked if a person should give money to WWP i say no i would give to the DAV. WWP does some great work for the wounded warrior population but it seems to me they are turning to a corporation and more worried about there bottom line. But like let me just state this is just my opinion from observation.
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CMSgt James Nolan
That almost always becomes/seems to become the case doesn't it? Because when it got started, I was all about some WWP
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PO2 Corey Ferretti
I'm up here near fort drum and they have a clothing line with WWP logo and it's like 40 bucks for a shirt. I was like man how much of that actually goes back to the Wounded warrior
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I dont benefit from the program but I must say, in my opinion your post is pretty offensive. I hate that word "offensive" because it is so overused these days but I assure you, I am not one to get offended easily especially over someone else's personal opinion.
I just find it offensive because it seems you think their story shouldn't be shared in the realistic albeit sometimes gruesome way.
And please forgive me if I misinterpreted your post. I am sincerely interested in your perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYRn6xHZ0Ho
I just find it offensive because it seems you think their story shouldn't be shared in the realistic albeit sometimes gruesome way.
And please forgive me if I misinterpreted your post. I am sincerely interested in your perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYRn6xHZ0Ho
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CW2 Joseph Evans
There are some music videos that have done a really good job... Five Finger Death Punch did a great one, in my opinion.
http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com/2014/08/wrong-side-of-heaven-video-premiere-5fdp4vets-campaign-launch/
http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com/2014/08/wrong-side-of-heaven-video-premiere-5fdp4vets-campaign-launch/
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
SPC D W. I see SSG V. Michelle Woods's point and can appreciate it. Raw trauma could be a way to go. I didn't think of this before but there was a posting just a few days ago about whether or not civilian mental health workers can understand the military and what we go through. My thought was that they may not see, relate to and understand the unique circumstances that we face, but the conditions, treatment and symptoms of say TBI and PTS are pretty much the same military or civilian. Perhaps to get civilians to understand a SM's/vet's perspective we have to show it in its raw form. I still stand by my original opinion from the point of view of stereotyping and potentially degrading how we are perceived, but I would always take in what SSG Woods has to say especially since this touches on her PA background.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
CPT(P) (Join to see) ok that makes sense. Thank you for explaining your perspective.
CW2 Joseph Evans oh my goodness, if you want to watch me go from hard core super troop (lol) to bawling hysterically, stereotypical girl then play that video. Such a kickass song and video!!!
CW2 Joseph Evans oh my goodness, if you want to watch me go from hard core super troop (lol) to bawling hysterically, stereotypical girl then play that video. Such a kickass song and video!!!
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