Wounded veteran portrayal on commercials recently

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 11:13:40 -0500

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.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 29 at 2014 5:09 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 17:09:44 -0500

Wounded Warrior Project has been on a downward slide as far as credibility goes for a while now.

So, is this really a surprise?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 29 at 2014 5:36 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 17:36:13 -0500

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.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Nov 29 at 2014 6:30 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 18:30:48 -0500

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

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Nov 29 at 2014 7:26 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 19:26:33 -0500

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.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2014 8:06 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 20:06:55 -0500

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

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?

Response by Sgt Vince P made Jan 17 at 2015 7:02 PM

Sgt Vince P — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 19:02:12 -0500

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.